Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.” And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”
Comment: I have no idea how Adam and Eve dealt emotionally with what had happened. There is no more talk about God having an evening stroll with them. Was there a bit of accusatory arguing because of their changed circumstances? I would fancy that there was but they found comfort in bed and thus Cain and Abel are born. What happens when the two sons brought different offerings for God. The rejection of Cain’s offering presupposes that somehow God had got through to them what he wanted as an offering. Over the intervening centuries I am sure that there has been much time spent discussing and many pages written about this event. But it seems pretty obvious that God had made clear what He wanted/expected or else He was unfair; which is a charge I would never lay at God’s feet. We can’t help but see Cain’s anger, nor can we fail to see God’s graciousness in His advice to Cain. Sin is always waiting to spring but God expects people (and He tells Cain plainly) to have backbone in their fight against temptation.
Prayer: Thank You for Your promised help when I struggle against my fallen nature.
As I read it! 