3. Cain and His Legacy

Sabbath Afternoon

Prayer Thought

Ever since the fall men have disobeyed God. The Lord gave Cain and Abel directions regarding the sacrifice they were to bring Him. Abel, a keeper of sheep, obeyed the Lord's command, and brought a lamb as his offering. This lamb, as it was slain, represented the Lamb of God, who was to be slain for the sins of the world. Cain brought as an offering the fruit of the ground, his own produce. He was not willing to be dependent on Abel for an offering. He would not go to him for a lamb. He thought his own works perfect, and these he presented to God. {ST, March 21, 1900 par. 3}

"And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering." Abel offered of the first-fruits of his flock, just as God had directed. "But unto Cain and to his offering He had not respect. And Cain was very worth, and his countenance fell. And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well"--in accordance with My directions-- "shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well"--disregarding My word--"sin lieth at the door." {ST, March 21, 1900 par. 4}

Memory Text

If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee [shall be] his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. {Gen. 4:7}

This week's SS Lesson will drive us into the reality of evil through the life of Cain who exercises selfishness and disobedience to God's plan. It also includes two ways of worshipping God - two kinds of people offered as an acknowledgment that He's the Creator of all things, but one was accepted and the other rejected. We will see what's the result of this and its consequences hereafter.

Outline of the Study

Sunday: Cain and Abel: Their Birth - Gen. 4:1-2

Gen. 4:1, 2; 3:15; Ps. 62:9; Ps. 144:4

Monday: The Two Offerings: Their Offering - Gen. 4:3-5

Gen. 4:1-5; Heb. 11:4; Mic. 6:7; Isa. 1:11

Tuesday: The Crime: God Gives Advice - Gen. 4:6-8

Gen. 4:5-7; James 1:14; 1Cor. 10:13

Wednesday: The Punishment of Cain - Gen. 4:9-16

Genesis 4:9-16; 3:19

Thursday: The Wickedness of Man:

The Children of Cain - Gen. 4:17-24

The Children of God - Gen. 4:25-26

Gen. 4:17-25; 3:15; 5:1, 3, 4, 21; 6:1-5, 8.

Friday: Further study and Meditation

Sunday: Cain and Abel: Their Birth - Gen. 4:1-2

Gen. 4:1, 2; 3:15; Ps. 62:9; Ps. 144:4

And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. Gen. 4:1

Cain, the First Born - the Favored One

As far as birth and religious instruction were concerned, these brothers were equal, though Cain, being the first-born, was in some respects the favored one. Both were sinners, and both acknowledged the claims of God as an object of worship. To all outward appearance, their religion was the same up to a certain point of time; but the Bible history shows us that there was a time when the difference between the two became very great. This difference lay in the obedience of one and the disobedience of the other. {ST, December 23, 1886 par. 2}

Sons of Adam Differ in Character

Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam, differed widely in character. Abel had a spirit of loyalty to God; he saw justice and mercy in the Creator's dealings with the fallen race, and gratefully accepted the hope of redemption. But Cain cherished feelings of rebellion, and murmured against God because of the curse pronounced upon the earth and upon the human race for Adam's sin. He permitted his mind to run in the same channel that led to Satan's fall--indulging the desire for self-exaltation and questioning the divine justice and authority. . . . {CC 24.2}

Born of the Flesh and Born of the Spirit

This is so because to begin with we are born of the flesh -- "Cainites" by nature. Consequently, before we are born again, born of the Spirit, and thus put into the strait way, we all travel in the broad way. Besides, the broad way is broad enough for one to carry all that sin offers, but the strait way is narrow enough to exclude everything but the traveler himself. Consequently, comparatively speaking, there are few who choose to deny the desires of the flesh and to forsake sin in all its forms. Naturally, then, many travel the "way which seemeth right unto a man," although "...the end thereof are the ways of death." Prov. 14:12. Now let us turn to the gospel of John, chapter 9: {1TG2: 17.3}

Consider the Following

Eve remembered God’s promise in Genesis 3:15 as she bore her first child. Eve thought Cain was the fulfillment of the prophecy, the seed that would free them from sin.

