Study From the Book of Genesis,4

Study From the Book of Genesis,4

Today we study chapter 4 of the Book of Geneses. There are many biblical principles and lessons in this chapter. But I choose two the most useful ones in the Biblical Counselling.

The verb knew is a splendid euphemism for sexual intercourse. It describes an intimate relationship that includes ardour and passion, but also mutually and oneness. This was an act of procreation. The name Cain is related to a word meaning “craftsman.” But it also sounds like the Hebrew word translated I have acquired.

We have no explanation of the name Abel as we have with Cain. Perhaps after Abel was murdered, the parents looked back with sadness on the brevity of his life and called him Abel that means vapor because his life was over so quickly. The story of Cain and Abel begins a motif in Genesis of competing sons like Esau and Jacob in chapter 25.

Cain’s sacrifice of fruit was deficient because it did not involve the shedding of blood, which God required for forgiveness of sin as in Heb. 9:22. However, the Abel’s sacrifice was the best that he had to offer-the firstborn and their fat. So, Abel also brought the very best. There is no similar description for Cain’s sacrifice.

Something deficient in Cain’s attitude was reflected in his offering. Instead of reopening of his wrongdoing, Cain became angry and filled with jealousy. The gracious words of the Lord were that Cain could get it right! He did not have to go angry and morose; he could do well. Sin was lying at the door, about to pounce on him like a lion. The murder was stunning in its lack of precedent. Its suddenness, and it was finality. Jesus spoke of this event as a historical fact in Matt. 23:35. The blood of Abel cries out until the blood of the One, even more innocent than Abel, is shed. In this manner of his death, Abel depicts the Saviour Jesus.

Sadly, Cain expressed his distress only at the punishment he received, not at the crime he had done. Nor there any note of repentance.  Most have assumed that the others whom Cain feared were sisters and brothers already born but not mentioned of those yet to be born.

Cain most likely acquired a wife from among his other siblings The fact that Cain built a city named of his son speaks of a dramatic, rapid increase in population. In quick succession, six generations from Cain to Lamech are mentioned. The verse indicates a rapidly expanding population, for the listing of each of these sones includes corresponding wives.

Lamech took two wives, suggests a deliberate attempt of Lamech to subvert the original pattern of God of one man and one woman.  What also follows is a boastful taunt song of that captures the violent spirit of Lamech. Lamech indicates that he has followed in the worst pattern of his ancestor Cain. Lamech boasted that by himself he would greatly magnify the vengeance on any one who attacked him.

After a long sad digression about Cain and his descendants, we return to Adam and Eve. And their new progeny. With the death of Abel and the expulsion of Cain, Adam and Eve had no son to carry on their line for good and for the promise of the Messiah. Hence the importance of the birth of Seth. His name is related to the Hebrew verb meaning “to place” or “to set” for he was appointed to take the place of the murdered son in the plan of God. The birth of Enoch meant that the line of Seth would continue; the promise of the Lord would not be forgotten.

Structure

Verses 1-15: Cain murders Abel. 

Verses 16-24: the family of Cain.

Verses 25-26: A new son.

Principle 7: verse 4:7- ----"If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

Lesson 7: God told Cain that obedience always brings blessing, but Cain allowed his anger to lead him into terrible sin.

Principle  8 verse 4:23: ----” For I have killed a man for wounding me, even a young man for hurting me.”

Lesson 8: Bad things happen when we refuse to repent of our sin. Adam and Eve’s sin led to a murderous son. Cain’s descendant Lamech killed a man merely for hurting him-and Lamech celebrated instead of repenting.28/9/2025.