Genesis 4:1-15 Pages (71-79)
"But Cain cherished feelings of rebellion, and murmured against God because of the curse pronounced upon the earth and upon the human race for Adam's sin." (PP 71). So Cain's mindset was already similar to Satan's mindset before the incident, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to be overtaken by Satan in the first place. This theory is further proved: "He permitted his mind to run in the same channel that led to Satan's fall, indulging the desire for self-exaltation and questioning the divine justice and authority." (PP 71).
"These brothers were tested, as Adam had been tested before them...They knew that in these offerings they were to express faith in the Savior whom the offerings typified...to acknowledge their total dependence on Him for pardon; and they knew that by thus conforming to the divine plan for their redemption, they were giving proof of their obedience to the will of God. Without the shedding of blood there could be no remission of sin; (PP 71). God will always give us tests to see if we're ready for something important. Like a trail that will unlock the next section of the story. Each choice changing the direction of the story. In this test, the kind of sacrifice offered is a choice made by both Cain and Abel. "They were to show their faith in the blood of Christ as the promised atonement by offering the firstlings of the flock in sacrifice. Besides this, the first fruits of the earth were to be presented before the Lord as a thank offering." (PP 71). There are different kinds of offerings for different kinds of purposes. One to show faith, one to show thanks.
"But Cain, disregarding the Lord's direct and explicit command, presented only an offering of fruit. There was no token from heaven to show that it was accepted. Abel pleaded with his brother to approach God in the divinely prescribed way, but his entreaties only made Cain the more determined to follow his own will. As the eldest, he felt above being admonished by his brother and despised his counsel." (PP 71). "He chose the course of self-dependence. He would come in his own merits. He would not bring the lamb, and mingle its blood with his offering, but would present his fruits, the products of his labor." (PP 72) Cain was in a performance perspective of thinking. He saw his efforts, his labor/performance as the best offering. However he wasn't asked for his best performance, he was asked for a specific offering and he knew it. But didn't want to be told what to do and wanted to do things his own way.
"But he rendered only a partial obedience. The essential part, the recognition of the need of a Redeemer was left out." (PP 72) The problem with Cain's sacrifice is that he excluded the sacrifice that showed he recognized his need for saving. (he didn't think he needed saving basically).
"Abel grasped the great principles of redemption. he saw himself a sinner. and he saw sun and its penalty, death, standing between his soul and communion with God. he brought the slain victim, the sacrificed life, thus acknowledging the claims of the law that had been transgressed." (PP 72). Abel is shown to have the opposing side of Cain, he shows obedience and humility towards the Father, recognizing that he is a sinner and needs to be rescued. However, Cain could've known to do this as well, however it seems to be that Cain chose a different path: "Cain had the same opportunity of learning and accepting these truths as had Abel, He was not the victim of an arbitrary purpose. One brother was not elected to be accepted of God, and the other to be rejected. Abel chose faith and obedience, Cain, unbelief and rebellion." (PP 72).
"Cain and Abel represent two classes that will exist in the world till the close of time. One class avail themselves of the appointed sacrifice for sin; the other venture to depend upon their own merits; (PP 72). "The class of worshipers who follow the example of Cain includes by far the greater portion of the world; for nearly every false religion has been based on the same principle, that man can depend upon his own efforts for salvation." (PP 73). Cain and Abel are like two sides of the same coin. There are two choices, each choose different paths and Cain's decedents follow the same path, while Seth, the other brother, follows in Abel's footsteps.
"When Cain saw that his offering was rejected, he was angry with the Lord and with Abel; he was angry that God did not accept man's substitute in the place of the sacrifice divinely ordained, and angry with his brother for choosing to obey God instead of joining in rebellion against Him." (PP 73). "Cain continued to complain of the injustice of God and to cherish jealousy and hatred of Abel. he angrily reproached his brother and attempted to draw him into controversy concerning God's dealing with them... Abel defended the justice and goodness of God. he pointed out Cain's error, and tried to convince him that the wrong was in himself." (PP 74). "All this caused Cain's anger to burn hotter. Reason and conscience told him that Abel was in the right; but he was enraged that one who had been wont to heed his counsel that he could Cain no sympathy in his rebellion. In the fury of his passion he slew his brother." (PP 74). "Not for any wrong that Abel had done, but 'Because his own works were evil, and his brother's was righteous." (1 John 3:12) (PP 74). All this is just amazing to watch unfold in reading. I have nothing to say but to absorb the story of what happened.
"The brighter the heavenly light that is reflected from the character of God's faithful servants, the more clearly the sins of the ungodly are revealed, and the more determined will be their efforts to destroy those who disturb their peace." (PP 74). "When Cain, moved by the spirit of the wicked one, saw that he could not control Abel, he was so enraged that he destroyed his life. (PP 77). The spirit of Satan was angry that he couldn't get to Abel, and resorted to violence, trying to destroy any way of obedience to God. We see this today with the persecution of Christians.
"God had given Cain an opportunity to confess his sin. He had had time to reflect. He knew the enormity of the deed he had done, and of the falsehood he had uttered to conceal it; but he was rebellious still, and sentence was no longer deferred." (PP 77) "Notwithstanding that Cain had by his crimes merited the sentence of death, a merciful Creator still spared his life, and granted him opportunity for repentance. But Cain only to harden his heart." (PP 78). God gave Cain time to reflect and repent, but still he refused. But even when Cain worried that he would be killed, God placed a mark on him to prevent this to ease his fears because He still loved him. Even then, Cain still hardened his heart. This is a true example of Agape.
"God, the One infinite and all wise, sees the end from the beginning, and in dealing with evil His plans were far reaching and comprehensive. It was His purpose, not merely to put down the rebellion, but to demonstrate to all the universe the nature of the rebellion. God's plan was unfolding, showing both His justice and His mercy. and fully vindicating His wisdom and righteousness in His dealings with evil. (PP 78). God's plan was to show us His true character and to show the effects of evil, and how to deal with it.
"God will demonstrate the principles of His rules of government, which have been falsified by Satan and by all whom he has deceived. His justice will finally be acknowledged by the whole world, though the acknowledgement will be made too late to save the rebellious. God carries with Him the sympathy and approval of the whole universe as step by step His great plan advances to it's complete fulfillment. He will carry it with Him in the final eradication of rebellion. It will be seen that all who have forsaken the divine precepts have placed themselves on the side of Satan, in warfare against Christ. When the prince of this world shall be judged, and all who have united with him shall share his fate, the whole universe as witnesses to the sentence will declare," Just and true are Thy ways, Though King of saints." (PP 79). As we dig deeper into these daily readings and studies, I feel myself drawing closer to Him, and loving more. Amen.