'''CHAPTER FOUR: BROTHER VERSUS BROTHER'''
CHAPTER FOUR
BROTHER VERSUS BROTHER
Expelled from the garden paradise of Eden, Adam and Eve were forced to fend for themselves. Using tree limbs, leaves and mud, they built themselves shelter from the weather and wild animals.
Through hard, exhausting work, they tilled and ploughed the earth so that it would yield plenty of healthy vegetables and fruits for their survival.
And they tended flocks of sheep and goats for clothing materials, milk and meat.
Because Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate the fruit of self-knowledge— of good and evil—they had to protect themselves from bears, lions and other wild animals. The nature of all animals changed from being peaceful to violent and savage. Many became meat eaters, killing the sick, weak and helpless. Some even desired to eat people!
'Adam' and Eve Have Children
As time passed, the man and wife gave birth to a son. His name was Cain. Soon after, they had another son, named Abel (Genesis 4:1-2).
Because Adam and Eve had decided to choose for themselves right from wrong and not trust God, they did not know how to properly teach and rear their children. Without God’s guidance, they made many mistakes.
Whenever Cain wanted his way, he would scream, shout and fight until his parents gave in—which was most of the time. Since they did not give him rules, correct him or teach him God’s Way, Cain became a spoiled bully. Eventually, he grew up to be a spoiled, selfish, immature man.
On the other hand, his younger brother Abel was respectful and selfless. He tried to please his parents and get along with his big broth-er. Though Abel was not perfect and sometimes broke God’s laws, he continually sought to obey God. As they grew into adulthood, Cain became a farmer, while Abel became a shepherd. Both professions were honourable in God’s sight (Gen 4:2).
As a farmer, Cain plowed the soil, and planted and watered seeds.
This was hard, sweaty, back-aching work. But it produced tall rows of sweet corn, green leafy lettuce and other fruits and vegetables. Cain took great pride in what his hard work produced.
As a shepherd, Abel tended flocks of sheep. He led them out to choice green pastures of grass to eat from. Abel protected them from wolves, lions and other wild animals. He guided their every step, away from potential danger, into safety and shelter. Abel used the wool of his sheep to make clothing and other materials. And sometimes he used lamb (baby sheep) for meat.
The Purpose of Offerings and Sacrifices
Both brothers had been taught by their parents to make offerings to God. By choosing the healthiest, most valuable lamb, goat or grains, and then burning them on a special altar, these offerings were to show their Creator that Cain and Abel appreciated the many blessings
He gave them.
Offerings were also to be used to ask God for forgiveness whenever His spiritual laws were broken.
These burnt offerings, or sacrifices, were only temporary reminders. They were to remind people that the Word (the second member of the God Family) would some day be born as a human being. His name would be Jesus Christ. Since He would live a perfect life, never breaking God’s Law, His death would become the perfect sacrifice, or offering. It would wipe away the death penalty, which all people earn through sin—breaking God’s laws (I John 3:4; Romans 3:23; 6:23). Then Christ would be changed from a flesh-and blood man back into a Spirit Being and a member of the God Family.
His perfect sacrifice would provide all people the same opportunity.
Today, we don’t need to make burnt offerings. Upon repentance—changing our thoughts, attitudes, words and actions so that we can copy God’s ways—we can rely on Jesus Christ’s sacrifice to take away the death penalty.
Offerings and Attitudes
When it came to giving offerings, Cain carelessly chose some of his crops and burned them on a stone altar. He did not appreciate the many blessings God had given him—life, air to breathe, rain, sunshine and rich soil to grow healthy crops, food, shelter, safety from wild animals, and much more.
Without considering what God had done for him, Cain carelessly grabbed some vegetables and grains and presented his offering to God on a stone altar. God was not impressed. He saw that Cain had given his offering with the wrong attitude.
On the other hand, Abel considered all the blessings His Creator had given him.
He thought about the times he made mis-takes and broke God’s spiritual laws—yet God was patient and merciful toward him.
