Shattered Visage (Genesis 4)

Shattered Visage (Genesis 4)

Being Human Series

Collin Leong. 19/5/2017

1. Recap

a) Genesis 3: Root of Sin

• Some people believe that if a baby is brought up in a perfect environment without evil influence, he will grow up perfectly innocent. This theory is dispelled by the fact that Adam and Eve still chose to disobey even when they were in paradise, had no original sin, and the Holy God was their only parent. Satan never asked Eve to eat of the fruit - she chose it herself after weighing the pros and cons. 

• When man chose to have the knowledge of good and evil, they were essentially saying that they wanted to decide what is right and wrong, rather than letting God decide for them. This disobedient decision has three immediate effects (other than the eventual physical death):

• Deterioration of the relationship with God. Noticed that God did not avoid them. It is they who hid from God. 

• Deterioration of relationship with each other. Adam blamed Eve for causing him to sin. Later, their sons became mortal enemies. 

• Their state of innocence was replaced by a state of conscience which immediately caused them to be ashamed of their nakedness.

Sin results in man rejecting God, not God rejecting man.

b) Genesis 4: Fruit of Sin

• Unfortunately, in the story of Cain and Abel, we see how conscience and guilt was ignored. The story gives a classic example of how the sinful nature react wrongly to conscience and blatantly disobeys God. 

• We learn that the ignoring conscience led to a series of “wrongs” – wrong worship, wrong emotion, wrong actions and  wrong attitudes. 

• As a result, we continue to see further deterioration of relationship with God and with fellow man. 

• However, we also see God's faithfulness, even to Cain, and where even his punishment is redemptive in nature.

• Over time, conscience became corrupted, resulting in unbridled evil in the world to the point that God had to destroy all life except for Noah's family. We see the same things in our world today, where truth and evil are all relative and where God is just a myth.

• We cannot change the world, but we can be more aware of how we respond to our conscience, which has been made alive again by the Spirit ("renewing of the mind" - Rom 12:2), and how susceptible our hearts are to self-deceit.  
• The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jer 17:9)

Conscience is a sense of right and wrong, and when violated or about to be violated, it produces guilt. Just like physical pain, guilt is good if responded to in a proper manner.

2.     God Looks At The Heart

Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. (v1-2)

• Cain = “to acquire”, “to create”, “posession” 
• Abel = “vanity”, “worthless”, “breath/vapor”
• Eve appeared to have preference for Cain. He was the first born, and perhaps has certain physical features she liked. Cain could have been spoiled by his parents that partially contributed to his pride and terrible attitudes.
• · “…for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Sam 16:7)

3.      Wrong Worship

In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. (v3-5a)

Why did the Lord reject Cain and his offering?

a) What is because he brought the wrong type of sacrifice? 

• “Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” (Heb 9:22)

• There is a universal understanding that blood sacrifices are required by God, even in other cultures and religions. God made the first sacrifice when an animal was killed in order to provide skin covering for Adam and Eve. Perhaps Adam and Eve had taught their children about this, and Cain did not take it seriously. 

• However, grain and harvest offerings were also accepted and institutionalized during the dispensation of the Law of Moses. Thus it is unlikely that God rejected Cain’s offering because it is the wrong type. 

• Nevertheless, it does remind us that we should treat biblical instructions accurately and seriously, such as baptism, communion, and so on.

b) Was it because he didn’t bring the best of what he had?

• ...you shall keep a feast to Me in the year:.. The Feast of Harvest, the firstfruits of your labours…” (Exodus 23:14-16) 

• Abel brought the “firstborn” of his flock and “fat portions” i.e. “choicest”. No qualitative description was given to Cain’s offerings which may indicate that Cain gave whatever was available or even left overs. 

• Bringing the best to God is significant because they reflect the the perfect gift that He has given to us – the Lord Jesus Christ, the perfect, sinless Son of God. Animal sacrifices reflect his death, while the firstfruit offering (first of the harvest) reflects his resurrection. 

• Have we been giving God our first and best, or our only “spares” – time, money, effort, etc.?

We give God our best because it reflects Jesus as the perfect sacrifice and the firstfruit of the ressurection

c) Was it because something is not right with his heart?

• Notice that God not only had “no regards” (no respect) for the offering but also for Cain himself.  There are three key things that prevents us from worshiping God properly:

• Hidden sins. “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22). “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Ps 66:18)

• Animosity against a brother/sister. “leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Mat 5:25)

• Doubt or Disbelief. “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous... and without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:4,6).

To God, the heart of the giver is more important than the gift. 

4.      Wrong Emotions

So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” (v5b – 7)

a. What was Cain’s response when God rejected his gifts? Why?

• Cain treated the offering like it's some kind of "transaction", and expected God to respond according to his own expectations. When he didn't receive it, he was angry at God, and later at this brother.

b. Can you remember when God did not give you what was expected? How did you feel? Why?

• God needs nothing from us, and owes nothing to us.
• So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.” (Luke 17:10 ESV)

Our gifts and services to God is not a transaction for blessings. Rather, it is an act of thanksgiving for the transaction that God had already completed on our behalf.

c. What did God say Cain (or you) should do, after failing the first time?

