Genesis 4

Cain and Abel (vs. 1-15)--Adam and Eve began their family. Possibly, Cain and Abel were the first two children born to them. Genesis 5:4 says that Adam had “sons and daughters,” but we don’t know how many or the order in which they were born. We’re only given information about the significant ones. Anyway, Cain became a farmer and Abel a shepherd.

Because of sin, God had/has always required some kind of sacrifice from humans, and apparently, such an order was placed before the two brothers. Abel brought from his flock, and Cain from his farm produce; Abel’s sacrifice was accepted, Cain’s wasn’t. The Bible doesn’t say exactly why Cain’s offering was rejected by God. The closest we get to an explanation is Hebrews 11:4—“By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.” Since faith comes from hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17), it’s fair to deduce that God had told the brothers what kind of offering He wanted and Cain simply disobeyed. I find it interesting that Hebrews 11:4 says that Abel, “being dead still speaks.” We don’t have one word recorded in the Bible that Abel ever said, but yet…he still speaks through his obedience to God. Most of the best sermons we will ever hear are the ones we see.

Cain was disgruntled about his offering being rejected, and God reproved him for it. Still not satisfied, Cain kills Abel, the first murder in human history. God’s punishment of Cain was pretty severe, but it could have been worse—he apparently was no longer able to live among his family. He went east to a land called Nod (he may have named it), bore a son named Enoch, then started a town named after his son. Who was Cain’s wife? Probably one of his sisters, since Eve “was the mother of all living” (Genesis 3:19). There would have been no stigma attached in that day to such a marriage; in fact, it would have been necessary.

Cain's descendents (vs. 19-24)--Moses then does what he does frequently in Genesis—he gets the lesser out of the way so that he can move on to the greater. Cain’s genealogy—and the Messiah will not come from him—is briefly recounted. Then the more important, Messianic line will be taken up in chapter 5. Apparently Cain’s descendents weren’t any more spiritual than he was; in fact, we have proof that they weren’t in chapter 6. But a certain Lamech, the fifth in Cain’s line, was a polygamist and a murderer. There was, however, some talent in the family—we see the first herdsman, musician, and smithy in history (4:20-22).

Seth and the Messianic line (vs. 25-26)--The chapter ends on a very important note: the birth of Seth, who will be the son through whom the Messiah will descend. And I find it interesting what Eve said at Seth’s birth: “For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed” (v. 25). I’ve always took that to mean that God intended Abel to be the chosen son for the Messianic line. But the devil, always trying to spoil God’s plan for man’s redemption, took care of Abel through Cain. The Lord, however, will not be stopped; hence, the birth of Seth.