TEACHING NOTES ‌ Introduction If you are ever in a situation where you are wondering what God wants, Jesus would tell you to go back to the beginning of the Bible. The first set of stories in Genesis (Gen. 1-11) tell us what God wants and His ultimate goal. Today, we’re going to cover Genesis 4, which is going challenge our modern views—especially our modern doctrines of sin. ‌ Let’s begin with a quick review of the story so far... ‌ Gen. 1 — God creates the world and fills it with life. ‌ Gen. 2 — God plants a garden in Eden and creates Adam & Eve to be with Him and spread the garden to the rest of the earth. ‌ Gen. 3 — Adam & Eve disobey God and must leave the garden to be kept away from the tree of life. They need to die so they won’t live forever in sin. The exile from the garden is an act of God’s mercy, not punishment. ‌ Gen. 4 — Evil starts growing and spreading. ‌ Genesis 4:1–2 ESV 1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” 2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. ‌ I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD = Our English translations, while very good and trustworthy, have a hard time translating this correctly. In Hebrew, it more accurately reads, “I have created a man just as the LORD did!” Cain’s name (Heb. qayin) sounds like word for create (Heb. qanah). Ancient readers would have understood Eve’s statement as a form of pride. She thinks she can create life in the same way that God created life. At the end of this tragic story, Eve changes her tune when Seth is born, realizing that life comes from God (see Gen. 4:25). ‌ Abel = Heb. habel - vapor. Abel’s name means something that is here one second and gone the next. Accordingly, Abel is only alive for eight verses then he’s gone. ‌ Abel was a keeper of sheep = Abel is a shepherd and also the good guy in this story. This pattern gets repeated throughout the biblical story. God tends to favor shepherds and elevate them to positions of authority and leadership (like Moses and David). ‌ Cain was a worker of the ground = It’s important to remember that in Gen. 3:17 we were told that the ground is cursed. Somehow the ground would not produce high quality food, and certainly not without hard work. ‌ Genesis 4:3–5 ESV 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 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. ‌ In the course of time = Heb. min qes yamim - at the end of some days, after a certain period of time. Because the language here is plural, we know some time has passed but there is no indication of how long. ‌ Cain brought an offering of fruit = The Hebrew here doesn’t exactly say fruit. The word (Heb. peri) simply means what is harvested from a plant. It could be fruit or seeds or nuts. Most Hebrew scholars believe Cain offered some kind of grain, not fruit. Later in the Old Testament laws, offering grain to God is acceptable. But in this story it is implied that Cain is not offering his best. In Hebrew, the word translated “fruit” is singular, meaning Cain brought one thing to offer. ‌ Abel brought of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions = In Hebrew, the word “firstborn” is plural and also “their fat portions.” This implies that Abel brought more than one offering. Perhaps Abel brought all the firstborn lambs of his flock. That seems to be what the text is saying. ‌ Abel brought a large and very valuable offering. ‌Cain brought a small and very cheap (easy) offering. ‌ The LORD had regard for Abel’s offering but not for Cain’s = The Hebrew word for “had regard” is yisa, which means to gaze upon or look at with favor. This does not mean that God rejected Cain’s offering, but that God saw or noticed Abel’s desire to give so much. God gazed at Abel’s offering for a while and did not do this for Cain’s offering. ‌ Cain was very angry = The Hebrew phrase for “very angry” is meod harah, which means to become hot or furious. Cain is angry because his brother’s offering is larger and more valuable. Cain’s little brother has out done him. Jealousy is the real issue for Cain. ‌ Genesis 4:6–7 ESV 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? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” ‌ If you do well, will you not be accepted? = This translation isn’t quite right. The Hebrew text says, “If you do good, will you not be lifted up?” Gen. 4:6 tells us that Cain’s face had fallen. God is telling Cain that if he does good his face will be lifted up. It’s as if God is saying, “Do the right thing and you will stop feeling so bad about yourself.” ‌ Sin is crouching at the door = We often miss what is really going on here. This is not a metaphor for “the door of Cain’s heart.” The author wants us to think that Cain and Abel are making their offerings at the door of the garden of Eden. The Hebrew word for “crouching” is robes, which is often used to describe an animal lurking for its prey. We’re supposed to see this “sin” as the serpent coiled and ready to strike. ‌ It’s desire is contrary to you = This is the same phrase that God said to Eve in Gen. 3:16. Sin or the serpent’s desire is contrary to humans. The serpent wants humanity eliminated. Why? Many ancient writers believed that the serpent was a seraphim/cherubim who was jealous that humans were given rule over the earth. ‌ You must rule over it = This phrase also comes from Gen. 3:16 but now is applied to Cain. Notice what God is saying to Cain here. “You must rule over