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Raising Cain
An old preacher’s joke says that baseball is a divinely approved sport. After all, the first three words in the Bible are "in the big inning..." That’s why it’s an old joke. But there are many "firsts" that happen in Genesis, the book of beginnings. The first man and woman, Adam and Eve, commit the first sin in Genesis 3. In chapter 4, the first sons are born to this first union: Cain and Abel.
Though this is obviously the first time Cain and Abel are mentioned in Scripture, it is not the last. Abel is called "righteous" by both Jesus (Matt. 23:35) and John (1 John 3:12). And, though he does not speak one word in the Bible, he is listed in the great chapter of faith in Hebrews as one who still speaks (Heb. 11:4; 12:24). Cain, in contrast to Abel’s righteousness, is said to be "of the evil one" whose "deeds were evil" (1 John 3:12). In Jude 11, Jude warned against men who behaved like unreasoning animals because they had "gone the way of Cain."
If it was possible for men in the 1st Century to go the way of Cain, surely that danger still exists. It may have been a first in Genesis 4, but it is a path often repeated by those who look for the selfish way out.
What is this way of Cain?
The way of Cain shows no regard for God’s will. "And the Lord had regard for Abel and for his offering; but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard" (Gen. 4:4-5). Cain and Abel, like most siblings, were very different. Cain was a "tiller of the ground." Abel was a "keeper of the flocks." When they both brought an offering to the Lord, God accepted the one from Abel but not from Cain. For what reason? Was God showing favoritism and arbitrarily choosing one sacrifice over the other?
"By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice that Cain" (Heb. 11:4). How did he do it? By faith. The same way Noah knew to prepare an ark (11:7) and Abraham to leave his homeland (11:8). God told them to. Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Rom. 10:17). The only way Abel could offer a sacrifice by faith was by God telling him what He wanted. Hasn’t God expressed His will to us about worship, salvation, and morality? To offer Him anything else is to show no regard for what He said. That’s going the wrong way.
The way of Cain shows no respect for the subtlety of sin. The Lord warned Cain that "sin is crouching at the door" (Gen. 4:7). Cain became angry, but he was angry at the wrong person. "It’s desire is for you, but you must master it." There goes the argument, "I was born this way, I can’t help myself." You have to take control. But Cain didn’t listen. His anger boiled over and the first son born of the first and woman committed the first murder.
Sin is still crouching at the door. The devil is watching you. His desire is for you. Isn’t it interesting that "do not give the devil an opportunity" is said right after the command to "be angry and do not sin" (Eph. 4:26-27)? Anger and discouragement are just waiting to explode. You best take control before you lose control. Don’t let the subtlety of bitterness and jealously boil over and cause you to say or do something you can’t take back. You are your brother’s keeper.
The way of Cain shows no concern for the consequences of one action. We seldom think of the long-term effects of our actions. Cain sure didn’t. But he certainly reaped what he sowed. "You are cursed from the ground" (4:11). He would no longer have the same enjoyment and produce from the ground he once tilled. "You shall be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth" (4:12). Adam and Eve were banished from the garden, but Cain never again had a home. "And the Lord appointed a sign for Cain" (4:15). Who was ever used "the mark of Cain" in a positive light?
What kind of legacy do you want to leave? Sin brings its immediate consequences: loss of purity, respect, and confidence. But don’t forget to look further down the road. Sin full grown brings forth death. It’s what God promised to Cain’s parents, "in the day you eat from it you shall surely die" (Gen. 2:17). Don’t go that way. Choose rather to have a faith that still speaks after you’re gone.
The blood of Abel cried to God from the ground. But there is blood that cries out even more, the blood of Christ. His blood cleanses you of all sin. The way of Cain leads to death. The way of the cross leads home.
