A STUDY IN GENESIS

We now enter a time in human history called the Antediluvian period. The Antediluvian (alternatively pre-diluvian or pre-flood) period is the time period from Adam and Eve’s fall to the flood. We will discuss more on this age of human history next week. For now, we want to emphasize two aspects of the Antediluvian age. First, nature is closely connected and in fellowship with humans, the fear of man has not entered their hearts. This will happen post Antediluvian age Genesis 9:2 “The fear of you and the terror of you will be on every beast of the earth and on every bird of the sky; with everything that creeps on the ground, and all the fish of the sea, into your hand they are given.” Second, the Jewish people are not here yet. Abram is not called yet to be the father of many nations, Isaiah has not willing followed the Lord, and Jacob does not have his 12 sons orchestrating the twelve tribes of Israel.

Unfortunately, what we do have starting at the very beginning, is man’s attempt at pacifying God. Religion emerged its ugly head and like all religion, death is the only thing that comes from it. You see, in Christ religion has no place. In Christ there is only a relationship between us and God on the individual level. The person recognizes their sin and the need for salvation, they know only God can provide that salvation. Religion does not like this, and as history will reveal, religion persecutes the true believers in Jesus Christ.

Genesis 4:1-6 “Now Adam had sexual relations with his wife, Eve, and she became pregnant. When she gave birth to Cain, she said, “With the LORD’s help, I have produced a man!” 2 Later she gave birth to his brother and named him Abel. When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. 3 When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the LORD. 4 Abel also brought a gift--the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The LORD accepted Abel and his gift, 5 but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected. 6 “Why are you so angry?” the LORD asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected?”

Adam and Eve have children, many people assume this is their only children, however, this is not the case. Cain and Abel are the beginning of their children. Abel recognized his sin and understood that only blood could answer for his sin, Cain brought what was on the ground. We know from later on interactions of sacrifices, there will be grain offerings and other non blood related offerings to the Lord that will be accepted. Leviticus 5:11 “If you cannot afford to bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons, you may bring two quarts of choice flour for your sin offering. Since it is an offering for sin, you must not moisten it with olive oil or put any frankincense on it.” Cain’s offering is not accepted by the Lord because his heart! Both Cain and Abel had access to animals, and yet Cain decides to just pick some crops and give them to the Lord. When God tells Cain He is not happy with the sacrifice, Cain gets upset. Religion gets upset when God says, “Your actions are not good enough for my righteousness.” You see, there are many religious people who work diligent and hard to pacify God. And when this fails, what they have failed to recognize as their biggest issue comes to light, themselves. Religion does one thing very well, it identifies what truly is number one in man other than God. For Cain it was himself, verse 6 helps reveal this to us. “Why are you so angry?” the LORD asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected?” God is wanting to help Cain before it is to late, but Cain is already feeling rejected, hurt, insulted, his truth was not accepted, his opinion was not valued. Cain was in fact acting like how many today in the Church and in the world act. They are told “No you are wrong” about something and they get upset and angry. Nothing has changed in thousands of years.

Genesis 4:7-8 “You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” 8 One day Cain suggested to his brother, “Let’s go out into the fields.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him.” God attempts to talk some sense into Cain before he sins, but Cain is not having any of it. Do you see the equation of sin? First it starts with pride, Cain is upset that his religious attempts are not good enough. Then he gets upset with his brother’s acceptance, he then gets angry and murders his brother. You see, sin is perfect at casting itself as your friend, sin was there with Cain assisting in outrage, anger, and self-righteousness/pity. However, God knows the truth and sin was at the door raising to control Cain. Yet, what people hate most about God, is that He knows what they have done. He can hold them accountable even when they do not wish it. This is why Christians are hated above all. We reflect Christ, this is why the Catholics killed so many born again believers when they called out to the Lord and studied the Bible, this is why throughout history mankind has been persecuting those who follow the Messiah Jesus Christ. Christians reflect Christ, thus mankind hates us. However, that does not stop God from acting according to His good will. He holds the sinner accountable no matter what. Just look at what He does to Cain for murdering Abel.

Genesis 4:9-16 “Afterward the LORD asked Cain, “Where is your brother? Where is Abel?” “I don’t know,” Cain responded. “Am I my brother’s guardian?” 10 But the LORD said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground! 11 Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has swallowed your brother’s blood. 12 No longer will the ground yield good crops for you, no matter how hard you work! From now on you will be a homeless wanderer on the earth.” 13 Cain replied to the LORD, “My punishment is too great for me to bear! 14 You have banished me from the land and from your presence; you have made me a homeless wanderer. Anyone who finds me will kill me!” 15 The LORD replied, “No, for I will give a sevenfold punishment to anyone who kills you.” Then the LORD put a mark on Cain to warn anyone who might try to kill him. 16 So Cain left the LORD’s presence and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.”

Cain has real punishment against him, God recognized the premeditative murder of Abel. However, for Abel God has him in His grasp. Hebrews 11:4 “By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.” Even though Abel is dead, his actions speak and gives those who are born again a promise of salvation. If God can save Abel who believed that his savior would come, we can be saved knowing our savior has come. You see God has been saving mankind through the cross no matter what timeframe you are in it. For us, we have a choice to follow religion or to follow Christ. Religion leads to death. Christ leads to eternal life. The gospel has not changed since the beginning, however for many this will come as a monumental challenge. I hope you take a moment and realize just how much the Lord loves you and cherishes you. He wants what is best for you, even if that means identifying your sin and short comings so that you can come to grips that you need Christ. Next week, we will see what happens in the Antediluvian period still having sway of present day events.  Brace yourself and take time to pray and ask God to help you be ready to see His truth no matter how strange, bizarre, and unspoken at the pulpits it really is.

Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,

JL