Call on the name of the Lord [Gen 4-5]

Call on the Name of the Lord

Gen 4-5

Key Verse 4: 4b-5a The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, ⁵ but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor.

Introduction: So far we learned that Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s word. The root of such disobedience was at discontent and unthankful heart toward God and his blessing.  For disobedience, God punished woman and cursed the ground. Also they were thrown out of the Garden of Eden and were cut off from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Also there came the immediate effect of disobedience; shame and guilt, keenly aware of their being short of the glory of God. 

What are the actual effects of sin on their lives? The life of Adam and Eve are not recorded any further. But their lives are greatly affected by their children. Egregious effects of sin are fully blown in the life of their son Cain and his descendants.    Here in today’s passages, we see the effect of sin through Cain’s relationship with God and God’s hope for the fallen men.

1.       Adam’s two sons worship [1-5]

The punishment on Adam and Eve was death. If this death can be overcome, then it is only through having children. In this regard having a child brings totally new and bright hope for these couple. They got one child Cain. They came to realized that God’s hand was upon them in bearing a new child. This is a profound understanding of God’s love and purpose in the lives of those who are under death sentence. In this way the life will continue and God will fulfill his purpose to fill the earth with men and fulfill his promise to bring a descendant that will destroy the Satan.  New lives are from God and His blessing.  Having children is God’s will for the world and for the whole human race.

Adam and Eve got two children; Cain, the first one, and Abel, the second. In the course of time they offered God some offerings. This is a kind of worship.

This worship may be considered as a step down form of relationship with God. In the garden of Eden, when God calls man, he was to present before God with joy and happiness. This is seen when God called Adam, ‘where are you’ immediately after his disobedience. There was no need of offering or sacrifice. It was an open fellowship with God. Soon after men were thrown out of the Garden of Eden under judgment, this is the first appearance of men’s relationship with God in a form of worship; Here both of them brought offerings to God.

To these two children of Adam, seeking God was a matter of question; they felt obligated to honor. worshipping God is essential element of life for them.  So, it was not a matter of having or not having worship; rather it was a matter of how or what kind of worship one has.  As God created the world as well as man, we men are to honor him as the Lord; we are born to do and created to do. This is how we relate with God.  Though men have sinned against God, this obligation has not changed. The best of such express is worship.

We worship God on every Sunday. Also we may worship anytime and anywhere.  Actually our whole life is one of worship to God. This is the way how we related ourselves with God.

Cain offered some of the fruits of the soil while Abel offered the fat portions of some of the first born of his flock. It is very good and commendable that they both offered to God in worship.  Since then there are numerous examples of worships recorded in the bible.

For a better understanding we can go forward; when God called Israel as his people, God told them to come to him in the temple. In the law, few things are required for Israel to be God’s people:

a.       They are to worship God as the one and only Lord. No one is exempt from this requirement; one of the typical example is observance of the Sabbath as the day of the Lord;

b.      They are to bring some offering.  Job 35:13 Indeed, God does not listen to their empty plea; the Almighty pays no attention to it.

c.       The offerings were various; grains to animal sacrifices depends on the kind of offering; thanks, fellowship, ; but sin offering was never anything but sacrifice of an animal.

d.      What does it mean? Honoring God is not an empty words; one must honor God in substance;

What did Cain offer? He offered some of the fruits of the soil. One thing we know is that Cain wanted to show his respect to God or even worship God for His honor. To do so he took some of the fruits of the soil he brought to God. As we read, this is not the best that he could offer. It is some out of abundance of his fruits. Second this does not involve sacrifice of life but it was fruit of his labor.

What about Abel? He offered the fat portions of some of the first born of his flock. Apparently he chose what is best among the best. This reflects his mind toward God; He wanted to honor God with the best that he had because God is worthy of the best. The best of him was in form of sacrifice of a life of an animal.

How did God view of these two?

God looked with favor on Abel and his offering. But on Cain and his offering God did not look with favor.

God concerns both the man and his offering together. He was concern not just what kind of offering he receives. Offering is exact representation of what mindset one has toward God. God looks the depth of one’s heart as well as the offering.

God looked favorably on one and did not look favorably on the other. I like to think about what it means, particularly the word’ favor’.  It is not an expression of extreme happiness or joy. Also at the same time it is not an expression of negative affect but a positive one. So when God looked Abel and his offering with favor, it means God was very positive about his offering and his attitude toward God. This does not mean that he was fully satisfied and giving an unreserved welcome to Abel. We can compare this to what God said to Jesus when he was being baptized; ‘This is my son whom I love, I am well pleased with.’  In the bible, God’s word is precise and reserved. So we might want to take this to mean a very happy welcome. But it is not an expression of extreme joy or unreserved happiness though it is very positive one.
At the same time, when God did not look with favor on Can and his offering, it does not mean full rejection. God is not throwing away Cain and his offering. But God did not see what he wanted to see in Cain and his offering.

