V A N I T Y , V E X A T I O N O F S P I R I T ! Ask what is vanity and vexation of spirit. V A N I T Y , V E X A T I O N O F S P I R I T ! Life outside the garden is hard, all too quickly the natural man becomes weary, and without God, life is empty. Adam and Eve start with hope, but as this chapter unfolds, the way back is difficult, long, and prone to failure.

HOW DOES EVE HERE SHOW HER FAITH? Gen.4:1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain <7014>, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. 7014 Qayin {kah'-yin} AV - Cain 17, Kenite 1; 18. From 7013 “qayin” spear. They thought Cain would smite the serpent. “iysh eth Yehovah” = I have gotten a man, the Yahweh. Unfortunately the translators poorly translate v.1 because of their misunderstanding of the meaning of Yahweh. Eve thought Cain was the “He who shall be”. This gives insight to her faith.

WHAT MAY SHOW THAT CAIN AND ABEL WERE NOT TWINS? Gen. 4:2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain <1893> was a tiller of the ground. [3] And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 1893 Hebel {heh'-bel} AV - Abel 8; 8, (Abel = breath, emptiness, vanity) This in contrast to Cain (“I have gotten the Yahweh”) This seems to show Abel’s birth was after Cain’s and the empty routine of life had set in.

QUESTION --– WHY was it “more excellent”? Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent <4119> sacrifice than Cain, … 4119 pleion {pli-own} AV - more 23, many 12, misc. 21; 56 Abel’s offering recognized the principle required for atonement. Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. In Mosaic law the blood is a type of the life, and the fat, the inner man, namely the attitude. God requires we worship Him in “spirit and truth”. Cain’s “spirit” (attitude) wasn’t right and his sacrifice wasn’t as complete (appropriate) as Abel’s. Today’s Church is all love and no truth. He didn’t bring the “best” he had as Abel did.

WAS IT THE OFFERING OR CAIN, GOD DIDN’T RESPECT? Genesis 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect <8159> unto Abel and to his offering: [5] But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. <8159> And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 8159 sha`ah {shaw-aw'} AV - look 5, respect 3, dismay 2, turn 1, regard 1, spare 1, be dim 1, depart 1; 15 Both, v.5 “unto Cain and his offering”. Cain felt he could worship God his way and this parallels the attitude of so many today but that is not the counsel of the Bible. John 4:23 “…when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.”

Important doctrinal observation Today there is the common notion: Believe in God, & worship Him your own way But Cain believed in God And Cain sacrificed to God Yet God rejected Cain’s sacrifice for We must worship God in spirit and in truth!

Two Religions Law based - Cain Principle based - Abel Outward veneer of following rules and instructions. No emphasis on quality of of service. Does not promote love for others. Of the ground (works based) and not the best Principle based - Abel God manifestation following rules and instructions Based on principles of honour to God with a willing heart. Based on principle of sacrificing self for others Principle of sacrifice, fat (best) of the offering to God.

THE WILD ANIMAL NATURE WITHIN? HOW DO WE MASTER THE WILD ANIMAL NATURE WITHIN? Gen. 4:6 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? [7] If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." (NIV) Scripture loves to personify words. Sin is personified as a wild animal v.7, “blood” as crying in v.10 and “earth” opening her mouth By following Jesus who countered his nature by: The power of scripture, The joy set before him And ultimately by crucifying it.

ARE WE OUR BROTHER’S KEEPER? Genesis 4:9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? Yes, 1Thes.5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. The context “brethren” is the ecclesia “all men” includes those who are not. Matthew5:14 Ye are the light of the world ... 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. So we are the light to the world that the world might see --- how -- by our good works. This is a key difference from the way we are to warn those in the ecclesia.

The Accusation of Blood Murder: The Accusation of Blood “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.” 4:10 What was Cain’s response? Selfish -- They will slay ME! Self-sympathy – my punishment is greater than I can bear. What makes this come alive for us? The judgment seat of Christ!

