Gen 4:7

[jandian]

If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

 

[tribesman]

Here is the comment of Matthew Henry on Gen.4:7

When Cain was born, Eve said, I have gotten a man from the Lord. Perhaps she thought that this was the promised seed. If so, she was wofully disappointed. Abel signifies vanity: when she thought she had the promised seed in Cain, whose name signifies possession, she was so taken up with him that another son was as vanity to her. Observe, each son had a calling. It is the will of God for every one to have something to do in this world. Parents ought to bring up their children to work. Give them a Bible and a calling, said good Mr. Dod, and God be with them.

We may believe that God commanded Adam, after the fall, to shed the blood of innocent animals, and after their death to burn part or the whole of their bodies by fire. Thus that punishment which sinners deserve, even the death of the body, and the wrath of God, of which fire is a well-known emblem, and also the sufferings of Christ, were prefigured. Observe that the religious worship of God is no new invention. It was from the beginning; it is the good old way, Jer 6:16. The offerings of Cain and Abel were different. Cain showed a proud, unbelieving heart. Therefore he and his offering were rejected. Abel came as a sinner, and according to God's appointment, by his sacrifice expressing humility, sincerity, and believing obedience. Thus, seeking the benefit of the new covenant of mercy, through the promised Seed, his sacrifice had a token that God accepted it. Abel offered in faith, and Cain did not, Heb 11:4. In all ages there have been two sorts of worshippers, such as Cain and Abel; namely, proud, hardened despisers of the gospel method of salvation, who attempt to please God in ways of their own devising; and humble believers, who draw near to him in the way he has revealed. Cain indulged malignant anger against Abel. He harboured an evil spirit of discontent and rebellion against God. God notices all our sinful passions and discontents. There is not an angry, envious, or fretful look, that escapes his observing eye.

The Lord reasoned with this rebellious man; if he came in the right way, he should be accepted. Some understand this as an intimation of mercy. If thou doest not well, sin, that is, the sin-offering, lies at the door, and thou mayest take the benefit of it. The same word signifies sin, and a sacrifice for sin. Though thou hast not done well, yet do not despair; the remedy is at hand. Christ, the great sin-offering, is said to stand at the door, Re 3:20. And those well deserve to perish in their sins, that will not go to the door to ask for the benefit of this sin-offering. God's acceptance of Abel's offering did not change the birthright, and make it his; why then should Cain be so angry? Sinful heats and disquiets vanish before a strict and fair inquiry into the cause.

Here is John Calvin's commentary on same scripture :

If thou does well. In these words God reproves Cain for having been unjustly angry, inasmuch as the blame of the whole evil lay with himself. For foolish indeed was his complaint and indignation at the rejection of sacrifices, the defects of which he had taken no care to amend. Thus all wicked men, after they have been long and vehemently enraged against God, are at length so convicted by the Divine judgment, that they vainly desire to transfer to others the cause of the evil....


Some of the Hebrew Doctors refer it to the countenance of Cain, as if God promised that he would lift it up though now cast down with sorrow. Other of the Hebrews apply it to the remission of sins; as if it had been said, ‘Do well, and thou shalt obtain pardon’. But because they imagine a satisfaction, which derogates from free pardon, they dissent widely from the meaning of Moses. A third exposition approaches more nearly to the truth, that exaltation is to be taken for honor, in this way, ‘There is no need to envy thy brother’s honor, because, if thou conductest thyself rightly, God will also raise thee to the same degree of honor; though he now, offended by thy sins, has condemned thee to ignominy.’...


We now perceive how unjustly Cain was angry that his sacrifices were not honored seeing that God was ready to receive them with outstretched hands, provided they ceased to be faulty. At the same time, however; what I before said must be recalled to memory, that the chief point of well-doing is, for pious persons, relying on Christ the Mediator, and on the gratuitous reconciliation procured by him, to endeavor to worship God sincerely and without dissimulation. Therefore, these two things are joined together by a mutual connection: that the faithful, as often as they enter into the presence of God, are commended by the grace of Christ alone, their sins being blotted out; and yet that they bring thither true purity of heart.


And if thou does not well. On the other hand, God pronounces a dreadful sentence against Cain, if he harden his mill in wickedness and indulge himself in his crime; for the address is very emphatical, because God not only repels his unjust complaint, but shows that Cain could have no greater adversary than that sin of his which he inwardly cherished. He so binds the impious man, by a few concise words, that he can find no refuge, as if he had said, ‘Thy obstinacy shall not profit thee; for, though thou shouldst have nothing to do with me, thy sin shall give thee no rest, but shall drive thee on, pursue thee, and urge thee, and never suffer thee to escape.’ Hence it follows, that he not only raged in vain and to no profit; but was held guilty by his own inward conviction, even though no one should accuse him; for the expression, ‘Sin lieth at the door’, relates to the interior judgement of the conscience, which presses upon the man convinced of his sin, and besieges him on every side....

