Scripture:
Genesis 4:4-7 ESV
[4] and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, [5] but for Cain and his offering, he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. [6] The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? [7] 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.”
Observation:
Why did all this happen? Why did Cain kill his brother? Well, some would say because he was able. Haha, that’s my little joke.so let’s get to it. Able brought a blood sacrifice, and Cain brought the work of his hands. If we look back a few chapters to the fall, we can see GOD giving us an example. Adam used fig leaves, and GOD used animal skin. We can see GOD showing us from the beginning. The work of our hands will not do it. HE favored Ables’ sacrifice, but Cain’s HE did not. A stern warning was given to Cain. Sin is waiting, and he was to control it, but its desire was not for him. James 1:14-15 tells us where it all starts, and Genesis 4:7 tells us how sneaky it really is. Jeremiah 17:9 tells us what to look out for. My point in this observation is that GOD gave Cain a warning about his heart. HE could see it on his face. Cain was comparing himself to his brother and fell short in his own eyes.
Application:
The first murder of a man was done with a rock more than likely and gave us a picture of our heart without Jesus. The blood sacrifice that Able brought to GOD was, again, a picture of Jesus. That’s why it was accepted by GOD. When we bring anything other than Jesus to the Father, we will be found lacking what we need, and sin will be waiting for us. Remember, its desire is not to help us. It is to hurt us. Sin brings forth death. Cain’s comparison to his brother left him feeling like he wasn’t good enough. None of us are. It’s only because of Jesus that I am typing this today. The work of our hands will never do it, and when we compare ourselves to someone else, we will always fall short. If I looked at the highlight reel of those around me, I would forget the purpose GOD has for me, we are all brothers and sisters when one of us struggles. We all struggle, and when one of us rejoices, we all rejoice. The bottom line is that GOD’S path for me is going to be different than his path for you, but if that path includes Jesus, we will meet at the same place in the end.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for making us all a little different. Thank you for making my brothers and sisters to sharpen me and me to sharpen them. You are good. Help us to look at the path that you have for us and not compare it to the path of those next to us. We know that your plan is different for each of us. However, that plan always includes Jesus and, therefore, leads us all to the same place. Without HIM, we are nothing. In Jesus’ name, I pray amen.