[Genesis 4:1-15 KJV] “And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.”
“And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof.”
“And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?”
“If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.”
“And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper? And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.”
“And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand; when thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.”
“And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.”
“And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.”
Every man’s life tells a story but the life of Cain tells very important stories and teaches great lessons. A careful study of the life of Cain teaches us to;
- Always offer our sacrifice by faith!
- Remember that if we do well, we will be praise
- Sin does not consume in a moment; it takes time.
- God answers every man’s prayer for mercy
We know that when Cain and Abel went to sacrifice unto God; He had respect for Abel’s sacrifice because he offered it by faith. Hebrews 11 reveal that by faith Abel offered a better sacrifice. We know that God requires that we offer sacrifices, and this must be done by faith.
The Bible teaches that Cain’s countenance fell because his sacrifice was not accepted; but God told him if he had done well, his sacrifice would have been accepted. When you do well you will be accepted. We must learn to do well if we want to be appreciated.
We know that when Cain conceived to murder Abel; he was warned. Sin did not consume him in a day. Sin was lying at his door and he had what it takes to master it. You can master the sins that couch at your door.
Finally, after Cain killed his brother, the ground that opened its mouth to receive the blood of Abel cried for vengeance. When the curse and vengeance was pronounced; Cain pleaded for mercy and God answered that prayer. Blessed is the man that does not conceal his sins and his sins are forgiven.
Stay blessed