How appropriate was this punishment? Genesis 4:10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. 11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand; Very appropriate for first the ground was cursed having received the blood of his brother and Cain was cursed from receiving benefits from the ground, from enjoying the fruits of it or being able to settle and dwell in it. This forced Cain to become a fugitive and vagabond and to say his punishment was more than he could bear. Psa. 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

Crime and Punishment Adam Cain and he ate it… and they hid from the LORD God Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him “Where are you?” “Where is your brother?” “The woman you put here with me - she gave me…” “I don’t know… am I my brother’s keeper?” “Cursed is the ground because of you” So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden “[the ground] will no longer yield its crops for you. ” So Cain went out from the LORD’s presence… east of Eden.

Was Cain's punishment more than he could bear? Gen. 4:12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength (use up the ground Lk.13:7); a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. 13 And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment (guilt) is greater than I can bear. 14 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. Cain saw in his punishment more than what God had declared. He saw himself hid from God’s face which meant that he saw himself excluded from redemption. Trying to kill Cain was real. Under Mosaic Law it was the duty of the avenger of blood. Today it is the justice system. Back in Cain’s time we do not know what the Edenic laws were for murder but they must have been severe for God puts a mark on him.

Cain as an allegory of Israel Legalistic outward veneer of true religion Persecuting spirit against the true believers Inability of religion to bear fruit No removal of inquity/guilt For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins

WHAT WAS THE MARK SET UPON CAIN? Gen.4:15 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. 226 'owth {oth} AV - sign(s) 60, token(s) 14, ensign(s) 2, miracles 2, mark 1; 79 Rev.13:16 speaks of a mark in their right hand and forehead but the Revelation is in sign and symbol. Genesis is first literal therefore this mark is thought to be literal. There is no direct Biblical support to what this mark was. It is suggest a serpent because of 1John 3:12 & John 8:44. 1Jn.3:12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning,….

IT IS THOUGHT THAT THERE WAS A SPECIAL PLACE OF WORSHIP WHERE THE CHERUBIMS AND FLAMMING SWORD WERE JUST OUTSIDE EDEN. Gen.4:16 And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden. This could show Cain wasn’t close to this place of worship and had separated himself from God.

WHERE DID CAIN’S WIFE COME FROM? Genesis 4:17 And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch. Bible genealogies do not mention the birth of daughters. Cain naturally married his sister and Scripture not wanting to establish a precedent does not give the details. City here means city and Cain built it but his punishment as a vagabond and fugitive meant he didn’t live in it nor was it called by his name.

THESE THREE SONS LAY THE FOUNDATION OF WHAT THREE INDUSTRIES? Gen.4:19 And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. [20] And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle. [21] And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ. [22] And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah. COMMERCE, PLEASURE AND POWER

LAMECH’S SONG SWORD Gen.4:23 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt. [24] If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold. (Companion Bible) “I can kill a man for wounding me, and a young man for hurting me.” Jesus turned this boast of pride of killing and wounding to forgiving! (Mt. 18:22 – forgive 70X7) What a contrast between the seed of the serpent and that of the woman!

WAS ADAM ALIVE WHEN NOAH WAS BORN? Gen. 7:5 – Noah born 1056 years after creation

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD? Genesis 4:26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called <7121> his name Enos: then began men to call <7121> upon the name of the LORD. 7121 qara' {kaw-raw'} AV - call 528, cried 98, read 38, proclaim 36, named 7, guests 4,invited 3, gave 3, renowned 3, bidden 2, preach 2, misc 11; 735 Identical phrase: (Gen.12:8 … and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD. Gen. 26:25 And he builded an altar there, and called upon the name of the LORD, … It is thought prayer was introduced as distinguished from earlier worship where man talked with the angels, (Gen. 3:8-19; 4:1-7).

SEED OF THE SERPENT (CAIN) CONTRASTED TO THE SEED OF THE WOMAN (SETH). John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. Key question: In time before the flood, what happened to Seth’s seed? Genesis 6:2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

How is this a FOUNDATION in Genesis?

Life outside the garden is hard, vain, and vexation of spirit but there is hope and a way back. We must not become weary, empty and without God but, as Jesus did, make God’s word our meditation, counter our nature and with God’s help grasp the tree of life!