And unto thee shall be his desire. Nearly all commentators refer this to sin, and think that, by this admonition, those depraved hosts are restrained which solicit and impel the mind of man. Therefore, according to their view, the meaning will be of this kind, ‘If sin rises against thee to subdue thee, why dost thou indulge it, and not rather labor to restrain and control it? For it is thy part to subdue and bring into obedience those affections in thy flesh which thou perceivest to be opposed to the will of God, and rebellious against him.’ But I suppose that Moses means something entirely different. I omit to notice that to the Hebrew word for sin is affixed the mark of the feminine gender, but that here two masculine relative pronouns are used. Certainly Moses does not treat particularly of the sin itself which was committed, but of the guilt which is contracted from it, and of the consequent condemnation. How, then, do these words suit, ‘Unto thee shall be his desire?’.

There will, however be no need for long refutation when I shall produce the genuine meaning of the expression. It rather seems to be a reproof, by which God charges the impious man with ingratitude, because he held in contempt the honor of primogeniture. The greater are the divine benefits
with which any one of us is adorned, the more does he betray his impiety unless he endeavors earnestly to serve the Author of grace to whom he is under obligation. When Abel was regarded as his brother’s inferior, he was, nevertheless, a diligent worshipper of God. But the firstborn worshipped God negligently and perfunctorily, though he had, by the Divine kindness, arrived at so high a dignity; and, therefore, God enlarges upon his sin, because he had not at least imitated his brother, whom he ought to have surpassed as far in piety as he did in the degree of honor.

Moreover, this form of speech is common among the Hebrews, that the desire of the inferior should be towards him to whose will he is subject; thus Moses speaks of the woman, (Genesis 3:16,) that her desire should be to her husband. They, however, childishly trifle, who distort this passage to prove the freedom of the will; for if we grant that Cain was admonished of his duty in order that he might apply himself to the subjugation of sin, yet no inherent power of man is to be hence inferred; because it is certain that only by the grace of the Holy Spirit can the affections of the flesh be so mortified that they shall not prevail. Nor, truly, must we conclude, that as often as God commands anything we shall have strength to perform it, but rather we must hold fast the saying of Augustine, ‘Give what thou commandest, and command what thou wilt.’

 

[jandian]

Interesting views...
I was once preparing a lesson for my Sunday school kids about giving.....
And the Lord gave e that scripture... sounds strange; until He broke it down.
God was actually rebuking Cain for his offering. You see, Cain was a half-way worshipper. God rejected his offering because it was not hi best.

When i was preparing that lesson, it really convicted me. Do I give God my best? God said there were consequences to not giving your best, sin lurks at the door. It like being lukewarm which He speaks against in Revelation. He said He will spew those out of His mouth.

The scripture has stayed with me in a different way; it often reminds me to give God my best

 

[tribesman]

...God was actually rebuking Cain for his offering. You see, Cain was a half-way worshipper. God rejected his offering because it was not hi best.

When i was preparing that lesson, it really convicted me. Do I give God my best? God said there were consequences to not giving your best, sin lurks at the door. It like being lukewarm which He speaks against in Revelation. He said He will spew those out of His mouth.

The scripture has stayed with me in a different way; it often reminds me to give God my best

As I interpret these messages, and I mainly agree with the teachers quoted, this is all about gospel righteousness, as contrasted to works (or self) righteousness. One that justifies and another that condemns. To simplify this view, the issue at hand is actually not about having a personal sacrifice to be hopefully accepted or at worst rejected, but to obey what God has commanded as valid sacrifice. It's not about doing your very best as much as it is to obey what God has commanded to be perfect.

This must have been the sin of Cain that he did not deliver what God asked for. He thought it somehow inappropriate to give a bloody sacrifice and wanted instead to give a sacrifice of what was grown in or on the earth. The differences in nature and character here are enormous, that aside it still all boils down to what one comes before the Lord with. If one comes with that which the Lord has chosen or if one comes with something else, after own liking.

Some interpreters have said that Cain as a gardener was very skilled if not masterful in his craft, he would by far have exceeded Abel in creating something that was impressive and demanded a high talent. However, this was not what God asked for. The shepherd Abel on the other hand gave the best out of his flock. And this was what God had commanded. God was not looking for them to perform the best that they ever could in their respectives, He was looking for them to obey the ordinance that not only glorified Him but also put them in right standing before Him.

Abel acted in faith, Cain acted in unbelief. The way of Cain is not so much about not doing enough according to ones abilities as it is to trust that ability over and above what God has commanded, i e offering something to God which He has not asked for. This is by far not an ancient isolated happening but occurs every time even today when people trust their own understanding and performance more than what God is really asking from them, i e trusting the gospel. Or as it is written:

Rom.1

[16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
[17] For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Rom.10

[1] Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
[2] For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
[3] For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

[16] But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

Jude

[10] But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
[11] Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
[12] These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
[13] Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

 

[jandian]

How do you know God wanted Cain to give a bloody sacrifice? He was a tiller of the ground. To me it was about bringing the best of what you have as an offering. and not necessarily trying to present someone else's work as you own.

