By Teman Knight
Adjunct Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
CAIN AND ABEL: FAMILY RESPONSIBILITY
Genesis 4:1–12
The Bible begins with the wonderful account of creation. While everything was created by God, the Book of Genesis paints a beautiful picture of God’s personal involvement in the creation of mankind. God created man and woman to have a relationship with Him and then placed them in a garden.
He gave them dominion over what He had created and gave them the task of tending the garden. But Adam and Eve rebelled and sinned against God. Sin not only impacts our relationship with God but also our relationships with each other. The impact of sin often manifests itself inside the family.
We are to contribute to our family’s well-being. (1–2)
After Adam and Eve were removed from the garden because of their sin, Eve conceived and gave birth to two sons.
We see even in this biological act of birth that God is the Creator when Eve says, “I have had a male child with the Lord’s help.” Cain’s name means “I have gotten,” which shows that they had received him as a gift from God. Abel’s name means “breath,” referring to God breathing His breath of life into him.
Cain and Abel were very different. Cain was a farmer of the ground whereas Abel tended the flocks, but both had to work hard to produce food for their existence.
In whatever we do, we are to give our best to God as an act of worship. (3–7)
Even if someone is part of a family of faith, it is important that each member has a personal relationship with God. Both Cain and Abel brought an offering for God from what each produced. Cain brought some of the land’s produce, while Abel brought some of the firstborn and best portions of his flock. This may reflect Cain’s attitude if he did not bring God his best. In whatever we do, we are to give our best to God as an act of worship.
The real difference is seen in their behaviors. God was pleased not only with Abel’s offering, but He was also pleased with Abel.
Cain and his offering were found to be lacking. The indication that the problem was with Cain and not his offering is seen in God’s response: “If you do what is right, won’t you be accepted?” Our obedience is what pleases God.
We should seek to do good and not harm those in our family. (8–12)
God warned Cain to deal with the sin that was “crouching at the door.” Cain ignored the warning and acted on his jealousy. He plotted to lure Abel to the field and kill him. God confronted Cain and punished him for his sin.
We must deal with sin when it first presents itself. Cain allowed one sin to drive him to multiple sins and ultimately to attacking and killing his brother.
God expects us to take care of each other, whether it is our biological family or our church family. God is all about relationships — our relationship with Him and our relationships with each other. Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other command greater than these” (Mark 12:30–31).
EDITOR’S NOTE — The Sunday School lesson outlines are provided by Lifeway.
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