“CAIN, PART 11”

1. When we think of Cain, one of Adam and Eve’s sons,

2. We normally consider one of three issues:

A. The story Cain killed Able;

B. Cain’s worship which was rejected by God.

C. Where did Cain get his wife?.

I THOUGH WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH 3 FAMOUS EVENT’S IN CAIN’S LIFE, TRUTH

ABOUT CAIN WHICH IS OFTEN NOT NOTED.

A. If you have turned to Gen. 4, let’s read some of the text.

B. V. 16 - READ

C. Cain “went out from the presence of Jehovah.”

(1) The idea here is that Cain left God.

(2) Cain turned here is that Cain left God.

(3) He no longer worshipped and offered sacrifices to God.

D. The thoroughness of his rejection may be hinted at in this verse.

E. Notice that Cain went to an area East of Eden.

F. He separated himself from others who worshipped God.

G. This area (East of Eden) may be very significant.

H. It was East of Eden that God had placed cherubim & a flaming sword,

I. Going in the same direction as these two items…

J. May have been one more way of saying to God, “I reject you.”

K. “I defy you. I am opposed to you.”

L. Though Cain turned his back on God,

M. In his heart he knew the truth, ways of the Lord.

N. Having left God, Cain moved into the land of “Nod.”

O. “Nod” means, “shaking/trembling/wandering.”

P. This suggest that Cain’s spirit was never peaceful or calm. He was restless.

Q. When men and women put a barrier between themselves and God,

R. Fear, restlessness, and sleepiness often follow.

S. Cain’s rejection of God is further explained in v. 17 - READ

(1) Cain built a city.

(a) If I understand the Hebrew grammar correctly,

(b) Cain only started to build this city.

(d) This consistent with the curse that was placed upon him.

(e) He Would be so restless and wander so much, That

(f) Completing a project like this would be impossible.

(2) Cain left society where God was honored.

(3) He began a new community.

(4) As we will see, this community bore his mark.

(5) The residents in this area were a lot like Cain.

T. In light of verse 17, is sounds like Cain did OK.

U. Though he has sent himself against God,
V. He was not killed.

W. Cain was able to find a life.

X. He was even able to father a child.

Y. He at least started to build a city w/he c/lived w/ his family.

Z. Some suspect that Adam and Eve were tent dwellers while Cain lived.

A. Even if this is not true, Cain seems to have prospered.

B. When we look at Cain’s descendents, we continue to find sin.

C. From Cain and his wife came a son named Enoch (verses 17/18).

D. This is not the same Enoch who “walked with God.”

E. People can have the same name but be vastly different.

F. From evil Enoch eventually came a son named “Lamech”, change that.”

G. Lamech, according to v. 19, took “two wives.”

H. Here was one more swipe at God.

I. God’s will was one man one woman for life.

J. One of Cain’s descendents essentially said, “I’ll change that.”

K. He did. He took one more than God allowed.

L. If we continue to read, we find that in Cain’s line other things happened.

M. Jabal (v. 20) became very skilled in dealing with cattle.

N. Jabal became famous for his abilities in the area of music.

O. Tubalecain became a skilled worker with brass & iron.

P. These unrighteous people were prospering. Doing Great.

(1) Someone might want to ask,

(2) “Why did these unrighteous people prosper as they did?”

(3) The answer is implied in what we have read.

(4) Instead of devoting their lives to God,

(5) These people devoted their lives to money, fun, and progress.

(6) Since God did not have a prominent place in their lives,

(7) They had extra time to addict themselves to the things of this world

(8) While these sinners were off having a good time.

Q. Adam and Eve were still mindful of their dead son.

R. V. 25 - READ

S. Adam and Eve at this point were apparently doing what was right.

T. Yet, it seems like the ones being blessed were the sinners.

U. The wicked people…Those in the line of Cain…

(1) Had figured out the ways to make money.

(2) Cain’s descendents were able to make tools which…

(3) Made life fun, the tools generated wealth;

(4) The new inventions made life easier.

(5) Here was a society who had good things without God.

11 WHEN WE TAKE AN OVERALL LOOK AT THE LIFE OF CAIN AND HIS DISCENTS

SOME INTERESTING THOUGHTS BEGIN TO EMERGE.

A. First of all we see a problem man has grappled w/throughout time.

B. Good people try to live right and serve God.

C. A sincere is made to live according to God’s word.

D. As we struggle to do what is right,

E. We look across the street and see an unrighteous man.

(1) Maybe it’s the drug pusher.

(2) Perhaps it is a gang member who hurts people.

(3) We see someone who is evil and is living contrary to the ways of God.

(4) We want to say to God, “Why! “

(5) Why am I as a Christian struggling while that wicked person is prospering?”

F. Have we asked ourselves this question?

G. I have, I know that most who are Christians have as well.

H. Gen. 4 gives us an answer.

(1) If the wicked want to live without God,

(2) That permitted. God has often allowed men to take this co

(3) While many wallow in sin, God’s people may be suffering.

