Comments on: God’s Displeasure with Cain

By: Kent Carlisle

Kent Carlisle — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:35:00 +0000

Good Stuff, My Friend And isn't it interesting that all the descendants of Cain were cut off at the Flood.

By: Laura LaPrise

Laura LaPrise — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:02:00 +0000

Agreed. I used to wonder this same thing, and was glad when somebody finally gave me an answer along these lines.

By: Christopher Kou

Christopher Kou — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:50:00 +0000

Grain offerings are acceptable in the sacrificial system, but only if offered after or beside the atonement of a blood offering. As Hebrews says, "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin." The grain offering is most closely associated with thanksgiving, which comes after forgiveness, not before or apart from it. I don't think we have to make a choice over whether the text is pointing to Cain OR his sacrifice, as it certainly does both. The nature of Cain's sacrifice reveals something about "he, Cain, even he," who thought he could be at peace with God apart from a sin offering.

By: Deborah Andreasen

Deborah Andreasen — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:59:00 +0000

I read a commentary that indicated that a grain offering would have been acceptable, but that Cain withheld the best of his gifts. The original text focuses on Cain, to the extent that it almost stutters with repitition, "And he, Cain, even he brought…" which suggests that the author is pointing to Cain, and not the nature of his sacrifice.

By: David Houf

David Houf — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:48:00 +0000

Well done, Chris.I think that Abel prefigures Christ not only as bringing a spotless sacrifice, but as murdered prophet. Abel is the first prophet-martyr under the old covenant and Zechariah is the last under the Old Covenant. (Matt 23; Luke 11). Christ is of course the ultimate prophet (Mark 6:4) murdered by His people. As God sent Abel as a prophet, so He sent prophets to His people. As Cain disobeyed through his sacrifice, so did the people. (Amos 5/Acts 7:39ff) As Cain murdered his prophet-brother, so did Jerusalem.In Christ's woe upon pharisees and lawyers, He puts the murdered prophets' blood on the shoulders of "this generation." (Matt 23:35; Luke 11:50-1.) Thus, the blood of Abel not required of Cain (Gen. 4:15) at the beginning, was required of his unrepentant descendants at the end. Just a thought.Dave

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000