Cain Talked with Abel His Brother (Genesis 4:8)

2022-10-28

And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. (Genesis 4:8)

Abel brought the sacrifice patterned after the one God did for his parents. Cain did not. Why? “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh” (Hebrews 11:4). “Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous” (1 John 3:12).

But Cain set it in his heart to do the evil. If he thought more clearly, it would not have had to be that way. “And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him” (Genesis 4:5-7). If he had done what was right and had faith in God, thinking through the consequences of his actions, he would have had a very different life.

Saul would have done better if he stopped chasing David, relied on the Lord, and thought through his actions concerning his unlawful sacrifice, the battle against the Amalekites and the witch at Endor. Josiah would have had a longer life and probably would have had better influence in the life of his children if he had not been hardened in his decision in pursuing the Egyptians.

Do not get hardened into poor decisions. The battle beings in the mind. There can be a better tomorrow. Trust God. Listen to what He says. Do what is right.