CAIN AND ABEL

Gen 4:1-16

Morning Meditation 12/27/2012

Of Cain and Abel it may be said: “Two men went up to worship, the one was a Pharisee, the other was a publican (Luke 18:10). Although both had the same privilege and opportunities, they were far from being alike. First of all we see,

SELF-WILL REJECTED

“Unto Cain and his offering God had not respect” (Vs 5). Cain’s heart had to be right before his offering was accepted. His offering was rejected because he rejected the blood sacrifice that was required. The way of Cain was his own way (Jude 1:11).

FAITH ACCEPTED

“The Lord hath respect unto Abel and his offering.” (Vs 4). “By faith Abel offered unto God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain.” (Heb 11:4). “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” (Rom 10:17).

Why did Abel offer a blood sacrifice? He offered it because God had revealed it to him. The fact that he offered it by faith was a revelation that his faith was a response to God’s Word. Cain had the same revelation.

ENMITY MANIFESTED

Cain was wroth (Vs 5). He was religious in appearance but his heart was far from being right. Many in our day have gone the way of Cain. Their approach to God is by their own good works. They refuse to come to God through Christ and are therefore rejected. When you remind them of this they get angry just as Cain did.

MERCY REVEALED

God said, “Why art thou wroth? A sin offering lieth at the door.” (Vss 6-7). God in mercy points out that the only way of acceptance is through the offering of a blood sacrifice. A sin offering must be offered. Christ bore our sins in His own body on the tree.” This sin offering lies at the door of every sinner.

RIGHTEOUSNESS HATED

Verse 8 says, “Cain slew Abel.” Why did Cain murder Abel? 1 John 3:12, "Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous."

The carnal mind would rather quench the divine revelation concerning the right sacrifice than acknowledge sin. Man is a rebel against authority. God says repent and man says, “I won’t.

WICKEDNESS JUDGED

Genesis 4:11, "And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;"

A sinner can reject the gospel but he can’t reject the consequences of his rejection.

JUSTICE VINDICATED

Genesis 4:11, "And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;"

Cain acknowledged the penalty. Genesis 4:13, "And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.” This is the cry of every sinner when he stands condemned at the great white throne judgment.

May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ

Bro. White