~~~~~Lesson: Genesis, Chapter 4

1) It is important to note that the offerings themselves weren’t the source of God’s rejection or acceptance. God doesn’t have a preference for meat over grain. It was the “spirit” in which it was given. The Lord’s answer to Cain indicates this: “If you do well, you can hold up your head.”

In today’s day and age, we don’t offer meat and grain to the Lord. However, we can offer a “proper” spirit and behavior.

Question: Can you name some examples of “proper” spiritual feelings or behavior that the Lord would “accept as an offering”?

2) Cain receives his punishment from God, but complains that it is too great to bear. Though we receive trials and tribulations (as part of life, for God’s own reasons, not because we murdered someone), God will help us through it.

Question: Name one trial or tribulation that you have gone through. Did God help give you strength? Did you gain any spiritual benefit from the trial/tribulation?

~Reading: Genesis: Chapters 4-5

(Chapter 4: entire)  The man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have produced a man with the help of the Lord.” Next she bore his brother Abel. Abel became a keeper of flocks, and Cain a tiller of soil. In the course of time Cain brought an offering to the Lord from the fruit of the soil, while Abel, for his part, brought one of the best firstlings of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not. Cain greatly resented this and was crestfallen.

So the Lord said to Cain: “Why are you so resentful and crestfallen? If you do well, you can hold up your head; but if not, sin is a demon lurking at the door: his urge is toward you, yet you can be his master.”

Cain said to his brother Abel, “let us go out in the field.” When they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

Then the Lord asked Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”

He answered, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”

The Lord then said: “What have you done! Listen: Your brother’s blood cries out out me from the soil! Therefore you shall be banned from the soil that opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. If you till the soil, it shall no longer give you its produce. You shall become a restless wanderer on the earth.”

Cain said to the Lord: “My punishment is too great to bear. Since you have now banished me from the soil, and I must avoid your presence and become a restless wanderer on the earth, anyone may kill me at sight.”

“Not so!” the Lord said to him. “If anyone kills Cain, Cain shall be avenged sevenfold.” So the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest anyone should kill him at sight. Cain then left the Lord’s presence and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

Chapter 5- List of Descendants