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Genesis 4:9-12

Not only were the first two people on this earth exiled from Eden, but also their firstborn son was exiled even more harshly: He had to wander in the lands to the east with a mark on his head.

Richard T. Ritenbaugh
How to Survive Exile

Related Topics: Cain | Cain's Example | Exile | Exile, Surviving | Mark of Cain

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

Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Genesis 4:9:

Genesis 3:13-15

 

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