4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an {c} offering unto the LORD.(c) This declares that the father instructed his children in the knowledge of God, and also how God gave them sacrifices to signify their salvation, though they were destitute of the ordinance of the tree of life. read more
CAIN AND ABEL Adam and Eve, having acquired a sinful nature, could only communicate the same nature to their children. Their firstborn was named Cain, which means "smith" or "fabricator," one who plans and fashions things in a pleasing way. Their second child's name, Abel, means "transitory". Their names indicate something of what their history proved. Cain depended on his own ability, while Abel depended on the Lord, having his earthly life only transitory, though still speaking after his... read more
THE STREAM OF HUMANITY DIVIDED TWO KINDS OF WORSHIPPERS (Genesis 4:1-8 ) What were the occupations of these brothers? What does the name of God in (Genesis 4:3 bring to mind from our second lesson? We are not told how God showed respect for Abel’s offering and disrespect for Cain’s, but possibly, as on later occasions, fire may have come out from before the Lord (i.e., in this case from between the cherubim) to consume the one in token of its acceptance. A more important question is why... read more
Early Family Life Gen 4:2 This chapter begins the family register of the world, and begins it, in truth, very awkwardly. Eve said that she had gotten a man from the Lord, but the man soon showed that the contrary supposition would have been sustained by a higher probability, for it would seem from Cain's spirit and conduct that the Lord had next to nothing to do with him. He took quietly, however, to his father's trade, and the three of them lived a dull, narrow life in some place now... read more
And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And if, by the name of Abel, which signifies vanity, Our first mother meant, that his birth was of little consequence, now she had gotten Cain; how strikingly was that Scripture fulfilled! Isaiah 55:8 . read more
And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: Proverbs 15:8 ; Psalms 11:7 . See, also, particularly, Hebrews 11:4 , which, at once, proves that Abel knew under what character the promised Seed should come; and, therefore, by faith in that redemption, he brought his offering. Sweet and precious testimony to the truth as it is in Jesus! read more
1-7 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... read more
The Offerings of Cain and Abel v. 1. And Adam knew Eve, his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord. In the order of natural procreation, according to the blessing which the Lord had pronounced upon the man and his wife, Eve gave birth to a son, whom she named Cain (possession). The reason for giving her first-born son this name is shown in her joyful exclamation: I have gotten a man, Jehovah (which is the exact translation). The first Messianic... read more
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Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 4:1-26
CHAPTER 4 After the Fall and the Two Seeds 1. Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-2 ) 2. Their offerings (Genesis 4:3-5 ) 3. The divine remonstrance (Genesis 4:6-7 ) 4. Abel slain by his brother (Genesis 4:8 ) 5. Cain’s judgment (Genesis 4:9-16 ) 6. Cain and his offspring and the progress of the world (Genesis 4:17-24 ) 7. Seth in place of Abel (Genesis 4:25-26 ) This chapter is filled with many lessons. Here are types of the Seed of the Woman, Christ. Christ as the Good Shepherd, the... read more