Holy War!

 August 13, 2020 (Thursday)

 

Last time I left you with Adam and Eve being driven out of the Garden. This was on the heels of King Solomon saying we need to enjoy our worthless lives. He also suggested to men, you deserve your wives in this useless life. That’s dark sarcasm.

 

The early humans developed a ritual system for connecting to God. These sacrifices reminded them of the cost of their sin. We read, “In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions.” [Genesis 4:3 – 4a ESV] Cain, Adam and Eve’s first son brought “the fruit of the ground” as an offering. Able, Adam and Eve’s second son, brought “the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions.”

 

For the record, grain offerings were acceptable under the Old Testament law for certain things. However, “And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard.” [Genesis 4:4b – 5a ESV] God did not accept Cain’s offering. One theory behind the rejection is the “blood sacrifice.” The concept was established when God made clothing out of animal skin for Adam and Eve. By not bringing a blood sacrifice, Cain was attempting to gain God’s favor his own way.

 

A dark idea behind Cain’s behavior is his “bad attitude.” Behavior is based on feeling. The feeling becomes attitude, a way to understand life. It’s what make “facts” fluid and open to interpretation. “This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.” [Genesis 4:5b NLT]

 

Ever notice how we get angry and sulk around when we don’t get our way. The police officer writes us a ticket for going 20 miles per hour over the speed limit, and we get angry…. At the officer! Yet, God does not let Cain go deeper without offering a way to escape the icy grip of his anger and despair. “The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why do you look so resentful?” [Genesis 4:6 CEB]

 

Then God gives the key to religion. “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” [Genesis 4:7 NLT] God will accept us if we do right. “Right” means we do it God’s way, within God’s rules, sticking to God’s design. If we want to make things up as we go, trouble is certain.

 

The image God uses is “crouching.” Like a predator who is stalking and ready to pounce. Sins desire is to control us. Sin is a slave master, in the ugliest sense of the word. Cain is advised to deal with it. Cain’s response? “One day Cain suggested to his brother, “Let’s go out into the fields.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him.” [Genesis 4:8 NLT]

 

Premeditated, “cold-blooded” murder. Without remorse Cain murders his brother Able… over religion.