Scriptural text: Genesis 4:1-13
Sibling Rivalry (Genesis 4:1-7):
Eve’s Sons (vv. 1-2). Adam and Eve had many sons and daughters (Gen. 5:4). But Cain and Abel seem to be the two eldest. Some think they were twins, and, as, Esau and Jacob, the elder hated but the younger loved.
The names of the two sons: Cain signifies possession; for Eve, when she bore him, said with joy, I have gotten a man from the Lord. Abel signifies vanity. When she thought she had obtained the promised seed in Cain, she was so taken up with that possession that another son was as vanity to her. It intimates the longer we live in this world the more we see the vanity in it.
The employments of Cain and Abel.
They both had a calling. Their employments were different that they might trade and exchange with one another as there was occasion. Their employments belonged to the husbandman’s calling. Their father’s profession, for the king himself is servant of the field. Abel was a keeper of the sheep. Cain was a farmer, a worker of the ground.
The Sons’ Offerings (vv. 3-5a):
The offerings of Cain and Abel were different. Cain brought of the fruit of the ground. Cain showed a proud, unbelieving heart. Therefore he and his offering was rejected. Abel came as a sinner, according to God’s appointment, by his sacrifice expressing humility, sincerity, and believing obedience. Thus, seeking the benefit of the new covenant of mercy, through the promised Seed, his sacrifice had a token that God accepted it. Abel gave of the firstlings of his flock, the best that he had, and the fat thereof. Abel offered in faith, and Cain did not. In all ages there have been two sorts of worshippers, such as Cain and Abel, namely proud, hardened despisers of the gospel method of salvation.
God’s Warning (vv. 5b-7).
Cain expressed displeasure at the difference God made between his sacrifice and Abel’s. Cain was very wroth, which presently appeared in his very looks, for his countenance fell, which expressed not so much as his grief, as his malice and rage. God recognized this and initiated a conversation with him by asking questions. This echoes His approach to Adam and Eve. This tactful approach from the powerful Creator emphasizes God’s loving desire for relationship. God still actively sought out relationship with the man.
Divine Mercy (Genesis 4:8-15):
Fratricide (v. 8). Malice in the heart ends in murder by the hands. Cain slew Abel, his own brother, his own mother’s son, whom he ought to have loved; his younger brother, whom he ought to protected. He denies the crime as if he could conceal it from God. Cain did not slay Abel at home; he led him into the field. Maybe this is where Abel raised his sheep, or where Cain raised his own crops. Or maybe he meant to hide and bury his brother in the field.
Consequences (vv. 9-12).
The Lord again confronted Cain with a question. And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not.
Cain’s lie indicated that he thought he could play dumb and God would be none wiser. Am I my brother’s keeper? Abel was earlier introduced as a “keeper” of flocks. In essence Cain asked God, “Am I the keeper of the keeper?
This time the Lord’s question is rhetorical. There’s no need for Cain to say anything, because Abel’s blood was crying out loudly. God will later declare the shedding of innocent blood to be a pollution of the land (Numbers 35:33).
Limiting Consequences (vv. 13-15).
And the Lord said unto him, Therefore, whomever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken upon him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
References: Matthew Henry (Concise) Commentary; 2021-2022 KJV Standard Lesson Commentary