Genesis 4:1-17

¹ “Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” ² And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. ³ In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, ⁴ and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering,⁵ but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. ⁶ The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? ⁷  If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” ⁸ Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. ⁹ Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” ¹⁰ And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. ¹¹ And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.¹² When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” ¹³ Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. ¹⁴ Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” ¹⁵ Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him. ¹⁶ Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. ¹⁷ Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. When he built a city, he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch.”

James 1:15 “Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”

There are at least seven profound theological principles given in these fourteen verses. As the Lord allows, I plan to work through all seven of them next Sunday morning!

Here are some of the key questions that come to mind as I read through these verses:

Why does God allow people to be born and live in the world who are going to commit horrific crimes later in their life?

Even though God knew full well what Cain was going to do; God allowed him to be born and grow up – and, God did not stop him from doing what he did. But, God still held Cain accountable for (and punished him for) what he did!

Why is it that not every child of godly parents turns out to be a godly person?

God both commands and demands to be worshiped the way HE desires. Why will HE not accept any other form of worship?

Whether we like to accept this or not, this is a fallen, broken, and sin cursed world; and in this fallen, broken, and sin cursed world people really do horrific things to one another!

What will happen to those who do not repent of their sins and trust Jesus Christ as their Savior?

Are the repercussions upon the sins of sinners something that only occurs in this present life?

If someone is going to die and go to hell, is it true that God’s continuing goodness to unsaved people as long as they live another form of HIS righteous judgment upon them?

This is a very informative and foundational passage of Scripture. I hope you will take the time to read over, pray over, and think through these seventeen verses as you prepare your mind to hear God’s Word on Sunday!

I hope to see you Sunday with a smile on your face, your Bible in your hand, and you family and friends by your side!