• "If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up?” (NASB) 

• Right actions produces right (and good) emotions – it's a conscience mechanism. Similarly, wrong thoughts or actions produces guilt that weighs down the whole person and has both physiological and psychological effects:
• “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” (Prov 17:22)

When our conscience is clear, it promotes happiness and health.

d. What does it mean by “sin is crouching at the door” and “you must rule over it?”

• “Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry” or "don't sin by letting anger control you." (NLT) (Eph 4:26)
•  “But I discipline my body and keep it under control” (1 Cor 9:27)

e.  Responding to conscience in the right way.

• “They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them “ (Rom 2:15-16)

• It appears that Cain had some unrighteous thoughts in his mind (perhaps against his brother?) and his guilt is bothering him. However he reacted in anger, and God warned him that he in danger of committing a serious sin unless he exercise self-control. Alas, he did not.

When our conscience speak against us, we only have a small window to put our thoughts and emotions under the control of the spirit. 

5.      Wrong Actions

Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?” And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground. (v8-10)

a)  What did Cain’s response to God show about his heart?

•  “…gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! “ (Heb 9:9,14)

• "in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron" (1 Tim 4:1-2)

b)  Recall the last time God pointed out a wrong attitude or emotion.

• How did you deal with it? Did you deny it? Did you avoid facing it? Did you act on it? Or did you surrender it to God? 

c)  What does “blood crying from the ground” means?

• The cry of justice for those sinned against: “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Rom 12:19)

d) Whose blood is also crying from the ground?

• The cry for justification for the sinner:  “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” (Rom 5:8-9)

The blood of our sins cries out for justice; but the blood of Jesus cries out louder for justification

6.  Wrong Attitudes

And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” (v11 – 14)

a. What one word describes Cain’s response to God? 

• self-centred? unremorseful? unrepentent? self-pity? 

b. What was your response when God punishes you?

• Some of us may have trouble accepting that God "punished" his children. In both the OT and NT, there were examples of direct and serious consequences of serious sins (eg: Ananias and Sapphira - Acts 5:1-10; Christians who violated the Lord's Supper - 1Cor 11:29-30). 

• However in most cases, God allows circumstances and consequences to discipline us. (eg: the prodigal son - Luke 15:11-32). As one CG member said: God's punishment is redemptive in nature. His intention is to bring repentance. 

• “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (Heb 12:5,6,11) 

• When we feel we are being disciplined, it is advised that we take some time to re-assess if we have any hidden sin, or is it a test or trial. 
• Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psa 139:23-24)

Wrong Worship is the slippery slope to all evil thoughts and actions. Right Worship is “to love thy God with all thy heart”.  

(Mat 22:37)

7. God’s Redemptive Punishment

Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him. Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. (v15 – 16)


a) Despite Cain's serious rebellion and sin, how does God treat him?

• God could have taken Cain's life for murdering his brother. Yet, He only banished Cain and even protected him from being killed by others. (Note: The capital punishment for murder was not institutionalized until after the flood - see Gen 8:20-22)
• "… For the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate, and will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him.“ 2 Chro 30:9

b)  Do you think Cain ever repented? How did his sin pass down to subsequent generations?

• Lamech said to his wives “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say: I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me. If Cain's revenge is sevenfold, then Lamech's is seventy-sevenfold.” (Gen 4: 23-34)

• In contrast, the line of Seth led to the only righteous man on earth - Noah. (Gen 5)

• Unresolved sins will pass down to the next generation:
• "... but He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generations.' (Number 14:18)

• However, also in Numbers 14:18, it says God is "abundant" in lovingkindness and forgiveness:
• 'The LORD is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression;" 

• In other words, sin by its nature is inheritable up to four generations; but God is active in being patient with us, keeps loving us, keeps forgiving us when we return to him. When we repent and return to him through Jesus Christ in ANY generation, the inheritable power of sin is broken! 
• Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Rom 8:1-2)
• Praise God!

Each of us carry the effects of the sins of our forefathers; But in Christ the curse of sin stops here and goes no further

b)  What does the “mark” on Cain mean or signify? 

• Other times God “marked” his people: Eze 9:4; Rev 7:3.
• It is a mark of protection, where the person is supernaturally protected against harm.
• But more importantly, it is a mark of ownership. It allows the person to testify about his mistakes and hopelessness until God one day put a mark on him.

c) What "mark" did God put on you?

• Every Christian is marked by the Holy Spirit.  “He annointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (2 Cor 1:22)

• However, there are other "marks" a Christian can carry:
• A physical "mark" - eg: handicap, sickness, scar from abuse, or even tattoos from a life past
• A psychological "mark" - eg: trauma, bad memories, sad memories

• God allowed us to carry such scars in our lives so that we can remember how He has given us grace to overcome them and they serve as a living testimony of His loving kindness. 

• Think of a "mark" you have now, and thank God for that "mark of ownership", and surrender it to Him for his glory.

God can turn the ugly marks of our past into glorious marks of His ownership

Memory Verse

Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. (Rom 12:1-2)