Today's Passage: Genesis 4-6
There are two main stories within this passage that I could discuss. Both are interesting, but if you are like me then you are probably thinking more on the Cain and Abel story. This is the account of two brothers that gives us an example of what not to do.
We see that the Lord had favor on Abel (Gen. 4:4). Cain being the older brother did not take well to God’s decision to show favor to the younger brother. But seriously, can you really blame Cain for being jealous? I am the oldest in my family. My brother is ten years younger than I am. I really get the jealousy part. God told Cain to be careful because he was dangerously close to sin. God warned him, but Cain did not heed the warning. He killed his brother. After that, Cain had the audacity to lie in a seemingly sarcastic way to the Lord.
I constantly picked on my brother during my childhood. My parents seemed to have a keen sense when I would pick on my brother. It would not be uncommon for my dad to ask me something concerning my brother, whether his well being, his location, or simply what he was doing. I would respond to my dad in a way similar to Cain’s, very sarcastic (Gen. 4:9). Such a response showed disrespect for my dad as well as my brother (I probably was not the best older brother during my early teen years!). Cain was a normal guy who really messed up. Things did not turn out like he wanted. God warned him and Cain did not listen. While most of us will never make the huge mistake Cain did, all of us have sin at our door. Your sin may be jealousy like Cain, but it could be something completely different. One thing is for sure, we will all be tempted by sin. It is up to us how to respond. One way to respond is by running from temptation of a particular sin. Another response may be to share your temptation or struggle with others so they can help you through your situation. When sin is crouching at our door, I pray we all learn to listen and follow God. May Cain be a sobering example of the humanity in us all!
I never saw the Lord's rejection to Cains offering as a test....but it was. God wanted to test Cain on his reaction...and even with a warning....he failed the test. Then Cain was cursed...but Noah was the shining light from that family line. In Chapter 6 where it talks about the sons of God and the women of the human race......were they Angels with human women creating a super race of people?
ReplyDeleteThe question of the angels here is a rather difficult one. Over time there have been three possible ways to understand this passage. To see the sons of God as angels is an old interpretation that has trouble fitting into several other Biblical passages. It is most appropriate to see 'sons of God' as the godly line of Seth. The 'daughters of men' here is referring to the line of Cain. This interpretation goes back to the Reformers such as Luther and Calvin. It would not be appropriate to view angels as sleeping with women. There are two good reasons that this would not be angels. One, the reason God sends the flood is to judge humanity (therefore He couldn't judge humanity due to the actions of angels). Two, Jesus shows that angels do not marry (Matt. 22:30).
ReplyDelete