There are clear distinction between the two: Abel did his best in honor to God; God was satisfied with what he did.  But God was not happy with Cain as well as his offering. In Israel when God chose them to be his people, God gave the Law. In this Law, God commanded to offer God in various forms. This is illustrated here.

Dedication			Communal	Expiatory
Burnt	grain	Drink	fellowship	Sin	Guilty

As we have seen in this, Grain offering is part of dedication offering. But the offerings in expiatory nature [paying off the debt of sin] such as sin and guilty offerings are always something of animal sacrifice. There is a strong sense of sin and paying it off by life in the back of such offering.  On the other hand, dedication offering is to give God what I have in my appreciation of what God did for me.  If we simplify this, animal sacrifice is an effort to meet the demands of God and his holy requirement as a sinner. Sin and paying off the guilty by life is at the heart of offering an animal sacrifice . On the other hand, Dedication offering is to show my best loyalty to God. It is to give the best of what I do or can. So the focus is my work and my effort in loyalty to God. Both are needed. As we have seen in the legal system of Israel, the grain offering is given seldom by itself. Most of the time it comes along with burnt offering, full sacrifice of an animal.

Cain offered grain offering from the some of his produce from the soil. It is a product of his labor and works. In such offering, Cain is doing the best efforts that he could.  Yet in such mind set, Cain is still living in his own character or nature. God is not happy with the best of any men. Men are corrupted and sinful because of disobedience. As they have eaten from the tree of knowledge of good and evil and that fruit has become part of their being, whatever they do is out of that sinful nature. Cain worked hard in his farm to produce much grain. Out of this labor, he presented God what he would. What he offered is the best he could offer. Also he was doing a favor for God, since he labored so hard for the grain he offered.

But Abel offered an animal sacrifice. He chose the best of the bests of what he had because God is worthy of the best of his life. Also his offering was a sacrifice of an animal. As we noted in Israel’s offerings, in the back of the minds that offers a sacrifice of an animal is sin and paying off of that sin. When I visited Peru ancient temple site, I saw a place where people sacrificed human being most likely a virgin girl. Why were they were compelled to offer such human lives? God must be appeased by life because men have sinned against God. This ancient Peruvians had no access to the Middle Eastern religions, their hearts shared the same mind with Israel, the nation God chose to reveal what should be done. Abel knew he was a sinner and he needed to be redeemed and he offered a sacrifice of an animal.

The key different is the fact that Cain did not admit that he was a sinner who needed God’s mercy while Abel knew of his sins and oncoming judgment of that sin in form of death. He needed God’s mercy. The best of man is only building his pride in what he does. God wants a sacrifice of that nature or character. Two thinking makes two different approaches to God. ; one is trying to meet God in his righteousness and his holiness. This is Abel. The other is to build one’s goodness; I will do good to God. The heart of such mind is pride and self-righteousness.  We know there are many who even do not come to God. Whatever offering one has to God itself is very commendable and good. Yet to the God Almighty and Holy, simple presentation to God and casual offering like Cain are not good enough.

So what did God do? God looked Abel and his offering with favor. But on Cane and his offering he did not look with favor. God is the Lord who calls things good and bad, acceptable or not.  God looks at one’s entire being; inmost heart as well as it expression; So it say God looked Abel and his offering and Cane and his offering.

God wants the entirety of one’s being sacrificed. Out of the corrupted nature, no matter how much we try our best, it is not suffice to God and His holiness. When one does his best and happy about himself for his goodness, it is problematic for God. Because man has no inherent goodness because man sinned and rejected God from its outset. –

Sacrifice of animal: most likely burnt offering : fully given; its entirety of life; strong sense of sin and its payment is in the back of mind when one offer such ; total submission and loyalty

One’s commitment to God must be shown with substance. That substance is the sacrifice of life.

Exodus 20:24 "'Make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you.

2.       Cain sins in jealousy [6-16]

V5b. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

When his offering was not accepted with God’s favor, he was very angry and his face was down cast! What does this tell us?

1.       He was right and good in his own eyes. But God rejected him because Abel chose over Cain.

2.       This is a relativistic view of good. Such mind compares mine versus his. This is not good. In this we always compare what I do with what others do. Such mind focuses on one’s own and others.