Evidently, that hope outshined the birth of Abel [hébel in Hebrew], whose name means “vanity” (see Ecclesiastes 12:8).

Apparently, Cain was following God’s orders (Gen. 2:15). Everything seemed to go according to the plan…

Adam's life was one of sorrow, humility, and contrition. When he left Eden, the thought that he must die thrilled him with horror. He was first made acquainted with the reality of death in the human family when Cain, his first-born son, became the murderer of his brother. Filled with the keenest remorse for his own sin, and doubly bereaved in the death of Abel and the rejection of Cain, Adam was bowed down with anguish. He witnessed the wide-spreading corruption that was finally to cause the destruction of the world by a flood; and though the sentence of death pronounced upon him by His Maker had at first appeared terrible, yet after beholding for nearly a thousand years the results of sin, he felt that it was merciful in God to bring to an end a life of suffering and sorrow. {PP 82.2}

Monday: The Two Offerings: Their Offering - Gen. 4:3-5

Gen. 4:1-5; Heb. 11:4; Mic. 6:7; Isa. 1:11

And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. Gen. 4:3

God's Direction Regarding Sacrifices

The Lord gave Cain and Abel directions regarding the sacrifice they were to bring Him. Abel, a keeper of sheep, obeyed the Lord’s command and brought a lamb as his offering. This lamb, as it was slain, represented the Lamb of God, who was to be slain for the sins of the world. Cain brought as an offering the fruit of the ground, his own produce. He was not willing to be dependent on Abel for an offering. He would not go to him for a lamb. He thought his own works perfect, and these he presented to God. . . . {CTr 35.2}

Great Principles of Redemption

These two brothers erected their altars alike, and each brought an offering. Abel presented a sacrifice from the flock, in accordance with the Lord's directions. "And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering." Fire flashed from heaven and consumed the sacrifice. But Cain, disregarding the Lord's direct and explicit command, presented only an offering of fruit. There was no token from heaven to show that it was accepted. . . .

Abel grasped the great principles of redemption. He saw himself a sinner, and he saw sin and its penalty, death, standing between his soul and communion with God. He brought the slain victim, the sacrificed life, thus acknowledging the claims of the law that had been transgressed. Through the shed blood he looked to the future sacrifice, Christ dying on the cross of Calvary; and trusting in the atonement that was there to be made, he had the witness that he was righteous, and his offering accepted. {CC 24.4}

Two Ways and Classes of People

By this history the Lord would teach everybody that His Word is to be implicitly obeyed. Cain and Abel represent two classes—the wicked and the righteous, those who follow their own way and those who conscientiously keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment. . . . {CTr 35.5}

How many ways? -- Just two: the right way and the wrong way. These two ways have always been with us and ever will be as long as both the natural and the spiritual man live on earth. They came into existence with the first two brothers that lived on earth -- Cain and Abel. Those that travel in the strait way are the Abelites, and those that travel in the broad way are the Cainites. There are many travelers in the latter because all that come into this world start out in it, and most of them ever stay in it. {1TG2: 17.2}

Consider the Following

While Cain thought of his offering as his gift to God, Abel understood his sacrifice as a reminder of God’s gift to him.

Cain wanted to be accepted for what he did for God (salvation by works). Abel wanted to be accepted for what God had done for him (salvation by faith).

Abel did not try to force Cain to obey God's command. It was Cain, inspired by Satan and filled with wrath, who used force. Furious because he could not compel Abel to disobey God, and because God had accepted Abel's offering and refused his, which did not recognize the Saviour, Cain killed his brother. {ST, March 21, 1900 par. 9}

Tuesday: The Crime: God Gives Advice - Gen. 4:6-8

Gen. 4:5-7; James 1:14; 1Cor. 10:13

And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. Genesis 4:6, 7.

