Cain and Abel
Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Genesis 4:1-8. In chapter four we learn that Adam knew his wife, Eve; she conceived, and gave birth to a son which they named Cain. The name Cain means “possession.” Eve said, “I have gotten a man from the LORD.”
Eve conceived again and gave birth to a second son, which they named Abel. The name Abel means “breath.” The boys grew up and Abel became a shepherd, and Cain was a farmer. Considering the occupations of the men, we may conclude that Cain was physically the stronger of the two men.
In due time, Cain brought an offering to the LORD from the fruit of the ground which he had worked. Abel also brought an offering of the best first born from his flock.
The LORD respected Abel and his offering: but God didn’t have respect for Cain and his offering. We aren’t told why God rejected Cain’s offering. Could it be because Cain’s offering was from the ground, which God had cursed when Adam sinned? Could it be because a blood sacrifice was more acceptable to God? Cain became very angry and upset. Cain became jealous because his offering was rejected, while Abel’s was accepted.
The LORD asked Cain, Why art you angry? Why are you sad? God told Cain, If you do well, won’t you be accepted? If you don’t do well, sin will lie at the door and to you will be his desire, and you will rule over him.
One day Cain talked with Abel his brother and while they were in the field, Cain attacked Abel, his brother, and killed him. Can you imagine what would cause a man to kill his brother? Personally, I find this hard to understand. I love my brother and sisters and can’t imagine being that angry with them. Things like this do happen in families and it has to be devastating to the family. Can you imagine the heart-break that Adam and Eve must have felt?
Abel hadn’t done anything to Cain. Cain was jealous of Abel because God accepted his offering. In Matthew 18:21-22, “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”
Jealousy of this kind not only happens in families, it can happen at work, school, among friends, colleagues, or even in churches. It is one of those things that the enemy likes to use to cause division among us.
We are told in Matthew 5:23-24, “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”
Hate, anger, jealousy, and resentment are like cancers that will eat at you, if you let it. It will cause you to do things that you thought you’d never do. Is there something you need to make right with someone today so you can live at peace with God?
Daily Bible Reading:
Genesis 4:1-8
1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.
2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
Things to think about:
- Who was the first-born child of Adam and Eve?
- Who was the second-born child of Adam and Eve?
- What were the occupations of the two men?
- Why was there jealousy between the two sons?
- What ended up happening because of this jealousy?
Prayer of the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father,
As we read this passage we see the power of anger, jealousy, and resentment. Help us not to hold grudges against others. Help us to be forgiving toward others. Forgive us of the times we have failed in this area of our lives and help us to do better with it in the future. Remind us of the story of Cain and Abel when we need to remember this lesson. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
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Featured Book:
The Book of Psalms: Part 5 Chapters 120-150
By Deborah H. Bateman
About the book:
The Book of Psalms: Part 5 Chapters 120-150 by Deborah H. Bateman is 30th book in the Daily Bible Reading Series. The book of Psalms contains 150 chapters. Deborah divided The Book of Psalms into five books to make it easier to read and study. Each book contains approximately thirty chapters from the book of Psalms.
Psalm 119 will not be included in The Book of Psalms since Deborah has already published a book about it called: Psalm 119: Thy Word is a Lamp unto My Feet. The book of Psalms is one of Deborah’s favorite books of the Bible. It is a great book to read if you’re ever feeling down or need to renew your relationship with Christ. King David went through a lot of tough times in his lifetime, but he loved God and trusted God to protect him from his enemies.
The book of Psalms was written by various people. About half of it was attributed to King David, whether they were written by David or for David is questioned by some biblical scholars. Some of the Psalms were written by Asaph and some say they were written for the sons of Korah and even Moses and Solomon were writers of the Psalms. The Psalms consists of poetry that was primarily meant to be used as songs of praise to the Lord.
This part of the book of Psalms contains fifteen of the Songs of degrees. They were the songs or chants that the people of Israel sang as they journeyed to Jerusalem. It also contains some of the Psalms of David.
The Book of Psalms: Part 5 Chapters 120-150 contains thirty-eight Daily Bible Reading Lessons. Each lesson contains a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scriptures, a few questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer of the day. It is a great Bible study for individuals or group studies.
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