Sin Grows Worse

Both Offered

• Eve bore Cain, Abel, Seth and other children (4:1-2, 25; 5:4)

• God had respect for Abel’s sacrifice (4:3-5)• Abel offered by faith (Hebrews 11:4) – It was a working faith (Jam. 1:22; 2:17)– God must have given directions (Rom. 10:17)

• God witnessed Abel’s sacrifice and its righteousness (followed divine law)– “Witness” & “testifying” – give good report– Cain’s works were evil (1 John 3:11-12)

God’s Will or Man’s?• Cain offered of the “fruit of the ground”

• Abel offered the “firstlings of his flock” and “of the fat thereof”

• God wants obedience and a faithful doing of his will (1 Sam. 15:22; Mt. 6:1-6, 16-18)

• God would take Cain back if he did right– He did as he willed but got angry because his

sacrifice was rejected– Cain could rule over his sin (Gen. 4:5-7)– Or sin crouched, ready to rule over him

He Yet Speaks!

• Cain murdered his brother (Gen. 4:8)• God gave Cain a chance to repent (4:9)• Abel, though dead, still speaks– Blood calls for vengeance (4:10; Heb. 12:24)

• God punished Cain (4:11-13)– Cursed and condemned to be a fugitive– Cain said it was more than he could bear– God placed a mark on him to warn others (4:14-

15)

Sin Grows Worse

• Cain went to live with his wife in the land of Nod (4:16-18; compare 3:20)

• Lamech, a descendant of Cain, is the first polygamist and second murderer (4:19-24)– He boasted of his evil works and the greater

punishment he deserved

The Promised Seed

• Man might have seen God’s plan defeated in the death of the one righteous man

• God caused Eve to bear another son

• She named him Seth (appointed) because God appointed a seed to replace Abel

Genesis 4:25-26