Exposition of Genesis 1-11 The Fall and its Aftermath Part III Gen 4:1-16

What We’ve Covered So Far The Creation of the Heavens and the Earth – Gen 1:1 – 2:3 The Creation of Man and Woman and the Garden of Eden – Gen 2:4-25 The Fall of Man and its Consequences – Gen 3:1-24

Similarities between Gen 2-3 and Gen 4 Each account contains two primary figures who share a close relationship. In both accounts a word of warning is given before a sinful deed is committed. The principal characters are confronted by God after the deed, and He exposes their guilt through questions. After the deed is exposed, God pronounces judgment on the offenders. (Note both Adam and Cain’s alienation from the ground). Both characters are driven away from their original context and separated from God. Both end up dwelling east of Eden.

The Birth of Cain and Abel & Their Occupations – Gen 4:1-2 These verses introduce our story and tell us about the main characters. –Notice the link here with the pronouncement to Eve in 3:16. Literally, “I have created a man with the Lord.” –There is a wordplay in the Hebrew between the name of the child, !yIq ;, and the verb Eve uses, ytiynIq ', in her following statement. Cain’s name means “something formed; weapon, implement.” –Abel’s name means “breath, vapor”. Same word used in Ecclesiastes for “vanity.” Cain was a tiller of the ground, Abel a keeper of flocks...standard occupations for the time, and for all of mankind’s history. –They will bring offerings in accord with these occupations.

The Murder of Abel by Cain Gen 4:3-8 Cain brought his offering from the fruit of the ground, but in distinction to Abel, Cain’s attitude is one of indifference. Abel’s offering consisted of “the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions”, i.e. the choicest of his animals, in order to honor the Lord appropriately. –This is the reason the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering and not for Cain’s.

The Murder of Abel by Cain Gen 4:3-8 Cain’s response: he became very angry and it showed on his face. In the Lord’s questions, expressions from the previous narrative are repeated: –“Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?” –Rather than a rebuke, these questions should be seen as a fatherly appeal for Cain to “watch his step.” The Lord lays out two ways: –Do well, and you will be lifted up. –Do not do well, and sin crouches (or lurks) at the door...and wants to bring you down, too! It’s desire is for you, but you must master it (cf. 3:16).

The Murder of Abel by Cain Gen 4:3-8 The first part of v. 8 reads simply, “Cain spoke to Abel his brother”, but the implication is that a meeting was arranged in the field (i.e. away from their father and mother), where Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

The Sentencing of Cain Gen 4:9-16 Though no other human had seen the murder, the Lord saw it and confronted Cain with the question: “Where is Abel your brother?” –This question does carry a rebuke. Note the sarcasm and irony in Cain’s answer: “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” –A play on Abel’s occupation as a “keeper” of flocks. –His use of “brother” acknowledges his close relationship...yet he has killed him in cold blood! –Cain here adds lying to his growing disobedience. The thought of the Lord’s next question is “See now what you have done! How could you!”

The Sentencing of Cain Gen 4:9-16 Abel’s spilled blood cried out (metaphorically) to the Lord from the ground, just as a man who has been wronged cries out to the judge (cf. Heb 11:4). Note the chiasm in vv : “The voice of your brother's blood is crying to Me –from the ground. And now you are cursed –from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. Serpent Ground Cain

The Sentencing of Cain Gen 4:9-16 Cain is cursed “from the ground” in that it will no longer yield its produce to him. –The earlier curse because of Adam’s sin made the produce of the earth come only through difficult toil; for Cain the earth will yield nothing...devastating for a tiller of the ground. As a result, Cain will be a “vagrant and a wanderer” on the earth. –This is worse than a nomadic shepherd. It implies no settled place to live and no consistent means to eke out a living. (More on this in 4:14).

The Sentencing of Cain Gen 4:9-16 Cain’s response: “My punishment is too great to bear!” or “My iniquity is too great to forgive!” –Driven from the face of the ground, so that he will not find rest anywhere; ever conscious of being an outcast and having to move on. –Hiding from the face (presence) of God because of his sin. –And thus a vagrant and wanderer on the earth, just as the Lord had pronounced earlier.

The Sentencing of Cain Gen 4:9-16 Cain acknowledges that all this has come upon him “this day”, but is concerned about his future, that his punishment might go even further: –“Whoever finds me will kill me.” Why? “Therefore” makes the connection with this concern of Cain. The Lord appoints a sign for Cain: –warning of the vengeance that will be taken if anyone kills him; –providing him assurance against this happening.

The Sentencing of Cain Gen 4:9-16 Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and dwelt in a land of Nod (“wandering”)...not necessarily a land with this name, but a state of constant wandering from place to place. Like the earlier banishment of Adam and Eve from the garden, the area where Cain wandered was east of Eden.

Some Important Principles from this Section Human life is sacred and must not be violated by murder or blood vengeance. –Capital punishment will be instituted later as a just punishment for murder. No deed of man is hidden from God. God calls man to account and repays him according to his deeds.

The Fall and its Aftermath Part IV Gen 4:17-26 Matt Neal Will Teach