"Then the Lord said to Cain, 'Where is your brother Abel?'"
"'I don't know,' he replied. 'Am I my brother's keeper?'"
Genesis 4:9
This is the first murder, God knows what happened to Abel and yet he is giving Cain the chance confess all. Why didn't he just strike him down before he killed Abel? But God has given us freewill and he loves us all - even the murderers.
Again Cain didn't take the opportunity God was giving him to repent. Instead he denies any knowledge with that famous line, "Am I my brother's keeper?" In other words, my brother is old enough to take care of himself and doesn't need me watching out for him.
How many chances does God give us before it's too late for us?
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Genesis 4:8
"Now Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let's go out to the field.' And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him." Genesis 4:8
The Qbible doesn't translate what Cain said to Abel. It only says Cain talked to Abel and then when they were in the field Cain killed Abel. Did they spend time together often? Did Cain plan the murder of his brother before hand or was it in the heat of the moment?
Anyone that has siblings knows how frustrating they can be, even when they're not doing anything wrong. They're your siblings, they're suppose to think like you and understand you, right? Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case. Even my brother, who I am the closest too, thinks differently then me about a lot of things and it can lead to some friction.
Cain let all of his anger and jealousy towards his brother control him and he killed him. So here is the first recorded death. Did they even realize what that was going to be like before then? God had warned Adam and Eve about it back in Genesis 2:17 when he told them the consequences if they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but being told about something is different then living through it and experiencing it.
Whether he fully understood what his actions would bring about or not, Cain still did an evil thing. He ignored the warnings God had given him before and had physically attacked his brother.
The Qbible doesn't translate what Cain said to Abel. It only says Cain talked to Abel and then when they were in the field Cain killed Abel. Did they spend time together often? Did Cain plan the murder of his brother before hand or was it in the heat of the moment?
Anyone that has siblings knows how frustrating they can be, even when they're not doing anything wrong. They're your siblings, they're suppose to think like you and understand you, right? Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case. Even my brother, who I am the closest too, thinks differently then me about a lot of things and it can lead to some friction.
Cain let all of his anger and jealousy towards his brother control him and he killed him. So here is the first recorded death. Did they even realize what that was going to be like before then? God had warned Adam and Eve about it back in Genesis 2:17 when he told them the consequences if they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but being told about something is different then living through it and experiencing it.
Whether he fully understood what his actions would bring about or not, Cain still did an evil thing. He ignored the warnings God had given him before and had physically attacked his brother.
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Genesis 4:7
"If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." Genesis 4:7
That first question implies that Cain knew what he should have done with the offering and didn't do it. Whether that was to offer something different or to offer a better portion of his crops then he did doesn't matter. He knew and didn't do it. Now God is warning him that one step into sin can lead to further sin unless he controls his sinful desires.
Just because we fail and commit a wrong doesn't mean we have to give up. God wants us to succeed. He'll send us warnings when we're starting down the wrong path. We need to master our sinful desires, and when we can't master those alone, he will help us.
That first question implies that Cain knew what he should have done with the offering and didn't do it. Whether that was to offer something different or to offer a better portion of his crops then he did doesn't matter. He knew and didn't do it. Now God is warning him that one step into sin can lead to further sin unless he controls his sinful desires.
Just because we fail and commit a wrong doesn't mean we have to give up. God wants us to succeed. He'll send us warnings when we're starting down the wrong path. We need to master our sinful desires, and when we can't master those alone, he will help us.
Monday, July 27, 2015
Genesis 4:6
"Then the Lord said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?'" Genesis 4:6
Why would God ask Cain these questions as if he didn't already know the answers? Perhaps he was giving Cain the chance to come to the right answer himself. Maybe he's trying to get Cain to stop and think before he acts.
For me there are times I feel righteous anger until I stop to really think about it, and then I know my anger isn't really righteous. It doesn't always help remove the anger, but it does help how I react to it.
Is God questioning you? Is he trying to give you the chance to think things through before you act on it?
Why would God ask Cain these questions as if he didn't already know the answers? Perhaps he was giving Cain the chance to come to the right answer himself. Maybe he's trying to get Cain to stop and think before he acts.
For me there are times I feel righteous anger until I stop to really think about it, and then I know my anger isn't really righteous. It doesn't always help remove the anger, but it does help how I react to it.
Is God questioning you? Is he trying to give you the chance to think things through before you act on it?
Friday, July 24, 2015
Genesis 4:5
"But on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast." Genesis 4:5
So here it tells us that God did not look with favor on Cain's offering. We don't know why. Was it just not good enough? Was it because it was not animals?
I'm inclined to believe it had more to do with where Cain's heart was. Verse 4 says that Abel brought God his best, but it doesn't describe Cain's offering. Perhaps Cain's offering were an after thought - "Oh yeah, I should give back to God, here's some harvest I have left over that I can spare..." or maybe Cain was just being selfish and wanted to keep the best to himself. Or maybe it was simply Cain going through the motions.