 

[AnandaHya]

why did God clothe Adam and Eve in tunics of skin and not plant fibers?

Genesis 3
21 Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.

do you think it was a foreshadowing of Jesus' sacrifice to cover the sin of the world with His love?

Psalm 32:1
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.

Romans 4:7
“ Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered;

1 Peter 4:8
And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

 

[Laodicea]

Both Cain and Abel worshiped God, Abel did it according to God's way, Cain worshiped God his own way. We cannot worship God our way we are to worship God His way.

 

[tribesman]

How do you know God wanted Cain to give a bloody sacrifice? He was a tiller of the ground. To me it was about bringing the best of what you have as an offering. and not necessarily trying to present someone else's work as you own.

The blood sacrificial pattern is one of the ultimate theological consequences of this continuing scenario. It could of course well be argued that Cain could have brought forth the firstfruits of his crops (Exo.34:26) but that wasn't what he did. Sure, he didn't give the best of what he had whereas Abel did this. Again, this was not an issue of testing their individual performance, God wasn't looking for qualities of skills to be topped at their utmost, He was looking for respect/worship due His Name in commanded sacrifices.

To the very least however we should see that also the nature of what was sacrificed and it's atoning and eventually redeeming qualities (or lack thereof) are not irrelevant in the context. Abel and his sacrifice stands as a type and foreshadow of Christ and his sacrificial atonement. They are related in many regards. There were doubtless laws regulating proper sacrifice here. And what about the blood? God did require blood sacrifice from the very beginning to atone for man's sin. These laws having been already with Adam. Actually AnandaHya has already given a scripture to evidence this. We may quote it again:

Gen.3

[21] Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

From this scripture found in Hebrews we see that Abel was indeed acting in faith, obeying what he had been entrusted to enact:

Heb.11

[4] By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God bearing witness in respect of his gifts: and through it he being dead yet speaketh.

How does faith come without the hearing of God's word, even the gospel? The very same everlasting gospel that also the saints in the old covenant received.

Heb.4
[1] Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
[2] For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

Rom.10

[16] But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
[17] So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

As with Abraham, there must have been commandments/instruction to either obey in trusting faith, or disobey in dis- or unbelief and after own liking.

Gen.26

[4] And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
[5] Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

Therefore the conclusion must be that Abel offered his sacrifice by obeying the word of God. Abel presented his sacrifice unto God by faith. He could not have offered a defective or uneven sacrifice that way, that would not have been "by faith". Cain on the contrary choosed to walk "by sight", directed by what his own wisdom and senses thought would be honorable as gift to God. Cain did not present his sacrifice by faith. And since he didn't worship in accordance with the commandments of God, his offering was rejected.

Cain was presumptuous. Whatever his thoughts were about if God was really serious or not in what He commanded is of less interest, his actions proved that he supposed he had the right to substitute his own judgment for God's. The way of Cain is presumptous and rebellious. Those who follows it will likewise presume their own selfwilled worship and usurp authority, ultimately rejecting the judgments and statues of the Lord, replacing them with their own form of worship. There's this easy way to spot cainism even to this day and that is simply any thing pertaining to worship and instruction that God has not asked for.

 

[jandian]

I should probably stop to clarify that when i speak of giving your best, it has nothing to do with skill... It's actually an attitude, which i think you are trying to say as well. which is why i referred to Cain as a half way worshipper ad why i referred to the scripture in revelation that speaks about being lukewarm. This is not a discussion about works verses grace.

Consider the woman who brought her few pennies to God, Jesus said she gave better than all the others....because it was her best

 

[jandian]

why did God clothe Adam and Eve in tunics of skin and not plant fibers?

Genesis 3
21 Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.

do you think it was a foreshadowing of Jesus' sacrifice to cover the sin of the world with His love?

Psalm 32:1
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.

Romans 4:7
“ Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered;

1 Peter 4:8
And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

I am sure it was a type and shadow, I'm not questioning that. But the bible doesnt say that is what God was looking for from Cain...what it does say is that Abel brought his firstborn of his flock (his best) and about Cain, it saids that just cain brought his fruits.... no nice firstborn description...LOL

 

[tribesman]

I should probably stop to clarify that when i speak of giving your best, it has nothing to do with skill... It's actually an attitude, which i think you are trying to say as well. which is why i referred to Cain as a half way worshipper ad why i referred to the scripture in revelation that speaks about being lukewarm. This is not a discussion about works verses grace.

Consider the woman who brought her few pennies to God, Jesus said she gave better than all the others....because it was her best

Definitely agreeing to this having to do with heart/attitude. The heart of believing and the heart of unbelief. The author of Hebrews makes it clear that Abel had faith in God and John said that Abel's works were righteous, whilst Cain's works were evil, unrighteous and thus not motivated by faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Since belief and unbelief is part of the underlying structure of the story it evidently comes down to gospel righteousness (God's righteousness) vs self righteousness.

The end.