Abel’s Sacrifice – Part Two
In my previous blog I talked about the superiority of Abel’s offering as opposed to Cain’s. How can we justify God’s harsh judgment on Cain?
For Cain and for his offering [God] had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. 6Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7“If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” Genesis 4:5-7 (NASB)
Did Cain think that he would escape God’s notice of his anger and crest-fallen countenance? God does notice, and He gives Cain an opportunity to repent. The language of verse seven is not as straight forward as we might like, but it is non-the-less a call to repentance. It is back to back if-then statements that give hope and at the same time issue a warning. “If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up?” Here in lies Cain’s hope for being re-established into a right relationship with God. God offers Cain the opportunity for a “do-over.” Cain can re-do his offering if he so chooses. Of course, it costs him more. It costs him his first offering plus a second offering, but he will be back in God’s “graces.” “And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” This statement reveals the course Cain’s disobedience charted for him. If he continues on the path of least resistance he will be mastered by his sin. It is not the sin that masters us but our unwillingness to turn from it. We can see that at this point sin does not have power over Cain even though he has clearly sinned. There is a point in the course of our sinning that we can easily escape and repent. Cain is at that point, but God’s warning is not to be taken lightly. God’s harsh judgment is not due to Cain’s poor offering or even murderous act. God’s harsh judgment is due to Cain’s own stubbornness and adoption of a sinful spirit. Cain has invited sin into his soul and thus chooses to live accordingly. Sin will be driven from God’s presence. Cain simply chooses to go with it.
Does God give Cain an opportunity for repentance after Abel’s murder? In Genesis 4:9 God said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” And he said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” Here Cain has the opportunity to “come clean.” He could have confessed his sin and asked forgiveness. God is not asking Cain about Abel because He doesn’t know where Abel is. God knows where Abel is because He is omniscient. God is not asking Cain about Abel simply to torture Cain. God is Love. God asks Cain about Abel to give him an opportunity to repent.
The message is clear. God is a God of second chances. Even in the face of the unthinkable – the murder of one brother by another – there is still room to repent. Cain’s judgment is harsh. Does the judgment fit the crime? No. Cain deserved immediate death. Thank God that He doesn’t give us what we deserve. He gives us opportunities for repentance, and He gives us life through His Son, Jesus.
Your servant,
Pastor John