He gave Abel the chance to change his mind and actions.
Abel examined his flock and looked for the perfect lamb.
“Not this one,” he said to himself. “It has a birthmark. And this one next to it is too old.”
Finally, he came to the right one. It did not have a spot or blemish, and it was only a year old—not too young or too old. This was the best lamb of the flock.
Abel gently took the lamb, carried it to a stone altar and killed it.
God saw that Abel took the best of what he owned, the little lamb, and gave it—sacrificed it. God was well pleased, because Abel had given his offering with the right attitude (Genesis 4:3-5).
Wrong Attitudes Lead to Sin
Cain had the wrong attitude. Instead of repenting—changing his mind in order to live God’s Way—he became angry, bitter and filled with hate. Inspired by the rebellious Satan the devil, Cain was upset that God rejected his offering, but accepted Abel’s.
“Who does God think He is?” he thought to himself. “Doesn’t He realize that I’m the firstborn? Why does God favor Abel over me?
What’s so special about my little brother? I’m bigger and stronger than than he is! Doesn’t God realize that I’m better than Abel?”
Aware of Cain’s bad attitude, God asked, “Cain, why are you so angry? All you have to do is follow Me and stop being selfish, then I will accept you. But if you do not follow Me, and continue in your selfish ways, your wrong thoughts and attitudes will grow and cause you to do evil. If you continue in your selfish ways, sin will rule over you, when you should rule over it!” (Genesis 4:6-7).
God’s words gave wise instruction, but Cain refused to listen. He allowed bitterness and anger to grow in his mind.
Every time he saw Abel, Cain thought, “He thinks he’s better than me. I’ll show him.”
He allowed his evil thoughts of anger to grow into hatred toward God and Abel. Cain wanted to get rid of them. He knew that he could not harm God, but Abel was a different matter…
Brother Kills Brother
One day, while talking with Abel in a field, Cain’s uncontrollable anger got the best of him. When Abel turned his back, Cain grabbed a large stick, raised it above his head and struck his brother from behind.
Shocked, Abel crumpled down to his knees in great pain. Blood gushed from the back of his head. Filled with rage, Cain struck Abel again. And again. And again.
Abel was dead. Cain had become the world’s first murderer (Genesis 4:8).
For the last 6,000 years, the world has been filled with war, killing and death. All because Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the tree of selfknowledge.
'Cain' Refuses to Take Blame
Again, God saw what had happened. Nothing can take place without Him knowing about it. God had the power to stop Cain from killing Abel, but He did not. The Eternal has given people 6,000 years to learn that their ways do not work; they only lead to unhappiness, trouble and death.
Cain tried to hide Abel’s body, but God was not fooled.
God said, “Cain, where is your brother?” He was giving Cain a chance to admit to the evil he had just done.
But Cain lied instead. “I don’t know where Abel is. Am I my brother’s keeper—am I responsible for his well-being?” (Genesis 4:9).
What Cain (and most people today) did not realize is that, yes, we are all our “brother’s keeper.” We should all be concerned with the happiness and well-being of others. God’s great spiritual laws are based on love and selfless concern for others—first toward God, then toward other people.
But Cain was selfish. He did not put God first, nor did he love others as much as he loved himself. If he had, Cain would not have murdered his brother Abel.
Since Cain would not admit his sins, God said, “What have you done? You have murdered your brother, your own flesh and blood! You stole his life from him—and it was not yours to take. I am the one who gives life—and only I have the authority to take it away. Because of you, Abel’s blood cries out to Me from the ground!” (Gen 4:10-11).
Cain said nothing. He refused to take responsibility for his wrong actions.
“You are under a curse!” God said. “Whenever you till the soil and try to grow food, no crops will come up for you. You will never be a farmer again! For now on, you will be a fugitive and a vagabond—you will leave your family and wander the earth for the rest of your life” (Gen 4:12).
Cain could hardly believe his ears. “That’s not fair!” he screamed.
