What the Bible says about Cain, Way of
(From Forerunner Commentary)

Genesis 4:1-15 In the well-known story of Cain and Abel, the first man born on the earth also becomes the first murderer. A few points in this account are significant: Cain killed Abel after a quarrel over a sacrifice to God. Cain brought a sacrifice, but God would not accept it because it did not meet His standards. While Abel's offering showed his complete submission to God, Cain's hints at grudging worship of God - and that done in his own way. Becoming angry and sullen over his rejection, he quarreled with and killed his brother. Then, he lied to God's face! He had no fear of God or the consequences of sin. Cain's retort to God's inquiry as to Abel's whereabouts is also significant: "Am I my brother's keeper?" Cain's attitude of indifference toward his fellow man greatly influenced later generations. Coupled with his entirely selfish attitude, Cain tried to take advantage even of God's curse upon him. Using a "woe is me" ploy, he "convinced" God to guard his life from anyone avenging Abel's murder. The way of Cain - idolatry, murder, deceit, selfishness, hypocrisy - saturated Pre-Flood society to the point that God, seeing the wickedness of man, regretted He had even created humanity (Genesis 6:5-7). Richard T. Ritenbaugh 'As It Was In the Days of Noah' Related Topics: Cain | Cain, Way of | Days of Noah | Deceit | Deceitfulness | Hypocrisy | Idolatry | Murder | Murder, Spirit of | Pre-Flood Society | Self Absorption | Self Centeredness | Self Pity | Selfish Ambition | Selfish Attitude | Selfish Desire | Selfishness | Spirit of Murder | Wickedness | Wickedness of Man

Genesis 4:6-7 We can interpret this two ways. First, from the beginning of God's dealings with mankind, He shows a major objective for man is to be accomplished by overcoming, mastering sin's desire to control and manipulate. Sin's desire is always lurking within man's moral and ethical choices, and he needs to be aware of it and have the drive to conquer it. Second, it is a warning contained in a prophecy to all but given specifically to Cain. God perceived in him a strong proclivity to sin, so much that he would become a master of it. In today's parlance, Cain would become a real "pro" at sinning. The warning is not to allow oneself to follow Cain's example, which gives the impression that he nurtured sin dwelling in him. John W. Ritenbaugh The Elements of Motivation (Part Seven): Fear of Judgment Related Topics: Abiding in Sin | Addiction to Sin | Cain's Example | Cain, Way of | Elements of Motivation: Fear of Judgment | Overcoming | Sin's Desire

 

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