Rule Over Sin – (Genesis 4)

In the Garden, we saw the disobedience of two of God’s creations—mankind and the serpent—leading to their exits from the sanctuary. The author then introduces two new characters, brothers—a farmer and a rancher, who try to live in communion with God. They start out right, just like Adam and Eve, until one of them allows sin to rule over him, causing yet another level of separation from God.

Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man.” Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. – Genesis 4:1-2 (NIV)

The meaning of Cain’s name is “brought forth.” Eve seemingly believes the serpent’s claim that she is now equal to God. Just as God created mankind from dust, she sees herself as having brought forth a man with God’s help. The original Hebrew translation of her words is, “I have created a man.” Abel’s name, on the other hand, sounds similar to the Hebrew word for “breath” or hebel. This could reflect Eve’s perception that she has breathed life into another man. Additionally, hebel also means “vapour,” something fleeting—here one day and gone the next. If the name was given by the author, it may allude to the sudden and transient nature of Abel’s life and demise.

Our Offerings

In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. – Genesis 4:3-5 (NIV)

The author does not explicitly explain why Cain’s offering was rejected while Abel’s was accepted. Some suggest it was because Cain did not bring his best fruits, referencing the law given centuries later by Moses (Deuteronomy 26:2). However, the text does not say Cain brought rotten tomatoes or bruised fruits to God.

Instead of seeking clarity from God about the rejection, Cain sulks and becomes angry. As the firstborn, Cain may have been accustomed to getting his way. However, with God, such distinctions hold no weight as He does not measure us by human standards or emotions.

This mirrors how we often react to our own failures. Rather than repenting for our sins, we become angry with God and blame Him for our troubles. We question why He created our difficult boss, why He allowed our tormentors to exist, or why He created Satan. These thoughts fester because we avoid approaching God with our doubts and frustrations.

If we were to truly seek God, we would understand the reason for His decisions and will be able to restore our relationships with Him. But deep down, we often know what we’ve done wrong and our anger and sorrow become a facade to deceive others—and perhaps even ourselves. We simply don’t want to come to God and ask for forgiveness for what we have done.

Crouching Dragon

Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it. ” – Genesis 4:6-7 (NIV)

God reaches out to Cain and questions his anger, asking why he is upset. If Cain had done what was right, wouldn’t he have been accepted by God? But Cain chose to pursue what pleased him rather than obeying God. Similarly, we often follow our own desires and then expect God to accept whatever we offer Him—whether it’s ten percent of our salaries or a half-hearted reading of the daily scripture. We treat God as though He were a beggar who should feel fortunate that we bothered to give Him anything at all.

Offerings are meant to be symbolic gestures of sacrificing something valuable and personal to us that shows our gratitude and devotion to God. However, symbolic gestures are meaningless without genuine gratitude. People give tithes from the bribes and ill-gotten gains they have received, believing it to be a service to God. If we do what is right, why wouldn’t our loving Father accept us? Genuine obedience and a heart aligned with God matter far more than empty rituals or external displays of devotion.

Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations —
I cannot bear your worthless assemblies. – Isaiah 1:13 (NIV)

God knew Cain was about to act in his anger toward God and jealousy toward Abel. God was warning Cain to watch out for sin, the very thing that had polluted the minds of his parents. God describes sin as a crouching animal, lying in wait for us to fall prey to it. All it wants is to have its way with us and devour us. If we adhere to God’s warnings, sin will have no power over us, and we will rule over it.

Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. – Genesis 4:8 (NIV)

Cain moved away from the presence of God. Although God warned Cain not to let sin rule over him, Cain refused to heed God’s instruction. Rejecting God’s warning, he left the presence of God, went out into the fields, and murdered his brother in cold blood.

Similarly, we too can prevent sin from ruling over us if we rely on God’s help. With God’s guidance, we are empowered to resist temptation. We reject God’s help because we love sin and desire to indulge in it. Like Cain, we distance ourselves from God’s presence to commit sin freely, hoping to return later and pretend as if nothing ever happened.

Brother’s Keeper

Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”
“I don’t know, ” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” – Genesis 4:9 (NIV)

God is once again asking questions to which He already knows the answers, offering Cain one last chance for repentance. But Cain rejects this opportunity and spins his own tale, claiming he is not his brother’s keeper. This response shows that Cain has no remorse for what he has done. He believes he has served his own brand of justice. His arrogant answer suggests that he thinks he can outsmart God and that God will never know what he has done.

The same can be said about us when we sin and refuse to repent. We often downplay our offences, convincing ourselves that what we’ve done is justified. We retell the story from our perspective to others, trying to strengthen our case. And, like Cain, we act over-smart, thinking that just because we have fooled the people who bought our story, we can fool God in the same way.

Let us not be fooled into thinking that God does not know what we have done. He knows everything we have said and done ever since the days we were in our mother’s womb. We must listen to His Voice and heed His warnings. Let us come to God with a heart of repentance and allow Him to make us whole again so that we can restore our relationship with Him and commune with Him every single day of our journey on this earth.

Discussion Questions

1. What is the meaning behind the names Cain and Abel?
2. Why did God reject or not favour Cain’s offering?
3. What is the deeper purpose of making offerings?
4. What caution or warning was God giving to Cain?
5. Why did Cain bring Abel out to the field?