CAIN AND ABEL
Part 1


A. "AND ADAM KNOW EVE HIS WIFE; AND SHE CONCEIVED AND BARE CAIN, AND SAID, I HAVE GOTTEN A MAN FROM THE LORD. AND SHE AGAIN BARE HIS BROTHER ABEL. AND ABEL WAS A KEEPER OF THE SHEEP, BUT CAIN WAS A TILLER OF THE GROUND." - GENESIS 4:1-2
  1. This is the brief but divinely inspired story of the first two sons of Adam and Eve:
    1. The story is concise and very informative to the careful reader of the Bible
    2. It indicates a marked difference between the two brothers of the same parents, and being brought up under the same environment
  2. These few facts about Cain and Abel explain much of what the Bible says about them:
    1. Cain was self-willed, quick tempered, and self-righteous
    2. Abel was even tempered, a man of faith in God's promises, and was very practical in his religious devotions
B. LET US TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE TWO BROTHERS
  1. Cain was the first-born and as such he had a special birthright:
    1. But he was very critical of God's judgment upon his parents; claiming that these judgments were not just
    2. He rejected the provisions of the atonement for sin, that is why he brought an unbloody offering to God - Gen. 4:3
    3. He had the basic elements of agnosticism, infidelity, and self-exaltation in himself
    4. He manifested the same spirit that caused Lucifer to rebel against the government of God - Is. 14:12-17
  2. Abel on the other hand:
    1. Was a man of faith in God's promises; he showed this faith by bringing a substitutionary sacrifice - a lamb - Gen. 4:4
    2. He was meek and yet firm in the practice of his faith - that was one reason why God accepted his offering, and why his brother hated him and finally slew him
C. CAIN AND ABEL
  1. The life story of Cain and Abel shows conclusively:
    1. That the home influence is no qualified assurance that a person will follow the training received; at least Cain did not accept his father's instructions
    2. Abel, on the other hand, practiced the faith of his parents
    3. We have other incidents where the godly influence of the parents did not carry over in the life of the children; Examples: Samuel was a godly man, yet his sons were wicked - I Sam. 8:1-3; Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron did evil in the sight of the Lord and the Lord had to destroy them - Lev. 10:1-2
  2. The faith and sacrifice of Abel still speaks:
    1. In the life and experience of the martyrs of Christ - Heb. 11:4; 12:24; Matt. 23:35
    2. His faith lives on in the saints who have accepted the atonement for sin and walk in the way of the Lord
    3. Christ, our Redeemer, was prefigured in the life and sacrifice of Abel
    4. The death of Abel was the beginning of the rupture in the human family
    5. He was the first Christian in the family of Adam; he understood the plan of salvation and rejoiced over it
    6. He was a prototype of all who accept the righteousness by faith
    7. He will come forth in the first resurrection at Christ's second coming
  3. What a contrast between the two brethren:
    1. Cain was self-centered, critical, vengeful; became the murderer in the annals of human relation
    2. He became the prototype of the antedeluvians that perished in the flood
    3. He portrayed the rebellious nature of Lucifer and will share with him the wages of sin - John 8:44
  4. Abel, on the other hand:
    1. Was selfless - humble, and God-fearing, seeking to live his faith
    2. Will have part in the resurrection of the just - Luke 14:14


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