The Murder (Gen 4:1-26)

This chapter shows mankind plunging further into sin, with Cain murdering his brother and his descendant Lamech taking indiscriminate revenge. Although they have been expelled from the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve are enabled by God to have two sons. With them rests the hope of an offspring who will overcome the serpent. When Cain callously murders his righteous brother Abel, however, evil seems to triumph. Any hope that Cain’s descendants will reverse this trend appears remote when Lamech boasts of killing a man simply for striking him. Against this background the brief announcement of Seth’s birth to replace Abel offers fresh hope.” (ESV Study Bible Notes on Gen 4)

(A) The murder of Abel by Cain shows us how sin is a dangerous predator and is directed aggressively at God (Gen 4:1-7)

This chapter begins with the word “now”. This is a storytelling device, and helps us to make the link to the previous chapter. We read of how Eve named her son “Cain”, which means “gotten”. Here, we see the continuation of God’s original plan for man – to multiply and have children. Following Gen 3:15, it is more important and special that she recognizes that this son was given by God, and part of His special plan. With each child meant a step closer to the One to come that would solve the problems associated with the fall.

In Gen 4, we read of how people begun to worship God, and the sons of Adam learnt that they needed to bring God an offering. Despite the fall and the broken vertical relationship, we see that God still demanded a relationship.

Abel brought the first born of his flock and the fat portions, signifying the most expensive of his produce. He gave God the best. In contrast, Cain just offered what was convenient, a portion of some of his fruits. Cain and Abel showed a difference in their priorities. This is a God that cares more about how we worship. It is not unreasonable because He is the Creator God (as we’ve read in previous chapters!) and He is worth it. The best is clearly worth it for the one who brought everything.

There is a lesson for us here too. Even for us, though we are sinners, we do not stop relating to Him! And when we do, we should give Him the best because He is worth it. Do we see His worth and can we proclaim it like David in 1 Chron 21:21-26? This is a God who makes demands. What do we think of Him? Is He merely a subject that we turn to when it’s convenient?

Cain got angry when God did not regard his offering. Yet, in Gen 4:6-7, we see a patient God who took time to explain to a sinner. Sin was described as a person/animal with an intention and seeking opportunities to rule man. Man is given a command to rule over it instead. What do we really think about sin? Are we wary of it? Sin begins with desire, and it seeks to control. It looks to control our lives, little by little, until it consumes completely.

In Genesis 4, we have a rudimentary understanding of sin but we see that it is different from a God who is good. It seeks to dominate and is basically anti-God in nature.

(B) The murder of Abel shows us how our God is the merciful judge of all the earth (Gen 4:8-16)

Cain not only murdered his brother, but also answered God defiantly, with obvious contempt in his voice (Gen 4:8-9). There is a wordplay in the text on the word “keeper”.

In reading the account of his reaction, we really see how sin grows. Cain had multiple opportunities to confess and repent, but he did not and continued in his sin. What about us? Do we also pretend and reason away the severity of our sins?

How did God react? Just like how he cursed Man in Gen 3, God cursed Cain too and sent him away from His presence (Gen 4:10-12). What was different here was that Cain did not confess and own up, unlike Adam. Furthermore, two offended parties were present here – God and now Abel. This is clearly a consistent and fair (righteous) God. Abel’s innocent blood calls out to a God who hears. This is a God who judges. It continues to emphasise the point that horizontal sin is tied to vertical sin. All sin is directed at God.

How does the idea that God is our Judge give us hope today? The world’s injustice will be dealt with. The Bible does address the worst things the world faces. Yet we are reminded that forgiveness with no price is cheap forgiveness. Forgiveness did come at a cost.

Cain cries out to God in fear and desperation and recognized that he would not have protection, comfort and security that being in the presence of God will have (Gen 4:13-16). God was merciful and still provided protection. He did not give Cain what he deserved. In the same way, there is never a moment in our lives when we are not living in His mercies. We are like Cain in so many ways, always turning against God, but He is still ever so patient with us! Stand and be amazed and marvel at this God.

(C) The murder of Abel points realistically to a complicated world that is simultaneously getting worse and better at the same time (Gen 4:17-26)

What happened to Cain after being cursed and judged by God? Is that the end of his story? As we read on in Gen 4, we read of how a kind God gives Cain a wife and sons, and he builds a city. Cities stood for safety and places of refuge. Cain definitely got more than he deserved!

As the story unfolds, we read of Lamech who violated the monogamous marriage institution and took two wives (fulfilling the curse in Gen 3:16). Lamech took indiscriminate revenge (Gen 4:23), which was clearly not justice, and boasted in it! Without a doubt, sin had taken control of man and the cities than man lived in. Genesis 4 reveals the depravity of man with such clarity. Yes, the world is messed up.

Amidst the depressing backdrop, we read of how Eve was given another son, Seth, whose name carries the idea of “appointed” (Gen 4:25-26). The Bible is not just a book of powerful realism, but also a book of gracious hope. In this part of Genesis, people also began to call upon the name of the Lord. God was still going to continue His plan! Matt 13:24-30 reminds us that God will work in the proper time. All that we’ve learnt and read so far can only be a comfort if we believe that all He says is true! In Heb 12:22-24, we read of a better city, the city of the living God. Our entry into this city is only made possible through the blood of one more innocent than Abel – Christ. His death enables all the Cains who profess faith in Him to come. At the end of it all, punishment will either be suffered by humans in hell, or it would be already borne by Christ. For the Christian, are you growing to look forward to meeting the one who shed it all?