“My punishment is greater than I can bear!”
Again, Cain only thought about himself. He did not feel sorry for killing his brother or taking a son away from his parents, or for breaking God’s laws. With sin ruling his mind, Cain always put himself first.
“You’ve taken away my profession, my only means to make food for myself,” he complained. “How am I supposed to survive? And if I go, I will no longer be with my family. I’ll be completely alone and helpless. Anyone who finds me will be able to kill me” (Gen 4:13-14).
Since Adam and Eve would have many more children, Cain was afraid that some of them might grow up and try to kill him for killing Abel.
God reassured Cain. “Whoever kills you, vengeance shall fall on him seven times.”
Then God put a mark on Cain, identifying who he was. “This mark will serve as a warning to any who seek revenge and desire to take your life,” God said (Gen 4:15).
God was extremely merciful, though Cain did not deserve it.
'Cain' Wanders the Earth
Cain left his family and wandered the earth. Eventually, he came to live in the land of Nod, which was east of Eden (Genesis 4:16).
By then, Cain had a wife (Gen 5:17). Many today wonder where she came from. They fail to understand that Cain married one of his many sisters (Genesis 5:1-4).
Remember, God created the first man to be physically perfect. Our Creator did not intend that people get sick or carry diseases, like so many do today. He planned for Adam and Eve’s many sons and daugh- ters to marry each other and have children. And then their sons and daughters would marry each other have more children. God planned to continue this for several generations. Thousands of years later, He would forbid brothers and sisters and other close relatives from marrying each other (Leviticus 18).
By that time, men would have broken so many physical laws of health, their bodies would be imperfect, and sickness and disease would be widespread. If God continued to allow brothers and sisters to marry, they would produce physically damaged children.
God, in His mercy, always knows what is best for us.
Wickedness Spreads
Tired of wandering, Cain and a group of followers decided to build a city. This was against God’s will. He wanted people to spread out across the earth, not clump together in towns and cities. God knew that without His Holy Spirit guiding them, people would naturally break His laws. And by living close together, they would have more opportunity to steal, lie and hurt each other.
Cain named the world’s first city after his firstborn son, Enoch (Genesis 4:17).
With people ready to follow his law-breaking ways, Cain ruled the city of Enoch with cruelty.
Generation upon generation was born and grew into adulthood. Over time, perhaps millions of people grew to live on the earth. Though not as physically perfect as Adam and Eve, they lived long lives spanning hundreds of years!
Origins of Our World
Inspired by Satan the devil and his demons, Cain’s evil ways soon spread throughout generations of children.
Cain’s great-great-great-great-great-grandson Lamech married not one, but two women! Yet God had intended that each husband be married to only one wife.
Lamech’s wife Adah gave birth to Jabal. He is the father of nomads, people who live in tents, herd cattle and wander from place to place.
Nomads still exist today.
Jabal’s brother Jubal invented stringed and wooden musical instru-ments, like the harp and flute. He is the father of music influenced by the devil.
Lamech’s other wife, Zillah, had a son named Tubal-Cain. He invented metal work—creating metal tools from bronze, brass, and other earthly materials. This included making swords and other weapons of war (Genesis 4:19-22).
Worldwide Evil
After Cain and Abel, the next son Eve had was Seth. Unlike most of those born after him,Seth worshipped God. He diligently obeyed Him.
Seth taught his son Enosh to do the same (Genesis 4:25-26).
As the earth became filled with violence, war, killing, stealing and all forms of evil, a few of Seth’s descendants worshipped God and followed His ways, for the most part.
After living 930 years, Adam died (Genesis 5:1-5). During his lifetime, he saw children and their descendants cause all kinds of trouble and harm.
With his last breath, Adam must have thought about the terrible choice he made back in the Garden of Eden and how it produced an evil world filled with violence and hate.
Just like our world is today.
But God will not allow it to stay this way. He has a Master Plan.
Back toTHE STORY OF THE BIBLE VOLUME ONE