it” indicates that God believed that Cain could rule over sin. This is the opposite of what modern theology teaches—that everyone after Adam is born a sinner and unable to not sin. The Bible actually teaches that people are not born sinners, but are born into a world of sin. Each person reaches a point where they must choose to rule over sin or give in to sin. Once you give in to sin the first time, we continue to sin for the rest of your life. That’s the biblical view of original sin. ‌ Note about Original Sin: The doctrine of original sin that is most popular today is this: Every person born after Adam is born a sinner and is guilty of Adam’s sin because all people came from Adam. This view assumes that sin is hereditary and passed on through reproduction. It’s important to know that this view was first made popular by Saint Augustine who couldn’t read Hebrew, hated Greek, and devised his theology from a Latin version of the Bible. Also, Augustine lived and wrote more than 350 years after Jesus. What Augustine says about sin is the opposite of what God said to Cain about sin. The Bible does not say that sin came to all men because of Adam, but that death came to all men because all men sin. ‌ Cain’s Choice: Let Sin Win ‌ Genesis 4:8–9 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?” ‌ This wasn’t an accident = Notice Cain is committing premeditated murder. Cain speaks to Abel or convinces Abel to follow him out in the field, presumably away from the sight of their parents. This was no killing of self defence or a brotherly fight gone wrong. Cain intentionally led Abel to a secluded place to murder him. ‌ Where is Abel your brother? = Just as in Gen. 3:9-13, God seeks the sinner to have a conversation about what has happened. ‌ Am I my brother’s keeper? = Just like his parents blamed someone else for their decision, Cain likewise wants to remove himself from blame. He’s lying and blaming at the same time. ‌ Genesis 4:10 ESV 10 And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. ‌ What have you done? = This is the same question that God asked Eve in Gen. 3:13. God is still pursuing Cain, even after he has become a murderer. ‌ Your brother’s blood is crying to me = This is a pattern that repeats in Genesis. The next occurrence of this phrase appears before the flood story. Before the flood when the earth was full of violence and murder, God says that “the end of humanity has come up before me.” In Hebrew, the idea here is the cry of the oppressed going up to God. It is a cry of vengeance or justice. Abel’s blood is crying out for God to act. At the end of this story we read, “At that time people began to call upon the name of the LORD” (Gen. 4:26). After Abel’s murder, people kept on crying out to God for justice until the flood. ‌ The writer of Hebrews gives us a connection to Christ. ‌ Hebrews 12:24 ESV 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. ‌ Abel’s blood cried out for vengeance and justice. ‌Jesus’ blood speaks forgiveness and mercy. ‌ Genesis 4:11–12 ESV 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.” ‌ Now you are cursed from the ground = In Gen. 3:14, the serpent was cursed TO the ground. Cain is cursed FROM the ground. This means that Cain must leave the area of land (Eden) and go away from his parents. Adam and Eve were exiled from the garden to live in the land/ground of Eden. Cain must leave the land/ground of Eden and he will go farther east. ‌ The ground will no longer yield its strength = It’s possible to read this as the reason Cain must leave. Since Cain is a farmer, and the ground will no longer cooperate with his effort to grow food, he must find another place. ‌ You shall be a fugitive and wanderer = God commands Cain to stay away from people and never settle down in one place. This is an important detail to understanding the rest of Cain’s story correctly. ‌ Genesis 4:13–14 ESV 13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14 Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” ‌ From your face I shall be hidden = Since God’s earthly headquarters is the garden in the middle of Eden, Cain will be driven farther away from the presence of God. ‌ Whoever finds me will kill me = This implies that there were other people outside of Eden. Obviously, this troubles modern readers because we thought Adam and Eve were the only humans alive at this time. However, ancient writers had similar questions about this issue. If we read what Genesis 1-4 actually says, it is entirely possible that the humans God created in Gen. 1:26-27 were not Adam and Eve, but a different group of humans. In Gen. 2, God created two specific humans to live in the garden with Him, spread the garden to all the earth, and represent God (image Him) to the rest of humanity who were living outside the garden. ‌ Note: If you think that Cain was wrong to think other humans were living outside of Eden, then you have to explain why God doesn’t correct Cain and provides protection for him. ‌ Genesis 4:15–16 ESV 15 Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him. 16 Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. ‌ If anyone kills Cain, sevenfold vengeance will be taken = God is promising to protect a man who just murdered his own brother out of jealousy. This shows the compassion and grace of God toward sinners. Just as God did not curse Adam and Eve but cursed the serpent, and promised its defeat, God also promises to protect Cain. ‌ The LORD put a mark on Cain = Our English translations miss the true meaning of this phrase. The Hebrew says, “The LORD gave a sign for Cain.” What is the sign? In Hebrew the next line says, “that no one would even strike him.” Cain is afraid that someone will kill him, but God promises that no one would even strike him. ‌ Cain went from the presence of the LORD = This is a major pattern in the Old Testament. God created humans to be with Him, but they keep doing things that drive them away from His presence. The rest of the Torah describes God’s way of getting His people back into His presence. ‌ Cain settled in the land of Nod = In Hebrew, “Nod” means wandering or homeless. Notice the irony here. God commanded Cain to be a lonely fugitive and not to settle down in one place. Cain disobeys God and settled down. ‌ Note: The first chapters of Genesis describe humanity progressively moving east of Eden. In Gen. 3, Adam and Eve moved out of the garden to the east. They lived in the region of Eden. In Gen. 4, Cain must move farther east out of the region of Eden. Later in the biblical story, the east becomes associated with Babylon, the evil empire that becomes the enemy of God’s people. ‌ Genesis 4:17–18 ESV 17 Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. When he built a city, he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch. 18 To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech. ‌ Cain started a family = This begs the question, where did Cain find a wife? This is more evidence that there were other humans outside of Eden. The big issue here is that Cain is again disobeying God’s command to remain alone. ‌ He built a city = The Hebrew word for “city” implies a fairly large walled city. Instead of wandering and remaining alone, Cain starts a family and builds a fortified city. Cain still doesn’t trust God’s promise of protection, which is why he builds a walled city to protect himself. ‌ Pattern: Evil Cities Cain building a fortified city that become filled with evil is a pattern that gets repeated. Genesis portrays cities as a place of oppression and immorality. This is clearly seen in Gen. 4:19-24 and later in the tower of Babel (Babylon) story in Gen. 11. Here’s the point: Highly populated cities become places of oppression and unrestrained immorality. ‌ Genesis 4:19 ESV 19 And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. ‌ Lamech took two wives = While the text doesn’t explicitly say that taking two wives is evil, Lamech is clearly portrayed as an evil man. Also, Adam was given only one wife, which communicates that one man and one woman is what God wants. Every mention of polygamy in the Bible is portrayed as negative. ‌ Genesis 4:20–22 ESV 20 Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. 21 His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe. 22 Zillah also bore Tubal-cain; he was the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah. ‌ Genealogies are more than simply a family tree = In the Bible, genealogies are doing double-duty. They are not merely a family tree, but also communicating a storyline. Names also communicate meaning or purpose. Each of Cain’s descendants have names that have negative meanings. Cain’s genealogy communicates the spreading of violence and immorality. Gen. 4:17-22 shows that Cain’s descendants spread polygamy, violence, and new technologies. For example, Tubal-cain invents “forging of all instruments of bronze and iron.” Ancient readers understood this as weapons and even false idols. ‌ Genesis 4:23–24 ESV 23 Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say: I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me. 24 If Cain’s revenge is sevenfold, then Lamech’s is seventy-sevenfold.” ‌ Lamech’s Song of Violence = In the Hebrew text, this is a poem or song. Lamech is bragging that he killed a man for merely wounding him and a young man for slapping him. ‌ Cain’s revenge is sevenfold, Lamech’s is seventy-sevenfold = Since God promised Cain that He would avenge him sevenfold, Lamech is claiming that God will protect and avenge him endlessly. This is an arrogant presumption on Lamech’s part. God never promised Lamech anything, and if Cain had obeyed God Lamech would not even exist. ‌ Genesis 4:25–26 ESV 25 And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, “God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.” 26 To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord. ‌ Seth = Heb. sheth - to set, stand, ordain, appoint. ‌ God has appointed another offspring = Notice Eve’s change of attitude from Gen. 4:1. At the beginning of Gen. 4, Eve is kind of bragging that she created a man like God did. At the end of Gen. 4, Eve ascribes Seth’s birth as God’s doing. ‌ Enosh = Heb. enos - intimate relationship. This communicates that Seth’s descendants would be the opposite of Cain’s descendants. ‌ People began to call upon the name of the LORD = Literally, “Since that time people began to worship/summon the name of Yahweh.” Because violence and murder is being spread through Cain’s descendants, Seth’s descendants begin crying out to God for justice and relief. ‌ Conclusion ‌This passage presents us with a choice: follow the example of Cain or follow the example of Seth. We either let sin rule over us or we rule over sin. How can rule over sin? We call on the name of Jesus who defeated sin and invited us to let Him in through prayer, communion, and the Spirit’s power. ‌