Scripture Reading : Genesis 4
Theme : The Consequences of Sin
Satan is a serpent that deceives and a lion that devours (1 Pet. 5:8–9). He used Eve to tempt Adam and Cain to destroy Abel. The two “seeds” of Genesis 3:15 came into conflict, for Cain was a child of the devil (1 John 3:10–12), while Abel was a child of God (Matt. 23:35). Like his father, the devil, Cain was a liar and a murderer (John 8:44).
The marks of God’s children are faith, hope, and love (1 Cor. 13:13; 1 Thess. 1:3–4). The marks of the devil’s seed are unbelief, despair, and hatred. These are evident in Cain.
Unbelief(1–7).
When God killed animals and clothed Adam and Eve (3:21), He taught the significance of blood sacrifice (Heb. 9:22). Cain brought the wrong sacrifice in his hands and had the wrong attitude in his heart. His was not a sacrifice of faith, and God rejected it. God also warned Cain that sin was lying at his door, waiting to pounce on him.
Hatred(8).
Cain’s anger became envy and hatred and it then led to murder (Matt. 5:21–26). When you start to play with temptation, you will soon be caught (James 1:13–16). Cain was guilty of every sin that God hates (Prov. 6:16–19).
Despair(9–24).
God’s question to Adam and Eve was, “Where are you?” His question to Cain was, “Where is Abel your brother?” Do we know where our brothers and sisters are? Do we care? Or are we making excuses, as Cain did?
Now God curses a man! But Cain was not convicted about his sin; he was concerned only about his punishment. Cain’s unbelief, hatred, and deceit destroyed every relationship in his life – his relationship with his brother, God himself, and the world around him. All of us are pilgrims on this earth, but Cain became a fugitive, a wanderer. “Thou hast made us for Thyself,” said St. Augustine, “and our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee.”
Hope(25–26).
Cain tried to compensate for his despair by building a “civilization” in the land of Nod (“wandering”). Since Adam and Eve had many children, Cain must have married a relative. He had many fine things in his city, but God rejected him and gave Adam another son, Seth (“appointed”), to carry on the godly line.
[1]
Praying the Scripture
- There are always two ways to approach God. One is by faith and the other is by our own merit. How often do we approach God to show Him how good and clever we are and how we deserve His praises. In fact, we are telling Him we do not need him. However, we are created to depend on God and to believe Him and trust His word. Let’s pray that we trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (Pro 3:5).
- Besides loving God, we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. We should then love our own brothers all the more. Where are your brothers and sisters? Let’s start by praying for them.
[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Ge 4:1.
经文：创4章
主题：罪的后果
撒旦是欺哄人的蛇，也是吞吃人的狮子（彼前5:8-9）。他利用夏娃诱惑亚当和该隐毁灭亚伯。这创世记3:15的两个“种子”产生了冲突，该隐是魔鬼的儿子（约一3:10-12），而亚伯是神的儿子（马23:35）。如他的父亲魔鬼一样，该隐是个骗子和杀人犯（约8:44）。神儿女的标志却是信望爱（林前13:13；帖1:3-4）。魔鬼的孩子有的是不信，绝望和仇恨。这在该隐身上是显而易见的。
不信(1–7).
当神牺牲动物的皮作衣服给亚当和夏娃穿（3:21），他正是在教导他们血祭的意义（希9:22）。该隐不但献上错的祭物，他内心也抱着错误的态度。该隐献不是凭信心献祭，所以神拒绝它。神也警告该隐罪趴在他的家门口等待辖制他。
仇恨（8）
该隐的愤怒演变成为嫉妒和仇恨，最后导致了谋杀（太5:21-26）。当你开始招惹诱惑时，你很快就会被罪恶绊住。（各1:13-16）该隐犯了神所恨的一切罪（箴6:16-19）。
绝望 (9–24).
神问亚当和夏娃：“你在哪里？”但是神却问该隐：“你的弟弟亚伯在哪里？”我们知道我们的弟兄姐妹在哪里吗？我们关心吗？我们像该隐一样找借口吗？
现在我们看到神竟诅咒人！但该隐并不肯承认自己的罪，他只关心他所遭到的惩罚。该隐的不信、仇恨和欺骗摧毁了他的生命中的每一个关系 – 他与兄弟、他与神、他与周围的世界。我们所有的人都是这世界的旅客，但该隐却成为一个逃犯、一个流浪者。圣奥古斯丁说：“你为自己创造了我们”，“我们的心无法安宁，直到它们能安息与袮”
盼望 (25–26).
该隐试图在“挪得”之地（意思是“徘徊”）构建一个“文明社会”以弥补他的绝望。既然亚当和夏娃有许多孩子，该隐必定与亲戚成亲。在他的城市里他拥有许多美好的事物，但神拒绝了他，并给亚当另一个儿子，塞思（意思是“指定”），以延续敬虔的命脉。
用经文祷告
- 我们总是能有两种方法来到神面前。一个是依靠信心，另一种是依赖自己的功德。有多少时候我们来到神前是为要向他展示我们是如何的好和聪明，以及我们是如何值得他的称赞。事实上，我们是在告诉神，我们并不需要祂。然而，我们被创造的本质是要依靠神、相信他、信赖他的话。让我们祷告祈求神使我们能专心仰赖耶和华，不可倚靠自己的聪明。（箴3:5）
- 除了爱神，我们也要爱人如己。那我们不是应该更加爱自己的弟兄姊妹吗？你的弟兄姊妹在哪里？让我们开始为他们祷告。