Whatever the reason, Abel's offering was better than Cain's and God was pleased with Abel. It doesn't say God was angry at Cain - just that he did not look with favor on Cain. Because Abel's offering was better, Cain was filled with anger.
The Qbible translates "very" as "wholy" or "speedily" and "anger" can be translated as "jealousy." So this was a jealous anger that raged through his whole being. It's hard not to feel that anger sometimes, even when we know that the other person is deserving of the respect and honor they are receiving and we are not. Emotions don't follow logic. The real question is how will we react to those emotions? Will we allow the anger to control us? Or will we control the anger?
So here it tells us that God did not look with favor on Cain's offering. We don't know why. Was it just not good enough? Was it because it was not animals?
I'm inclined to believe it had more to do with where Cain's heart was. Verse 4 says that Abel brought God his best, but it doesn't describe Cain's offering. Perhaps Cain's offering were an after thought - "Oh yeah, I should give back to God, here's some harvest I have left over that I can spare..." or maybe Cain was just being selfish and wanted to keep the best to himself. Or maybe it was simply Cain going through the motions.
Whatever the reason, Abel's offering was better than Cain's and God was pleased with Abel. It doesn't say God was angry at Cain - just that he did not look with favor on Cain. Because Abel's offering was better, Cain was filled with anger.
The Qbible translates "very" as "wholy" or "speedily" and "anger" can be translated as "jealousy." So this was a jealous anger that raged through his whole being. It's hard not to feel that anger sometimes, even when we know that the other person is deserving of the respect and honor they are receiving and we are not. Emotions don't follow logic. The real question is how will we react to those emotions? Will we allow the anger to control us? Or will we control the anger?
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Genesis 4:4
"But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering." Genesis 4:4
The Qbible has that "fat portions" can be translated as the "richest or choice part" and "favor" as "respect" or "regard."
So Abel, like Cain, also brought an offering to God, but it says Abel brought the best of his flock. It doesn't say Cain brought the worst or the leftovers, it just doesn't say he brought the best part either. It also doesn't tell us what God thought of Cain's offering.
What we can learn from this passage is that the best offerings to God are from the best portions from our first fruits. Those are the offerings he will respect, and to have God's respect is just an awesome thought. Who wouldn't want that?
The Qbible has that "fat portions" can be translated as the "richest or choice part" and "favor" as "respect" or "regard."
So Abel, like Cain, also brought an offering to God, but it says Abel brought the best of his flock. It doesn't say Cain brought the worst or the leftovers, it just doesn't say he brought the best part either. It also doesn't tell us what God thought of Cain's offering.
What we can learn from this passage is that the best offerings to God are from the best portions from our first fruits. Those are the offerings he will respect, and to have God's respect is just an awesome thought. Who wouldn't want that?
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Genesis 4:3
"In the course of time Cain brought some fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord." Genesis 4:3
For whatever reason, it seemed like a good idea to the first family to make a tribute to God. No where does it tell us that God commanded them to make this offering, but here Cain is returning some of the proceeds of his labor to God. Did he learn this from his parents? Whose idea was it?
For whatever reason, it seemed like a good idea to the first family to make a tribute to God. No where does it tell us that God commanded them to make this offering, but here Cain is returning some of the proceeds of his labor to God. Did he learn this from his parents? Whose idea was it?
Monday, July 20, 2015
Genesis 4:2
"Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil." Genesis 4:2
Abel possibly means "breath," and from the Qbible it appears that the word "flocks" implies it was either a flock of sheep or goats. So now Adam and Eve have two sons - one a farmer and the other a shepherd.
So far there has been no mention of eating meat. In Genesis 1:29 God promised mankind every seed-bearing plant and tree with fruit in it that bears seed. Why would Abel keep sheep or goats? You can get wool from sheep, is that why he kept them? Can you milk ewes?
Abel possibly means "breath," and from the Qbible it appears that the word "flocks" implies it was either a flock of sheep or goats. So now Adam and Eve have two sons - one a farmer and the other a shepherd.
So far there has been no mention of eating meat. In Genesis 1:29 God promised mankind every seed-bearing plant and tree with fruit in it that bears seed. Why would Abel keep sheep or goats? You can get wool from sheep, is that why he kept them? Can you milk ewes?
Friday, July 17, 2015
Genesis 4:1
"Adam lay with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, 'With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man.'" Genesis 4:1
The Qbible uses the phrase "and Adam knew Eve" to mean he slept with her. Now that they've left Eden, Adam and Eve are following the command God gave in Genesis 1:28 "Be fruitful and increase in number."
I wonder how long they were in Eden. Did they not discover sex until after the garden or did they just not become pregnant until after? The Bible doesn't tell us how long they lived in the garden - it could have been a week or it could have been a couple of years or maybe even longer.
