Have you ever wondered why Cain killed his brother? What possibly could have been the reason for Cain taking Abel’s life? One day, on that “field of dreams,” Cain ended his younger brother’s life. To understand this act of violence, we need to see the events that preceded this tragedy.
After the fall of Eve and Adam and God’s response to their disobedience, we see the first shedding of blood. Adam and Eve had become aware of their physical differences. The danger of that reality was that they would become more interested in their fleshly desires. God, as a precaution, took the skin of an animal and made a covering for them. (We need to remember that animals were to be a “helper” for Adam, but when God saw that the animals could not be the best “help mate” for him, He created Eve.) Satan has attempted, through the years, to “unclothe” people so as to expose fleshly desires. Pornography has swept into Christian homes and has destroyed many lives. I believe it will not be long before total nudity will fill the big and little screens.
Have you ever wondered what God did with the remains of the dead animal? Could God have used this “sacrifice” as an example that should be followed for future generations? Was the purpose of the “offering” to acknowledge man’s sinfulness? Was it to acknowledge man’s dependence on God? Was it to submit to God’s rule? The Scriptures are full of examples of sacrifices and offerings, all which declare God’s authority.
After being expelled from the Garden, Adam and Eve began a life full of challenges. Eve gave birth to two boys, Cain and Abel. It would seem that the boys were taught the importance of offering blood sacrifices unto God. They would have been taught about what had happened in God’s Garden. Learning the consequences of disobeying God, they would offer an animal sacrifice, acknowledging their sin and God’s Grace of allowing them to live.
As the day of Sacrifice arrived, Abel brought the “firstlings” of his flock to be offered unto God. Cain brought some “fruit” of the ground. Instead of going along with Abel’s offering, he attempted to do his own thing. The Bible says that God had “respect” for Abel’s offering. The blood was the key to the sacrifice. (Jesus would become the “lamb of God” sacrificed for the sins of the world.) When God rejected Cain’s offering, he became very angry, evidenced by his facial expression. (His countenance.) God asked him why he was angry. Cain gave no answer. (It seems that Cain’s anger was aimed at God, not Abel.) God told him that if he does well, he will be accepted, but if he does not do well, sin would be waiting for him. God told him that he could rule over sin. Ignoring God’s Word, he sought out Abel and after talking with him, (wonder what they talked about?) killed him. Later on, God would ask Cain if he knew where Abel was. Cain simply said he didn’t know and then, trying to justify his secret action, said, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” God then asked him the same question He had asked Eve, “What have you done?” Receiving no reply, God passed sentence on Cain. (Ref. Gen.2:18-20; 3:3:7-13; 4:2-11)
Lessons learned: 1. Be obedient to God’s Word. 2. Understand the danger of fleshly desires. 3. Control your emotions. 4. Seek unity with one another. 5. People can resist sin. 6. Realize the significance of the blood sacrifice. 7. Take responsibility for your actions. (There are other lessons learned in this section, continue with No. 8, etc. Have a good study.) (For extra credit; why did Cain kill his brother?)
