CAIN AND ABEL (3)

LESSON - STUDY-CONCLUSION

Genesis 4:1-16

RECAP: After God told Eve that she would conceive of a son that would crush the head of the serpent (Satan) mentioned in Genesis 3:15 which has been called the protoevangelium, the promise of a redeemer for fallen mankind, Eve called her son Cain.  Eve may well have believed that her son might be that redeemer and that is why she called him Cain and said, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord” (Gen 4:1).  This seems likely because Cain’s name in Hebrew means "acquired" and she may have thought that she had acquired this redeemer and especially since he was the first born which is important.  After Cain was born, "she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground" (Gen 4:2).  Abel’s Hebrew name means "breath" but may be a derivative of the Assyrian name for "meadow" and this seems perfectly fitting as Abel was a keeper of sheep or a shepherd.

Since "Abel…brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions, the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering" (Gen 4:4) it appears that Abel raised sheep to have a consistent supply of lambs to sacrifice.   First of all, he brought the first born of the flock and this would be what the later sacrifices would require.   Also, God has stated in both the Old Testament and the New that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins (Heb. 9:22).  I believe that this is why God accepted Abel’s offering and did not accept Cain’s.  One offering was insufficient and consisted of works but Abel’s was a blood sacrifice and that was pleasing or satisfying to God.  Able had forgiveness but Cain did not because God did not accept his offering…one of works (Gen 4:5).

Conclusion

 What can we learn from this Bible story for our lives today?

Question #1) Are we better than Cain?

“Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and we know

 that no murderer has eternal life residing in him” (1 John 3:15).

Question #2) Are we offering the right sacrifices?

“You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house

to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to

God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5).

Question #3) Are we mastering sin or being mastered by it?

“For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not

under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14).

By spending time in prayer and Bible study, our hearts are kept sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. We are compelled by our love for God to give the best we have to offer in light of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Screen Writer/Director

Published Author/Gospel Lyricist &Producer

FOUNDER/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org.