Why would God tell us the story of Cain and Abel? (Part #1)

Why would God tell us the story of Cain and Abel? The Bible may seem like a really long book to most people, but in reality the information recorded in it is the condensed version of all that ever happen. So, God's choice of what He shared with us from the people's lives recorded in its pages must be the most important bits, and they will benefit us the most. Another important fact to remember is the way in which God chooses to teach us from His word. To properly understand His word, we must study it in a typical sense (I Corinthians 12:11). The accounts of Cain and Abel's lives teach us more than the surface stuff of "don't betray and murder your brother." It has implications that teaches us about our proper walk with God.

Recall from our past studies that there has been a progression in God's word. Typically speaking, He has developed the idea of salvation. For example:

1.) The restoration of the Earth over six days taught us that God initiates salvation and it is through His miraculous power that we are saved. No work of our own can enter into this salvation.

2.) Through the fall of Adam and Eve, and their salvation we learn more. God reiterates His role as the seeker, and worker. God came to Adam and Eve. God slayed the unknown animal. God used it to cover their nakedness (sin). We also learn that it takes the shedding of blood to make us right with God. God also promises to us in the account a Redeemer. We also learn of our great enemy, who wishes to take from us all that God wants to give us (life, blessings, and a position of rulership). In our creation, we also learned that God created us in His image. We are spirit, soul, and body; and that those three parts are in need of salvation.

Now we come to Cain and Abel. These men are a contrast even though they are brothers. We are taught at least two types from what is recorded of these men. In one type, God contrasts the faithful believer's life (Abel) with that of the unfaithful believer's life (Cain). In the other type, God contrasts Jesus (Abel) with that of the nation of Israel (Cain). I want to explore the first type with you in this study.


"And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord. And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground." Genesis 4:1-2

1.) Cain and Abel were brothers. Unfaithful and the faithful Christians are also brothers. If you don't think that it is possible for a true Christian brother to be unfaithful, read what James 5:19-20 states:

"Bretheren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins."

It is very important that you distinguish between the spirit and the soul, or else you will miss the point entirely. Our spirits are saved when we place our faith in Christ for salvation. Our souls are saved through faith and good works directed by the Holy Spirit. In other words, our souls are saved through faithfulness. So, it is entirely possible for someone to be a true believer in the Lord Jesus, but be unfaithful. Thus, this true believer, who is destined to go to heaven, will suffer the death of his soul. Soul death is not hell. Soul death has to do with the loss of reward.

2.) Cain and Abel both had an occupation. God has given to every Christian the responsibility of working for Him. Consider what Luke 19: 11-13 states.

"And as they heard these things, He added and spake a parable, because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman (Jesus) went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants(all believers), and delievered unto them ten pounds (all God's goods), and said unto them, Occupy (do business) till I come."

If you finish the parable, you will notice that only two of the ten actually did what was required of them, and they were rewarded with rulership. The third, hid his Lord's business even though he knew better. He suffered loss as a result. Then you have the other seven, who did nothing. They received an even greater judgement. There was a separation (a death) that they suffered. They suffered the death of their souls.

Consider Colossians 3:23-25:

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons."

Consider 1 Thessalonians 1:9 -10:


"For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for His Son from heaven, Whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come."

From these passages, it becomes quite clear that we are expected to serve. Service is a choice to work for God. It does require faith, but it also requires work. Our initial salvation in which we become Christians requires no work on our part. Our works can not enter into that realm. But our soul salvation requires us to work, to render service to our God. Good and faithful service receives a reward, while bad, and unfaithful service receives loss of reward.

Genesis 4:3-5 states:

"And in the process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground and offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering He had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell."

3.) Cain and Abel both brought to God the fruits of their labor. Abel brought the best that he had been blessed with by God, while Cain didn't bring the best. God accepted Abel and his offering, but he rejected Cain and his offering. Many commentators say that the type of offering (from the ground) was what made God reject his offering. This isn't the case. This offering wasn't to be blood sacrifice, it was gift of what God had blessed them with. A giving back of the very best. Cain got mad, and his countenance fell when God didn't a second best offering.

Christians are also to bring to God their very best. We have the choice of doing bringing the best or keeping it for ourselves. When we give back to God the very best that we have been blessed with, He accepts us and our offering. The neat thing is, He rejoices over us and blesses us with more. This blessing primarily occurs in the Kingdom Age.

A passage of scripture that seems to indicate this is found in Matthew 19:27-30:

"Then answered Peter and said unto Him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed Thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory (during the Kingdom Age), ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every on that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My Name's sake, shall receive and hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first."

It isn't that the things Jesus speaks of are bad for us, or even against Him. It is that we have to put all things and relationships in their proper perspective. Everything, even the things that He gives to us in order to bless us, must be placed behind Him in importance. So much so, we would be willing to give them up to Him if He asks for them. Abel was willing to do this, Cain was not. Are we an Abel, or are we a Cain? The proper kind of offering to God can be painful to be sure, but the rewards for placing God as first in our lives will be well worth it.

4.) Notice something else. Cain's focus was in the wrong direction. His countenance had fallen. His focus was on the earth. This isn't without significance. Cain chose to look down, and not up toward God. A Christian who does this, can expect the same type of results in their life that Cain got.

Consider Colossians 3:1-10

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above , not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, Who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. Mortify (kill) therefore your members which are upon the earth, fornication, uncleaness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience (His disobedient children): In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication our of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him:"

Now in the passage it tells us of the results of looking above and seeking the things that are above. The implication is clear that looking below (having a fallen countenance) leads to a life lived for self. It leads to a life of unfaithfulness and disobedience.

Genesis 4:6-7 states:

"And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth (to be hot, furious, burn, become angry)? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shall thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him."

5.) God is the seeker, even of a rebellious child. God tells Cain that he can be accepted. He must act in a manner that puts God first in his life. God warns him that if he doesn't, that sin is waiting to overcome him. In the end, though, Cain was told that he would eventually overcome sin (more on that later). Now, apply this to the unfaithful believer. God loves His children and desires that they set Him as number one in their lives. When they don't, He seeks them out and speaks to their heart, drawing them back to Himself. He doesn't tolerate the wrong behavior, and He does tell them how they can correct it.

Consider Hebrews 12:5-13:

"And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him: For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised therby. Wherefore lift up the hands that hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for you feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed."

This passage, of course, is talking to believers. And from the passage it is clear to see that it is possible for us to not endure the chastening of the Lord, otherwise the word "if" would not have been used. Not being in subjection to the Father results in death, soul death. His chastening is designed to bring about our profit, and being able to partake of His holiness. If we don't endure it, the implication is that we will not profit, and we will not partake. Cain refused the correction of God, and it resulted in loss of profit and not being able to partake.

To be continued...

Random Quote #3

A book I read some time back had this quote in it. It was an imaginary conversation between the founder of Buddhism and Jesus. I thought that it was a pretty good quote.

"One cannot sacrifice truth at the altar of respect. To be sure truth doesn't eliminate respect. But respect should not be an end in itself." p. 81 The Lotus and the Cross by Ravi Zacharias

I hope that this is an encouragement to you not to back down when the truth needs to be said. To temper your use of the sword of truth, also remember the following quote by the same man.

"One cannot communicate the Love of Christ in non-loving terms." p. 150 The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel.

Been a while...

Hey guys,

I'm about ready to jump into another study with you guys. School has been way too busy, so that is the reason for my lack of progress. I hope to hear from you guys again when we start! See you soon and God Bless.

Steve