Genesis 4:1-26

Names. Parents search and look at names to give their unborn child and they all have a meaning. Sometimes, I wonder who decided that the name Matthew means “gift of God” But here in this first family we see names given and meaning behind the name applied. Eve, is named and her name means “life”. It is curious that after the fall, Eve is named. The name that means life is first mentioned when darkness begins. We will see Eve give birth to Cain, and his name means “acquired, or brought forth” Due to my curiosity I looked up my own name Jayme- it means “may God protect”. I can say I was relieved that it didn’t say “Hugger” that might propose a problem for me.

I think we all can relate to Eve’s thinking. She ate the fruit, was banished from the garden, along with being given the promise in Genesis 3:15. Isn’t it curious though that Eve gives birth to Cain and perhaps she believed Cain was the promise seed? I mean why not. She was given this promise from God. But then again, she hadn’t yet experienced that thing about God, His timing. God’s timing is not our timing. Which I know in the long run is always perfect, but sometimes I like my timing better. Can you fault Eve for expecting Cain to be promised seed?

As the first family is beginning, we get a picture of life outside of the garden. Can you imagine growing up in this family, where Adam and Eve told stories of the creator creating them? And perhaps Cain rolled his eyes at the concept? I don’t know, this is one thought. I mean we all do it in some way. I remember when the advanced age people in my life would tell me stories and I would roll my eyes because I didn’t want to believe it or I just didn’t want to hear it. Cain and Abel both brought sacrifices to God yet it’s the core of their offering that could be determining whether it was done with a heart of an eye roll or a heart yielding to God.

But there is another thought at hand. Genesis 3:21 is a picture of the first sacrifice in the Bible. It’s a scene in which God makes a blood sacrifice to clothe Adam and Eve. In this picture, it reveals that a blood sacrifice is essential for an offering to God. When you look at the sacrifices of Cain and Abel, one was of blood and one was not. Some could argue that Cain worked the soil and Abel worked the flocks, which is true, but sometimes I wonder if this is just a way to justify actions? Still, after Cain offers his sacrifice and its not accepted, there is God approaching Cain. God doesn’t come to Cain in anger, but His approach is to lead him into repentance. God comes to us when we have wronged someone, or we have sinned in some other way. God approaches us, and it’s in our response that reveals our heart.

Verse 8 reveals what Cain’s heart felt. Cain lured his brother to a field to kill him. The first murder, but it’s not just that he murdered him, Cain capitalized on Abel’s trust. Cain was his brother. This picture of a brother killing a brother is an example of sin crouching at the door, desiring to have you. It reveals, jealousy at its core. It’s the overtaking of sin of ones body.

When I read this story this week, I was reminded of something someone said in leader’s meeting about how Eve talked to the serpent. They were questioning the fact that she was unafraid of a snake. And as I processed this idea- it occurred to me Eve had no reason to be afraid of a snake. Adam had named all the animals and he was to rule over them, so why would she be afraid? The serpent capitalized on Eve’s trust the same way Cain capitalized on Abel’s trust. We begin to see a similarity in these two stories, but there is one key difference. Adam and Eve after sought by God, repented. Cain, given multiple attempts, chose not to repent, but turn from God. Cain, chose to cast blame, similar to his parents, but isn’t that what we all like to do. No one wants to be found guilty, but to be seen as justified. It’s hard to be found guilty or to accept responsibility.

Cain, leaves the presence of God to built kingdom Cain. Imagine for a moment this scene. Adam and Eve: one son is buried in the ground at the hands of their other son. Now, the son whom is a murderer leaves. A picture of the destruction of sin. A sin that began in the garden at their hands- generational sin. Cain builds his kingdom.

Interestingly, when I first read and see Cain building his kingdom, it slightly reminds me of the tribe of Judah and the tribe of Israel. One tribe led by one bad king after another, while the other kingdom, while it did have a few bad apples intermixed, it was more filled with God honoring kings. As Cain, builds his kingdom, it gives the appearance as if what he is building is successful. He was successful without God. It’s very similar to many things in life today. Outwardly, we can look, appear to be successful, but inside we are not. It again brings you back to that heart. Do we have a heart yielding to God or a heart of an eye roll? God wants more of me than just the occasional prayer or a five minute pop open Bible to read a devotion which I can check off a list. God desires me into an intimate relationship with Him. One that pushes me to confront the demons that surround me. The demons of fear or mistrust that certainly cause me to question myself.

Adam and Eve were grieved over their sin. Cain, picked up as if unfazed by his sin. And if you read on, you will see the continuing ramifications of Cain’s choice and lack of repentance. The end of chapter 4 leaves us with Adam and Eve having another son. Seth, would be the line that brings people to begin calling on the name of the Lord. Seth, means anointed, compensation.