The Wrath of Cain

The Lord saw the wrath of Cain. He saw the falling of his countenance. Thus is revealed how closely the Lord marks every action, all the intents and purposes, yes, even the expression of the countenance. This, though man may say nothing, expresses his refusal to do the way and will of God. {CC 26.2}

Abel's Life of Obedience -A Perpetual Reproof

Cain hated and killed his brother, not for any wrong that Abel had done, but "because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous." 1 John 3:12. So in all ages the wicked have hated those who were better than themselves. Abel's life of obedience and unswerving faith was to Cain a perpetual reproof. "Everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." John 3:20. The brighter the heavenly light that is reflected from the character of God's faithful servants, the more clearly the sins of the ungodly are revealed, and the more determined will be their efforts to destroy those who disturb their peace. {PP 74.2}

Am I My Brother's Keeper?

Cain the murderer was soon called to answer for his crime. "The Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?" Cain had gone so far in sin that he had lost a sense of the continual presence of God and of His greatness and omniscience. So he resorted to falsehood to conceal his guilt. {PP 77.2}

Consider the Following

Cain got angry with God and his brother because his offering was rejected.

Getting angry with God might make sense because He had rejected his offering. But why did he get angry with his brother? 1 John 3:12.

Wednesday: The Punishment of Cain - Gen. 4:9-16

Genesis 4:9-16; 3:19

When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. Gen. 4:12

A Divine Voice: An Entreaty and Admonition

Again the Lord said to Cain, "What hast thou done? The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto Me from the ground." God had given Cain an opportunity to confess his sin. He had had time to reflect. He knew the enormity of the deed he had done, and of the falsehood he had uttered to conceal it; but he was rebellious still, and sentence was no longer deferred. The divine voice that had been heard in entreaty and admonition pronounced the terrible words: "And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand. When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth." {PP 77.3}

Consider the Following

After Cain killed his brother, God asked him a similar question to the one He asked Adam: “Where is Abel your brother?” (Gen. 4:9).

However, Cain didn’t acknowledge his sin. He didn’t even try to justify it. He just dodged the question and challenged God.

Therefore, God let Cain be cursed from the earth that had drunk the blood of his brother (Gen. 4:11). Cain had chosen to live far from God, so he was condemned to a wandering life (v. 12).

Cain didn’t repent, but he knew that living far from God means death (v. 14). But God cares for sinners by His mercy (Gen. 4:15; Mat. 5:45).

Thursday: The Wickedness of Man

The Children of Cain - Gen. 4:17-24

If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold. Gen. 4:24

Descendants of Cain Became Worse Generation

The descendants of Cain became worse generation after generation. Lamech is a good example of this. He was part of the seventh generation after Adam:

The Sabbath was honored by all the children of Adam that remained loyal to God. But Cain and his descendants did not respect the day upon which God had rested. They chose their own time for labor and for rest, regardless of Jehovah’s express command. . . . {CTr 38.3}

Intermarriage Displeased God, Many were Beguiled into Sin

For some time the two classes remained separate. The race of Cain, spreading from the place of their first settlement, dispersed over the plains and valleys where the children of Seth had dwelt; and the latter, in order to escape from their contaminating influence, withdrew to the mountains, and there made their home. . . . But in the lapse of time they ventured, little by little, to mingle with the inhabitants of the valleys. This association was productive of the worst results. “The sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair.” The children of Seth, attracted by the beauty of the daughters of Cain’s descendants, displeased the Lord by intermarrying with them. Many of the worshipers of God were beguiled into sin by the allurements that were now constantly before them, and they lost their peculiar, holy character. . . . {CTr 38.4}

Sin Spread Abroad Like a Deadly Leprosy

Mingling with the depraved, they became like them in spirit and in deeds; the restrictions of the seventh commandment were disregarded, "and they took them wives of all which they chose." The children of Seth went "in the way of Cain" (Jude 11); they fixed their minds upon worldly prosperity and enjoyment and neglected the commandments of the Lord. Men "did not like to retain God in their knowledge;" they "became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." Romans 1:21. Therefore "God gave them over to a mind void of judgment." Verse 28, margin. Sin spread abroad in the earth like a deadly leprosy. {PP 81.2}

The Children of God - Gen. 4:25-26

Gen. 4:17-25; 3:15; 5:1, 3, 4, 21; 6:1-5, 8.

