Genesis 4:4- 7 (ESV) “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?[b] And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to[c] you, but you must rule over it.”
After having his offering not regarded, Cain decided to kill Abel. This did not address his failed offering.
There is something that is brought forth in this narrative that I would like to point out to you. If you consider the way that God addressed Cain you will realize that it was with the intention of teaching and not condemning.
If you do well will you not be accepted?
God wanted Cain to learn about doing well. Sometimes when we fail we forget to listen to the lessons that we are being taught.
God did not reject Cain, but it was his offering that was not regarded.
He could have done well by learning the lesson being taught but he thought to do otherwise. Eliminating his brother Abel was not going to cause his sacrifice to be accepted. Perhaps he thought if he kills Abel then God would not have any other choice but to accept his sacrifice. He would be the only one left to bring a sacrifice. How did that work out for him?
Instead he got into more trouble as sin found an entrance into his heart.
Genesis 4:8 – 12 (ESV) “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.”
After Cain murdered his brother, God showed up to have a conversation with them. He asked Cain as to the whereabouts of his brother. Cain spoke of not being his brother’s keeper. Why did God once again ask a question whose answer he knew? He was giving Cain another chance. This time it was for repentance. Once again he failed.
Cain had problems. He did not recognize what God was teaching him and secondly, he had a hearing problem. He could not hear what Abel’s blood was crying out to God.
