Bible Passage: Genesis 4:1-17, 25 

I. After the fall and expulsion of Adam and Eve from the garden, we see them (the first family) in their new place outside of the garden

II. Except physical relationship with Eve, Adam appears to be absent in the narrative (4:1 & 25)

III. Eve named her son “Cain”—“I have begotten a man in association with the LORD!”

1. Except in unusual situations, it’s the man of the house who names his children 2. Most likely, Eve misunderstood Cain to be the messiah “I have begotten a man together with the LORD” 3. Most likely, Eve thought that Cain was the “seed of the woman” of Gen 3:15

a. This probably is the fourth pointer towards Jesus and Gospel (cf. Gen 3:9; 3:15, 3:21) i. 3:9 the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” ii. 3:15 I will put hostility between you and the woman and between your offspring and her offspring; her offspring will attack your head, and you will attack her offspring’s heel.” iii. 3:21 The LORD God made garments from skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them

b. Matt 1:21 “… the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins”

4. Cain pursued his father’s profession, tilling the ground (cf. Gen 3:23) 5. Following Cain, Eve gave birth to Abel (Gen 4:2)—Abel tended flocks

IV. Worship by the first family

1. Worship is integral part of human being; God embedded worship in creation—worship is the first act outside of themselves 2. Cain brought some of the fruits of the field to God (Gen 4:3) 3. Abel also brought an offering—"But Abel brought some of the firstborn of his flock, even the fattest of them” (Gen 4:4) 4. Cain appears to be merely discharges his duty but his brother Abel goes out of his way to please God through his offering 5. The LORD was pleased with Abel and his offering, but with Cain and his offering he was not pleased

a. God looks at the heart of the worshipper before He looks at the means of worship b. Cain appears to be not serious about what he brought to God—verse 7 c. God saw something missing in Cain’s worship “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?”

i. Excitement of worship was missing ii. Desire to please God was missing in his worship

d. “But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it” e. Sin acts like an animal that looks for an opportunity to pounce on its prey—crouching f. When Cain was indifferent towards God in his worship, the enemy (Satan) seized him g. When Cain would not do well, sin would have control over him, but Cain have an opportunity to resist sin and have a mastery over it (obviously, Cain fell in the camp of the enemy) h. The original sin and fallen nature have a natural selection towards Satan and his works against God i. “Cain became very angry, and his expression was downcast” (Gen 4:5) j. The anger Cain showed towards Abel is in effect shown towards God k. Cain’s anger took control of him that it evolved into rage (Gen 4:7) l. Cain murders his brother, Abel, for worshipping God (Gen 4:8)

i. Abel died and became the first martyr (cf. Matt 23:35; Luke 11:51) ii. Abel’s blood is compared with the blood of Jesus (Heb 12:24)

m. God asked Cain “Where is your brother Abel?” (Gen 4:9)—just like He asked Adam n. Instead of showing brokenness, Cain asks a question “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen 4:9) o. Cain spreads godless society (Gen 4:17)

6. Abel, on the other hand, demonstrates true worship by giving God the best— And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering (Gen 4:4)

a. The LORD looks on the person before he looks at the gift b. Hebrews 11:4 says, “By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did” c. Abel gives the best to God, and it pleases Him (Gen 4:4) d. The way Abel’s worship is explained points to the extravagance he showed towards God—"Abel brought some of the firstborn of his flock—even the fattest of them” e. Abel is known only for his worship

i. Though he lived very short, but God uses him as a metaphor for worship ii. Though Abel is dead, he still speaks to believers through his death (Heb 11:4b)

7. Gen 4:16 Cain went out from the presence of the LORD and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden—this verse points to spiritual death and alienation 8. Gen 4:25And Adam had marital relations with his wife again, and she gave birth to a son. She named him Seth, saying, “God has given me another child

a. God provided the seed of the woman from Seth to Jesus the Seed of the woman b. From Abel, God continued to receive worship through the blood of the unblemished animal 

V. The good news is that Jesus is the new Abel

1. Hebrews 12:24 you have come to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel 2. Abel’s blood called for vengeance—The voice of your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground (Gen 4:10) 3. But Jesus’ blood brings mercy and grace 4. Jesus, the New Abel, is both the means and enabler of worship 

Takeaway: Renounce insincere worship to the Triune God by offering to Him a worship that is extravagant and acceptable