Either way, the first baby has now been born.
The Qbible uses the phrase "and Adam knew Eve" to mean he slept with her. Now that they've left Eden, Adam and Eve are following the command God gave in Genesis 1:28 "Be fruitful and increase in number."
I wonder how long they were in Eden. Did they not discover sex until after the garden or did they just not become pregnant until after? The Bible doesn't tell us how long they lived in the garden - it could have been a week or it could have been a couple of years or maybe even longer.
Either way, the first baby has now been born.
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Genesis 3:24
"After he drove the man out, he place on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life." Genesis 3:24
The Qbible translates the word "flaming" as "blazing" with the idea that it is wrapped in magic, and the "flashing back and forth" of the sword can also be translated as simply "turning." As far as the cherubim goes it is uncertain what what type of being this is referring to. It is believed this would be an angel.
Now that God has sent man from the garden he is blocking the way back in. I wonder if the only entrance is on the east side.
The Qbible translates the word "flaming" as "blazing" with the idea that it is wrapped in magic, and the "flashing back and forth" of the sword can also be translated as simply "turning." As far as the cherubim goes it is uncertain what what type of being this is referring to. It is believed this would be an angel.
Now that God has sent man from the garden he is blocking the way back in. I wonder if the only entrance is on the east side.
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Genesis 3:23
"So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken." Genesis 3:23
The Qbible has the word for banished translated as "sent away from." So that man would not eat from the tree of life he was sent away from the Garden of Eden where it grew.
A quick internet search will pull up several various reasons that God would take away the tree of life after Adam and Eve ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, including fear that man would become competition and just the simple explanation that God couldn't let them eat from the tree because it would thwart their punishment. Several different sites suggest if man lived forever with his capacity for evil, Eden would become a hell on earth. Whatever the reason, the Bible doesn't expound upon it here in Genesis 3 - it only tells us that it was because man ate from the tree of knowledge and became like God - knowing good and evil.
Let Us Reason Ministries reasons that banishing Adam and Eve from the garden was not just an act of justice, but of mercy also. "For them to continue to live in the sight of the tree that made them fall and the one that would give them life would be a constant reminder of their disobedience."
Even though I am trying to do this study in order, I do think it is important to know that we have been given a way to access the tree of life again. Revelation 2:7 states that the tree of life is in the paradise of God and the right to eat of it will be given to the victorious that hear and listen to the Spirit of God. Revelation 22 tells us that the people of Jesus Christ will be given the right to eat of the tree. So to gain eternal life we must follow Christ.
The Qbible has the word for banished translated as "sent away from." So that man would not eat from the tree of life he was sent away from the Garden of Eden where it grew.
A quick internet search will pull up several various reasons that God would take away the tree of life after Adam and Eve ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, including fear that man would become competition and just the simple explanation that God couldn't let them eat from the tree because it would thwart their punishment. Several different sites suggest if man lived forever with his capacity for evil, Eden would become a hell on earth. Whatever the reason, the Bible doesn't expound upon it here in Genesis 3 - it only tells us that it was because man ate from the tree of knowledge and became like God - knowing good and evil.
Let Us Reason Ministries reasons that banishing Adam and Eve from the garden was not just an act of justice, but of mercy also. "For them to continue to live in the sight of the tree that made them fall and the one that would give them life would be a constant reminder of their disobedience."
Even though I am trying to do this study in order, I do think it is important to know that we have been given a way to access the tree of life again. Revelation 2:7 states that the tree of life is in the paradise of God and the right to eat of it will be given to the victorious that hear and listen to the Spirit of God. Revelation 22 tells us that the people of Jesus Christ will be given the right to eat of the tree. So to gain eternal life we must follow Christ.
Monday, July 13, 2015
Genesis 3:22
"And the Lord God said, 'The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.'" Genesis 3:22
So while they were in the garden, Adam and Eve had not yet eaten from the tree of life. Is that like a kid that hasn't eaten their veggies yet?
Not being allowed to eat of this tree is not punishment. It is a consequence of their actions, sure, but not a punishment. Why is it important to make sure mankind does not eat from the tree of life now that they know the difference of good and evil?
So while they were in the garden, Adam and Eve had not yet eaten from the tree of life. Is that like a kid that hasn't eaten their veggies yet?
Not being allowed to eat of this tree is not punishment. It is a consequence of their actions, sure, but not a punishment. Why is it important to make sure mankind does not eat from the tree of life now that they know the difference of good and evil?
Genesis 3:21
"The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them." Genesis 3:21
So after Adam and Eve use fig leaves to make their clothes, God gives them animal skins instead. Did God kill and skin the animals or did he just create the skins from nothing?
So after Adam and Eve use fig leaves to make their clothes, God gives them animal skins instead. Did God kill and skin the animals or did he just create the skins from nothing?
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