In Genesis chapter 4 we have the story of Cain's murder of his brother Abel because he was jealous that God accepted Abel's offering of the first of the flocks, when Cain just gave some fruit to God. The Lord asked Cain why he was angry? The Lord reminded Cain that if he would choose to obey, he would be accepted, but Cain did not listen. The Lord heard Abel's blood crying from the ground, and he asked Cain where was his brother. To this Cain lied and then talked back to the Lord and said, "Am I my brother's keeper?" Cain was the first human to be cursed in Scripture, and Cain cried out to God that his punishment was too severe, so God even then gave out more mercy, and placed a mark of some sort on Cain, so that no one would kill him. We also see that the 4th generation of Cain, Lamech, had two wives and 4 children. This is the first marriage of polygamy. Here Lamech bragged to his wives about killing two men, and he told them to listen and heed what he said. In other words, he was threatening them that he was a murderer, and to remember that. The story of Cain's descendant shows us how humanity is getting continually worse. Cain's sin and response was worse than his parents, and Lamech's sin and response is worst than both. Thankfully, the story does not end there. Adam and Eve had a third son, Seth. Eve said, "For God has appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew." After the promise of the one who was to come from God, having children became a big deal for women in Scripture. After Seth was born, then people began to call upon the name of the Lord. We have hope!
