Studies in Genesis Part 6: The Children of Adam Genesis 4-5
Genesis 1-3 – Review
Chapter 1 Beginning of the Universe
Created by the Eternal God by His Word
Chapter 2-3 Beginning of the Human Race
Created by God
Male and female
It was good
Chapter 3 - Beginning of Sin - Root of Sin
Deceit – Eve deceived by serpent (Satan)
Willfully disobedient – Adam
Genesis 3 to Revelation 20 - Results and Progress of Sin Death
Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned
CAIN - ACQUIRED A MAN
Genesis 4:1-2 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.
ABEL- BREATH, VAPOR, ASCENDS
Abel - Spiritual son from NT references – Hebrews 11 – an example of faith
Abel a Shepherd – Cain a tiller of the ground
Agriculture and the domestication of animals were practiced among the earliest humans. Adam and his descendants did not spend tens of thousands of years living as hunter-gatherer cave dwellers.
Cain & Abel – their offerings
Genesis 4:3-5 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.
In the process of time, end of days
Infers a set time
Infers instruction by God – importance of offering for sin
Pattern of animal sacrifice – shedding of life-blood required.
Abel's Sacrifice – Lamb – firstling - fat
Respected by God
Sad – loss of life
Not beautiful
Blood
Cain's Sacrifice - Grains, Plants
Not respected by God
Exciting – beautiful harvest
No blood
In the process of time, end of days
Infers a set time
Infers instruction by God – importance of offering for sin
Pattern of animal sacrifice – shedding of life-blood required.
Abel's Sacrifice – Lamb – firstling - fat
Respected by God
Sad – loss of life
Not beautiful
Blood
Cain's Sacrifice - Grains, Plants
Not respected by God
Exciting – beautiful harvest
No blood
In the process of time, end of days
Infers a set time
Infers instruction by God – importance of offering for sin
Pattern of animal sacrifice – shedding of life-blood required.
Abel's Sacrifice – Lamb – firstling - fat
Respected by God
Sad – loss of life
Not beautiful
BloodRomans 15:4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.
1 John 3:11-12 For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; (12) not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother's were righteous.
Jude 1:11 Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.
God’s Mercy – Cain’s Second Chance
Genesis 4:7 NLT You will be accepted if you respond in the right way. But if you refuse to respond correctly, then watch out! Sin is waiting to attack and destroy you, and you must subdue it."
Cain – religious, but a false worshipper
Pride
Anger
Judging others
Making his own way to God
Sin in the heart –
Crouches at the door
Desires to control us
Must rule over it (subdue it) – through Jesus Christ, the Word of God, the Holy Spirit
First mention of sin in the Bible
Given a second chance
Murder of Abel
Genesis 4:8-12