(4) While Cain and his descendents were off having a good time,

(5) Abel’s parents were mourning his death (v.25)

(6) When the events were taking place….

(7) It must have seemed like Cain was winning.

(8) The unrighteous people were coming out on top.

(9) The ones who rejected God were the true winners.

(10) Although this may be how things appeared,

(11) Listen to verses 25-26- READ

(12) God had not forgotten Adam and Eve.

I. Through the first couple lost a son and suffered great pain,

J. God had something good in store for them.

K. Not only would these two be blessed with another son,

L. This son would be righteous.

M. He would begin a new line so people would “call upon the name of God.

N. The next time we think we are being left out and the wicked are prospering.

O. Look back to Gen. 4.

P. The wicked are eventually punished.

Q. Gods people are ultimately blessed. It works every time.

R. A second point from Gen. 4

(1) From ancient times,

(2) Men have perverted the marriage laws of God.

(3) Lamech decided that he would take two wives.

(4) In our time, some men want more than 2 wives.

(5) In this country and abroad, men have multiple wives.

(6) Just recently I read about one such man.

(7) Brigham Young Allred is 8b years old. Lives in Utah.

(8) He has 8 wives ranging in age from 68 to 97.

(9) Some estimate that is the state of Utah,

(10) There are some 50,000 people involved in polygamy.

(11) The book of Genesis is till relevant.

(12) When we think about people twisting Gods laws about the family,

(13) We must realize that some have tried to alter God’s laws about home.

(14) Even the words “Marriage and family” are being re-defined.

(18) Most of us have heard of Microsoft.

(19) One official with Microsoft (Dean Katz) has said:

(20) “M. feels it should not treat gay and lesbian employees any differently

(21) Because they cannot obtain a legal sanction.

(22) Of their partnership, it is the company’s view that their…

(23) Commitment to their partnership, it is the company’s view that their,

(24) In a contemporary (marriage) relationship. AFA, 2/2000.

(25) What the Bible calls sin and condemns,

(26) A large company calls a “relationship” and a “partnership.”

S. God has some simple rules about marriage:

(1) One man and one woman for life. They cleave to each other

(2) If death occurs, the living spouse may marry someone else.

(3) The only reason for a divorce & another marriage is fornication

(4) Gen. 4 tells us that men will tamper with this plan.

(5) Some brazenly reject God’s will in this area.

(6) Others attempt to argue that we have misunderstood God’s plan.

(7) This occurs even in this very area.

(8) The one-woman one-man concept is very plain.

T. As I reflect on Gen. 4 I am reminded of an old star-trek episode.

(1) If you were not a fan of Captain Kirk, please bear with me.

(2) In one episode the starship enterprise went back in time.

(3) Captain Kirk’s ship was picked up by Air Force radar.

(4) Air Force fighters were dispatched to intercept the starship.

(5) One the fighter pilots was transported to the enterprise.

(6) This created a problem for those who were from the future.

(7) Sending the pilot back to earth with what he now knew was impossible.

(8) It seemed best to keep the pilot on board the enterprise.

(9) Mr. Spock, of course, checked the computer banks.

(10) He said that the pilot had made no significant contribution

(11) If this man just disappeared, history will not be affected.

\ (12) Some more checking caused Mr. Spock to amend his report.

(13) While the pilot made no significant contribution to his world

(14) History recorded that this pilot and his wife had a son.

(15) In the future a son would be born to this pilot.

(16) This son would change world history.

(17) Thus, the pilot somehow to be returned so history could occur.

U. I have often been mindful of the fact that…

V. Teresa or I may never make a significant difference in our world.

(1) Our daughter might.

(2) Or, if she has children, they might.

(3) Each adult here may never significantly affect our world.

(4) Your son or your daughter might.

W. Look at the lives of Cain and Able.

(1) Cain started a line which became the Canaanites.

(2) These people were so wicked they were worthy of exterminate.

(3) To replace Able, another son was given.

(4) This son started a line of people who “called upon the name of the Lord.

(5) We must always remember that one child can change the world.

(6) If this child is our son or daughter, or someone we know,

(7) The values and the faith that we help them build….

(8) Will help that special child change the world for God.

(9) From what I understand Mr. Gorbachev was taught Christians values.

(10) He was one of those “special Children.”

(11) The religious teaching he received helped…

(12) End years of communism.

CONCLUSION:

1. We have three great lessons from the life of Cain.

2. I close by reminding us of lesson #1.

3. In the end God’s people are always winners.

4. The next time you look across and see a wicked person prospering,

5. Come back to Gen. 4 and read what has been recorded.

6. Remind yourself that the wicked can only prosper for a short time.

7 The path called Christianity is the one that leads to the best life.

8. Are we on that path?