January 3, 2026 - Genesis 4-5

God had approved of Abel’s offering but not of Cain’s.  Cain was not pleased, and “The LORD said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?  If you do well, will you not be accepted?  And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door.  Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it’” (4:6-7).  It seems that God wanted Cain to do better; indeed, it seems that Cain still had the possibility of turning, especially with God’s help.  Rather than turning from his anger, though, when the brothers were in the field together, “Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him” (4:8).  A lot can be said about the heinousness of Cain’s crime and its punishment.  What’s that phrase we sometimes use?  “Coulda, shoulda, woulda.”  But Cain didn’t.  He could have, though.  He could have, initially, turned from his jealousy before murdering his brother.  Have committed the crime, he could have shown remorse, repented, and asked God for forgiveness.  But he did not.  Such a picture of human sin!  I once heard Ernie Reisinger observe, “God is closer than the front of the church building (Where sometimes we think we must meet with God.).  He is even closer than the tips of your fingers.  Wherever there is a prayer for mercy, you will find God.”  David knew this.  Peter knew this.  Paul knew this.  An adulterer and murderer, a disloyal disciple, a murderer of Christians; all cried out to God and were forgiven.  Cain refused.  But our God is a gracious God, full of mercy, and patient toward those who genuinely seek him and his forgiveness.  The lesson?  Don’t be like Cain.  Be like David, like Peter, like Paul.

Lord, I confess to Thee

sadly my sin;

all I am, tell to Thee,

all I have been;

purge Thou my sin away,

wash Thou my soul this day;

Lord, make me clean.

Faithful and just art Thou,

forgiving all;

loving and kind art Thou

when poor ones call;

Lord, let the cleansing blood,

blood of the Lamb of God,

pass o'er my soul.   --Horatius Bonar (1866)