Not Abandoned; The Story of Cain and Abel

Oct. 26

Read: Genesis 4:1-4

The Story of Cain and Abel;

Not Abandoned

“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.” (v.3,4)

“In the course of time…” What an interesting phrase. Can you imagine the earth during that first stretch of time? What must it have been like for Adam and Eve? Now outside of God’s Temple - the Garden of Eden - they were left to their work of “fruitful multiplication” and “filling the earth”. (cf. Gen. 1:28) I wonder what Eve thought of when Cain was born? Was she thinking of God’s promise in Genesis 3 that one of her offspring would conquer the “serpent” (Devil)? Cain’s name means “gotten”; and Eve declares that she has “gotten a man with the help of God.”

There is something strange about this declaration that pushes back against how I was always taught about “the fall” and about God. For as long as I can remember, I was taught about how “the fall” and “sin” separated us from God. The picture was that God became distant…went away from… was repelled by “sin”. It was as if “sin” was God’s proverbial kryptonite; as if he winced when we came near it and recoiled / retreated as soon as he could. Over time, the idea developed that God would not talk to or interact with a person who was a “sinner”. Romans 5 tells us that “sin entered the world through one man” and that man as Adam. (Romans 5:12-14) Yet, God seems to remain in relationship with Adam and Eve!? He seems to continue to interact with them… to talk with them… to aid them in what they are doing… and to “give to Eve” a son. In short, God seems more willing to patiently, lovingly, and graciously remain in relationship with Adam and Eve and he calls them to repentance and continues to lead them even after they “fell”. (cf.“the fall” as the name given to Adam and Eve’s actions in the garden.) God didn’t retreat to some far corner of the universe after Adam and Eve sinned. God didn’t shake his head, wag his finger, and then turn his back on Adam and Eve. God didn’t cut off communication with them and stop leading them although they were ushered out of the Garden of Eden (God’s Temple at the time). *God is so good and kind to us that he calls us back into relationship with him… calling us to repentance and his willingness to forgive us and restore us… and he does this “while we were yet sinners”. (cf. Rom. 5:8)

Eventually the first “family” is formed and the boys grow old enough to work the fields and raise animals. “In the course of time” Cain brings an offering to the Lord. Have you ever stopped to think about this? What was Cain doing exactly? Where did he get the idea of bringing an “offering”? What is an “offering” anyways? We have been so conditioned to think of an “offering” as killing an animal that it may seem weird to see Cain bring an offering of the fruit of the ground. Abel brings one as well, and his seems more familiar - a firstborn of his flock with fat portions. Here is the truth. These first “offerings” are both FOOD. This scene is a MEAL WITH GOD. God was having dinner with Cain and Abel. It was a shared meal. During this time, humans ate the food from the ground and God “ate” the animal / fat portion. (We humans did not have permission to eat animals yet.) Cain and Abel were sitting down to share a meal with God and enjoy his company and presence. God was willing to come to a “dinner party” with this first family! We all know the significance of a shared meal… it has little to do with the actual food and so much to do with the people you are eating it with!

This is point I want to make for today: Despite the “fall” of Adam and Eve and the issue of “sin” entering into the world… God is still willing to patiently and lovingly guide humanity back to himself. He continues calling his creation to repentance and trust in him. He did not abandon them and tell them to “figure it out on your own”. He did not leave them in the dark as a consequence for their sin. In fact, it does not seem like God is super angry with them… like he is granting Eve a boy and sharing a meal with Cian and Abel through “gritted teeth”. God is quite willing to restore relationship with Adam, Eve, Abel, Cain, and so on provided they turn to him in repentance and faith. “In the course of time” God revealed himself to this first family and gave them instructions as to how they ought to live. He evidently told them what he liked to eat! God is still willing to share a meal with us TODAY. In fact, when he came in the person of Jesus Christ he instituted a shared meal with him that we have as a church… it’s called “The Lord’s Supper”. God loves to sit down with his people and “share a meal”… this has been the case from the beginning. God’s love and pursuit of us is so much bigger than our sin! He is patently calling us to turn to him. Love you guys. - JDP

*Sin is a big deal to God. Sin matters. I don’t want anyone to mis-read what I am saying here. Simply put, I want us to see how “hands on” God is and willing to call us to repentance and relationship with him. Sin matters… obviously. Jesus came to earth to “take away” our sins; God has gone to great lengths to solve the problem of sin on our behalf.