3.       This failed to see absolute view; between God and him.. the question should be, ‘Am I right and good in God’s eyes?’  He saw only the fact that Abel his brother is accepted. This ends in jealousy and anger against others. 

 When God saw Cain’s anger, God counseled.

V6-7
God demanded answer;  Why he is angry! Why he is down cast! Do you think that I did wrong! No! You did wrong! God is calling his attention to God and His justice. It is not Cain against Abel.  God did not choose Abel over Cain! No! God’s rejection is purely of relationship between God and Cain only!   If you do what is right! Will you not be accepted! If you did what is right in my eyes, then you also was accepted. Further, if you do what is right in coming days, you will surely be accepted.

God pointed out his misunderstanding; also God was offering an opportunity to rectify the wrongs and restore the relationship with God. Cain can be accepted and find good relationship with God!  It is possible and it is within his reach.  In some sense God is pleading with Cain for his repentance and change of mind. But if he does not do, what would happen?

If he does not change what would happen?

If you do not do right, Sin is crouching at the door and it desires to have you but you must master it.
We know that when sinful mind sits in the depth of our hearts, it is only a matter of time to let it out in our actions; word from mouth, eyes to see, and move hands and feet to do things that are ungodly.  its power governed his life and the word of God could not do. He committed murder. ‘jealousy’ the source of sin ; it always start with ‘me’ –my pride and my worthiness and my wellbeing. Cane must see this danger and must find a way to master it. What did Cain do?

Self righteous mind is very dangerous. He is filled with his own good and he is ready to judge others as he saw it. He can slice, chop and even kill.

What did Cain do? V8

He lured Abel out in the field and killed him. No one saw it and no one seemed to know about it except Cain himself. But God knew it and the ground that soaked up the blood of Abel cried out to God! 

God asked him of this murder; v9.

Where is your brother Abel?  He said , I don’t know and Am I my brother’s keeper? He deceived God and cut off his relationship with God as well as his brother. Indifference to others except his own right is the mindset of such sin.

God delivers judgment:

V 10-12 ¹⁰ The LORD said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. ¹¹ Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. ¹² When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth."

This time it is a curse on him. No yield from the ground even if he cultivates. He became restless wander. Men are to work on the ground to make his living. But even if he works hard, the ground will yield nothing for him. In other word, the very existence of his being is threatened. Also he would become a restless wanderer on the earth.

Cain’s reaction shows the weight of this curse: v13-14

¹³ Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is more than I can bear. ¹⁴ Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me."

Here the earth is vast lands of the earth that are far away from the Garden of Eden, where there is no God’s protection or countenance is. So he is to live outside of God’s countenance or immediate e sight; he was to live all by himself and for himself. This creates a constant threat of death and unrest. When Cain lived under God’s countenance, God’s goodness and justice followed his life. But since he was to wander off from the East of the Eden, to the other part of the vast land of the Earth, it is worrisome and fearful.

Yet God showed his grace and mercy on even such man as Cain, the murderer of his own brother;

V15¹⁵ But the LORD said to him, "Not so; if anyone kills Cain, he will suffer vengeance seven times over." Then the LORD put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him.

Bu God showed his grace on him and put mark on him so that no one may kill him. What is the ending point of his life? God subjected him to endless threat of life and uncertainty; yet God was made sure that he is not killed by hands of man.  Only thing left him as hope or ending point of his life is restoration back to God; unbearable life may bring changes of his hearts!

3.       Cain’s descendants [17-24]

Last time what Cain did was said in v16; Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, East of Eden. He was driven away from God’s presence; this is a new beginning and totally different environment where God’s countenance is not with. It is said twice in God’s word and in Cain’s response; ‘on the earth’ The vast land of the earth is away from the East of Eden where God’s countenance is.  It means that Cain lives alone for himself without God’s justice to protect him.  So he was filled with fear and the burden for life is far heavier than the life under God’s countenance. Now Cain became the sole defender, maker and provider for his own life.  All things are in his hands!

What did Cain and his descendants do?

The first thing he did was to build a city. It is whereby he settled his nest, secured and protected from all harms. In this way he provided a secure place; it is replacement of East of Eden, or the Garden of Eden. In this place God is not with him. So he is the provider, protector of all that they needed. He named it after his son Enoch.

After him came, Irad, Mehujael, Methushael, Lamech, the sixth generation from Cain. He took two wives for the first time in life, violating God’s creation order, one man and one wife. Through the two wives he got three sons and one daughter: Jabal, Jubal, Tubal Cain and Naamah , the seventh generation from Cain.