And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD. Gen. 4:26

Generations of Adam were Being Instructed Faithfully

For nearly a thousand years Adam lived among men, a witness to the results of sin. Faithfully he sought to stem the tide of evil. He had been commanded to instruct his posterity in the way of the Lord; and he carefully treasured what God had revealed to him, and repeated it to succeeding generations. To his children and children's children, to the ninth generation, he described man's holy and happy estate in Paradise, and repeated the history of his fall, telling them of the sufferings by which God had taught him the necessity of strict adherence to His law, and explaining to them the merciful provisions for their salvation. Yet there were but few who gave heed to his words. Often he was met with bitter reproaches for the sin that had brought such woe upon his posterity. {PP 82.1}

The Reality of Death is Being Fulfilled in Human Family

Consider the Following

Eve had faith that the Liberator would come through Seth’s offspring (Gen. 4:25). The messianic seed would be part of Seth’s lineage.

The descendants of Seth (the children of God) and Cain’s (the children of men) were clearly differentiated since Enosh (Gen. 6:1-2).

The offspring of Cain were getting further from God, but Seth’s were trying to come closer to Him. Enoch was also part of the seventh generation since Adam. But his experience stunningly contrasts with that of his cousin, Lamech.

We are children of God. Let’s imitate Enoch and walk with Him every day (Gen. 5:22).

Friday: Further study and Meditation

Praying before doing anything or starting anywhere, will lead you in the right trail and help you overcome every obstacle along the way. The following rules are the sentiments of the Word. Hold your eyes open and your mouth shut when the Spirit gives no utterance. Have your mind active and let not your faith weaken or your courage fail. Keep your knees in motion and let not opportunities be neglected, for "the final movements shall be rapid ones." Thus shall you "walk with God" as Enoch of old, and as he was translated without tasting death so shall you be. {1SC4: 4.3}

Let each seriously inquire of himself as to whether he would have given heed to the teachings of John, Christ, the Apostles, Luther, the Reformers, William Miller, and Sister White, at the cost of having been cast out in each instance for thus following the Lamb whithersoever He went, or whether he would have safeguarded his church membership irrespective of consequences. Only by pursuing the former course could he have walked with God as did Enoch of old. And only by pursuing that course now, can he thus walk with God today. {TN7: 62.1}

Parallel Events in Adam's Family

Eve and Cain, both entertain the temptation - Gen. 3:6-8; compare with Gen. 4:8
Adam and Cain, both will experience the cursed of the earth - (Gen. 3:17; compare with Gen. 4:11)
The Lord drove out Adam from Eden and Cain received an intense curse (4:13) and went out from the presence of the Lord - Gen. 3:24; compare with Gen. 4:12, 16)

Questions to Ponder

Why did Cain slew his younger brother, what are his motives?
Cain as the firstborn should enjoy the blessings from his parents and the Lord, but they grew differently. What lesson could be learned from the life of Cain and Abel?
Why did Cain offer the fruit of his labor instead of following God's instruction? What lesson does it portray here?
In Mic. 6:7 and Isa. 1:11, what principle does it applies to worship that we can relate to the experience of ancient Israel?
How could we explain the tragic crime that exist in the first human family, which was become a pattern of events in all generations?
How can we break this chain that connects to our blood and nature as humans?
Based on the statements above, Enoch had walked with God, How could we imitate his life where sin become rampant and its influence strong?

From the Pen of Inspiration

“The only safeguard against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. It is because selfishness exists in our hearts that temptation has power over us. But when we behold the great love of God, selfishness appears to us in its hideous and repulsive character, and we desire to have it expelled from the soul. As the Holy Spirit glorifies Christ, our hearts are softened and subdued, the temptation loses its power, and the grace of Christ transforms the character.” {MB 118}

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