Gen 4:1-26

Gen 4:1-7

(1) And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bore Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.

(2) And she again bore his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

The first Adam and his wife Eve become the first Parents.

Note 1: Take note to the terminology used in the description of the first children to be born to man.

Verse 1 tells us that Adam knew his wife, that word “knew” comes from the Hebrew word “yâda‛” (yaw-dah') It means discover, endued with, (be, make, make to be, make self) known, + be learned, among other various unrelated definitions. It carries the thought that he became aware of the physical relationship between a man and a woman. He didn’t need a teacher to teach him how it was done; he discovered that on his own. In today’s society, such lessons are never left to a man and woman to explore and discover in their own time after they are married. Our culture feels the need to teach school children that are unmarried how to do something that they are not prepared for physically, mentally or morally, and wonders why we have the problems we have. Leave them learn it on their own on the wedding night, they’ll discover it, just like Adam and Eve did.
Verses 1 & 2 tell us also that there is a distinct probability that Cain and Abel were twins. Notice in verse 1 we see “and she conceived and bore Cain” and in verse 2 we see “and she again bore his brother Abel.” She only conceived one time, yet bore two children, this would be indicative of twins being born.

(3) And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.

(4) 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:

(5) But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

Much error has been taught concerning these verses. Some men teach that God did not accept Cain’s sacrifice because it was not a blood sacrifice. This teaching is dangerous for the following reasons:

A. At this point in time, there was no law concerning sacrifice.

B. Cain did not have animals to sacrifice, he was a tiller of the ground, to require a blood sacrifice from a man who had no means for the sacrifice is making God out to be cruel, and also violates the very laws set forth later in the Bible concerning Sacrifice.

i. Lev 5:6-13 And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD for his sin which he hath sinned, a female from the flock, a lamb or a kid of the goats, for a sin offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his sin. And if he be not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring for his trespass, which he hath committed, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, unto the LORD; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering. And he shall bring them unto the priest, who shall offer that which is for the sin offering first, and wring off his head from his neck, but shall not divide it asunder: And he shall sprinkle of the blood of the sin offering upon the side of the altar; and the rest of the blood shall be wrung out at the bottom of the altar: it is a sin offering. And he shall offer the second for a burnt offering, according to the manner: and the priest shall make atonement for him for his sin which he hath sinned, and it shall be forgiven him. But if he be not able to bring two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, then he that sinned shall bring for his offering the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering; he shall put no oil upon it, neither shall he put any frankincense thereon: for it is a sin offering. Then shall he bring it to the priest, and the priest shall take his handful of it, even a memorial thereof, and burn it on the altar, according to the offerings made by fire unto the LORD: it is a sin offering. And the priest shall make an atonement for him as touching his sin that he hath sinned in one of these, and it shall be forgiven him: and the remnant shall be the priest's, as a meat offering.

There were certain circumstances in which God made exceptions according to man’s limited ability.

Now, to better understand the reason that the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering, but not unto Cain and his offering, we will need to observe the terminology used to describe the actual offerings.

A. “Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.” What can we see in the wording of this verse? We see the term “of the” this comes from the Greek words “min minnîy minnêy” which is defined properly as “a part of”. Just a part of the fruit of the ground. The Fruit was the reward for his labor. All he brought God was a part of it.

B. “And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof.” We see here that Abel gave God a part of the firstlings of his flock, and a portion of the fat also. Why was this a better offering? Well, he didn’t just give God something, look at the terminology:

a. Firstlings = Hebrew: b^ekôrâh b^ekôrâh (bek-o-raw', bek-o-raw') the firstling of man or beast; abstractly primogeniture: - birthright, firstborn (-ling).

b. Fat = Hebrew: cheleb chêleb (kheh'-leb, khay'-leb) From an unused root meaning to be fat; fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence the richest or choice part: - X best, fat (-ness), X finest, grease, marrow.

With this understanding of what the words actually mean, it should be clearer as to what Abel gave to God in comparison to Cain. Abel gave God of the firstborn or first fruit and gave God of the best as well. Cain simply gave God what he felt like giving Him. God deserves more than what we feel like giving Him, God deserves our first fruits as well as our best fruits, after all, He does give us the increase! Observe the next

(6) And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

(7) If thou doest well, shalt 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.

Here we see God dealing with Cain about his bitter spirit. Cain was jealous of his brother’s acceptance with God. His jealousy was misdirected anger. The anger should have been with himself for failing God in his offerings. notice what God says to him: “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?” God is showing Cain that his unacceptable gift was a result of his own failure, not his brothers success. God was telling Cain that if he does what he is expected to do, he will be accepted, if not he will be subject to sin. The jealousy and rage he was feeling inside was the sinful result of not doing well.