“…in the process of time it Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, but THE LORD DID NOT RESPECT CAIN AND HIS OFFERING. And CAIN WAS VERY ANGRY, and his countenance fell. So the LORD said to Cain, “WHY ARE YOU ANGRY? And why has your countenance fallen? IF YOU DO WELL, WILL YOU NOT BE ACCEPTED? And IF YOU DO NOT DO WELL, SIN LIES AT THE DOOR. And ITS DESIRE IS FOR YOU, but YOU SHOULD RULE OVER IT.” (Gen. 4:3-7)
This is one of the more difficult verses in Scripture. Its exact translation and meaning has been the subject of much debate. As it is translated here, the problem with Cain’s offering lies with HIS ATTITUDE. Sin is depicted as a crouching animal waiting to pounce upon its prey. IF THE PERSON DOES NOT RESIST THE SIN, THEN GREATER RUIN CAN OCCUR IN HIS LIFE. God tells Cain that he has the ability to fix the situation by mastering the sin that is controlling him. Unfortunately, Cain did not learn his lesson-it led him to committing a greater sin, murdering his brother. Upset at both God and his brother, Cain then went out and killed Abel. This clearly showed that he did not learn the lesson that God tried to teach him. “For this is the message that you heard from…that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because HIS WORKS WERE EVIL AND HIS BROTHER’S RIGHTEOUS.” (1 John 3:11-12)
WE MUST RESIST SIN WILL, AND DO WHAT’S RIGHT…
-Bill Stockham