The spirit of Cain

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 4:1-2a (NIV)

There is a lot left out of the story we read in Genesis. For instance, the time between the first and second halves of Genesis 4:2 is enough for two babies to grow to adulthood. Somewhere along the way, an early system of worship was provided and observed. The information given, though scant, provides some insight about that system, and more important to the overall Bible narrative, the human condition.

Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 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.  –Genesis 4:2b-5a (NIV)

Abel’s sacrifice was a strong, healthy animal, specially picked from among the first generation born to his livestock. Cain didn’t bring his best sacrifice. Ignoring whatever instructions God had given, he decided any old sacrifice would do. You can almost picture him shrugging his shoulders: “Fine, I’m here. I brought an offering. It’s not what you asked for. So what?” What happens next is as fascinating as it is tragic….

So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. 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.”

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 4:5b-8 (NIV)

Learning his sacrifice was lacking, Cain had opportunity to make correction, to set things right and move on. Instead, Cain got angry. Judging the Judge, he determined that “the system” was oppressive. When warned about the choice that was before him, Cain took the path of rebellion. If he couldn’t do it his way, he would cancel his brother-turned-rival. As always happens with sin, the collateral damage ripped through the generations.

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”

“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.”

Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear.”  –Genesis 4:9-13 (NIV)

Holding out hope for redemption, God gave Cain one more chance to come clean. But Cain went for the cover-up, denying all responsibility and all knowledge. Once his sentence was levied, there was no remorse over the crime he had committed, only his pitiful cry of “Not fair!” A series of bad choices and a steadfast refusal to turn back ensured that Cain would forever be banished from his now fractured family, and more importantly, the presence of God.

Unfortunately, the spirit of Cain is still alive and well. We see it in those who pridefully reject the proven paths, thinking they have devised or discovered some better way. Don’t be one of them. Cain was a fool. We have the same choices that Cain did. To do right or not. To listen to wise instruction or double down on foolishness. To own our decisions or blame others. To take corrective action or lash out in anger. To confess sin or cover it up. To express sorrow for the pain we’ve caused or become bitter over the consequences that come as a result. Choose wisely.