Out of the seventh generation children came nomads, those who play music instruments, and those who forged tools.  All these things are not bad at all by themselves. But we know that all these things are developed in an effort to make their living prosperous with joy and power and secured. Self sufficiency was the goal of these developments. Human culture were celebrated and there comes constant invention and innovations to help human race to prosper and enjoyably.   Recently Apple co released a new I-phone 5. In a matter of days, millions of I-phone 5 were sold. The hype over this product was so overwhelming. This new device engaged people’s mind so much and created a meaning and joy for many of them. Is there anything wrong with this? No! Not at all! But while men are so much absorbed by such excellent products, God is forgotten and human achievements take the main domain of human affairs. Human culture and development are so good and so engaging men’s mind. But these are the expression of the desire to fill the void that was created by their rejection of God.  Without God, without giving true honor to the Lord, men are keeping themselves happy and enjoying a life full of many amenities.

But this amazing culture ends in this way;

Lamech, the one who took two wives, who bore the seventh generation children by these two wives killed a man in defense of himself. He boasted in this way.

V23-24²³ Lamech said to his wives, "Adah and Zillah, listen to me; wives of Lamech, hear my words. I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for injuring me. ²⁴ If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times."

He was genuinely the son of Cain who killed his brother. So Cain began his life with murder and drove away from God and his generation seemed to make a very prosperous life in city. But sixth generation of Cain, after so much affluence of human culture,  Lamech killed a man, and was very proud of his killing. He committed the most egregious sin against God and he was very proud of his act of sin. He is abusing the word of God for his own benefit.

 This is a pathetic ending if there is no son coming further.  Adam was so much disappointed in what Cain did. What Cain did was only what he saw. This is heart breaking and brought an utter dismay for Adam and Eve.   But God did show his grace for Adam and Eve.

V25-26

²⁵ Adam lay with his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, "God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him." ²⁶ Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to call on the name of the LORD.

But God in his grace gave them another son Seth in place of Abel.  If God did not give Seth, it would be a great disappointment. What and how will Seth and his descendants do is very important. This is recorded in the next.   

4.       Adam’s descendants [4:25-5:32]

Adam and Eve saw his son Abel’s death by the hands of the first son Cain. They saw God’s punishment to Cain and his life in Nod. Cain was not the son they wanted to have. In such disappointment, God gave the another son Seth in place of Abel. In ch 5:2 Seth was born in the image of his father Adam, who was created by God in God’s image. In other word, Seth had the image of God, godly image. If God did not give another son like Seth, then it could have been a great disappointment. But by the grace of God, God gave them Seth. As his son Enosh was born people call on the name of the Lord; i.e. people began to worship God, seeking his honor and his glory.

Cain left God’s presence. He cut off the relationship with God and God cursed him that God’s countenance could not be with him. But God was still with Seth and his descendants who call on the name of God. What we see in Seth’s generation is very remarkable.

Ten generation was described from Adam

·         It is the genealogy of Adam, and Adam’s genealogy does not continue through Cain but  through Seth, the one born with the likeness of Adam,

·         They all lived long life mounting to 1000 years. As we know only on this period, on Seth’s descendants such long life is recorded. It has to do with God seeking life, which is contrary to Cain’s

·         Yet they all died. They were fall short of eternal life. They were still under God’s injunction; you will surely die.

·         They all bore children of godliness and that godliness runs through Seth’s descendants. One of them, Enoch walked with God and God took him. This event teaches us that this generation who call on the name of God could walk with God and could be taken by God in his kingdom or the heaven. This is a remarkable possibility for those who walk with the Lord.

Lamech confessed that they are under great duress from hard labor and painful toil. Yet they kept the hope that God could provide comfort through Noah, his son.

What can we conclude?

There is no more recording of Cain and his descendants. In God’s sight, Cain and his descendants, no matter how great human achievements they made, are oblivious and inconsequential to God’s perspective for human salvation. On the other hand, God began a new beginning with Seth. Seth is the replacement of Abel the one who offered the best of the bests with sacrifice of a life. His descendants continue to Noah, and then to Abraham, and then to Jesus. It is God’s determination and will to save men through those who offer sacrifice like Abel.  

God chose you to be like Abel, who offered the best of the bests, with the sacrifice of life, and like his descendants who call on the name of the Lord in this way. In them was the right character of the image of God that God imparted to Adam from the outset of creation.

I pray that we all may learn to offer God like Abel and we may be the children of God’s blessing that bear God’s children and lives long life even to the eternity with God.

God called us more clearly through his son, Jesus who offered himself to God as ransom and is now sitting at the right hand of God. In him we have such hope with such clarity and certainty.

May God richly bless you