1/4/2012
Chapter 4-
-Chapter 4 focuses on the effects of sin on the descendents of Adam and Eve, and it depicts the famous Cain and Abel narrative as the first murder in human history occurs. Cain offers to God his unaccepted sacrifice of the fruit of the ground, which he tilled. Abel, on the other hand, brought of the firstlings (the best) of his flock and of their fat portions. He kept flocks as his primary work. God accepted and had regard for Abel’s offering.
-Cain gets upset and angry and his countenance fell as he got jealous of God’s favor on his brother. God tells him that if he will simply do well he will regain a proper countenance and favor from the Lord, but if not sin is crouching at the door and its desire is to destroy. God says that he must master sin and turn away from it.
-Cain rejects the advice of the LORD God and his jealousy turns to rage as he kills his brother Abel in the field one day. God again comes asking questions of the sinner, “Where is your brother Abel?” and “What have you done?”. The LORD God knows the answers obviously, but He wants Cain to fess up and admit his mistakes, which Cain is not willing to do. Instead, he makes excuses and denies the sin and complains about his punishment.
-God sends Cain out as a vagrant and wanderer on the earth. Cain has much fear that he will be killed by someone or possibly some animal. God warns that whoever may kill him would be punished sevenfold Cain’s punishment and appoints a sign for him so that he is marked by this command of the LORD God.
-Cain settles in Nod, which east of Eden, gives birth to a son Enoch and builds a city named after his son. Enoch fathers Irad, Irad fathers Mehujael, Mehujael fathers Methushael, and Methushael fathers Lamech, who had two wives the Bible tells us.
-One wife, Adah, gave birth to Jabal, who was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. Jabal has a brother named Jubal, who was the father of those who play the lyre and pipe.
-The other wife of Lamech was Zillah, who gave birth to Tubal-cain. He was the forger of all implements of bronze and iron; and he had a sister named Naamah.
-Lamech says to his wives that he had killed a man for wounding him. The depravity of man is becoming more and more evident along with his creativity and passions in the young world that God had created.
-The chapter ends with the contrast of Adam and Eve’s other son named Seth, whom God gave as a replacement for Abel (the symbol of those who follow the LORD God and put Him first). Seth had a son named Enosh, and it was then that men began to call upon the Name of the LORD.
Verse to Memorize: Genesis 4:7
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