648. GEN 4:5, &C. HISTORY OF CAIN, AS A BEACON

Gen_4:5, &c. History of Cain, As a Beacon

"But unto Cain, and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell."’97Gen_4:5, &c.

The depravity of the human heart was soon evidenced in the life and conduct of Cain. The leprosy of sin was rapidly conveyed from our first parents to their posterity, and Cain was an awful living monument of the entrance of sin into our world. We have a desire to exhibit his history as a Beacon to warn you of his career and misery. The Bible abounds with many such, and it is for all’97but especially the young’97to observe and be admonished by the course of evil and woe which such have pursued.

Observe in reference to Cain,

I. That he was the first-born of the family of man.

Who can describe the anxiety and wonder which his birth would produce? The birth of every child is both an interesting and momentous event; but the first, how especially so! The first infant ever beheld, or that ever gazed on the light of the world. How delighted would be his parents. Adam in witnessing the first of his posterity’97and that child a son. The first heir that entered on the domain of this world. His mother was in rapturous ecstasy. She thought she had obtained the promised seed, &c. I cannot attempt to describe the impression his appearance would make! How lovely’97how promising the beginning of his career! Of noble, and we may conclude, pious parentage. The first object of parental love, care, and instruction, &c.

II. He was a worshipper of the true God. We cannot say any thing of the history of his childhood or youth. He had doubtless reached the period of manhood, when he brought his offering to the Lord. Hero was a distinct recognition of certain cardinal religious principles.

(1.) Proprietorship of God.

(2.) Bounty of God in his gifts.

(3.) Our rightful and grateful homage to the Most High.

Now all these were right. Nothing wrong in the offering, and probably not in the mode adopted. But it was evidently defective, in wanting the spirit of faith in the worshipper. No doubt religious knowledge had been imparted. The promised Messiah revealed. A reference to him as the only acceptable way to God, distinctly made known.

To this Abel had reference in his worship. See Heb_11:3. Here then was the marked distinction’97the fearful failure. And this is ever the momentous line of demarcation. In reading the Word or hearing the Gospel. In prayer, &c. "With faith," &c. So that Cain’s offering would have done for an innocent person, but was unsuited to a sinner; and therefore, God rejected the offering and the worshipper.

III. Cain was distinguished for his industrious labor.

"A tiller," &c., Gen_4:2.

Labor is honorable. Even Adam in Paradise was called to it. Gen_2:15. It is healthy. It tends to the vigor of the body, whose bones, muscles, &c., are all improved by it. It is one of the best preventions of temptation. Satan may tempt the industrious, but the idle tempt him. It is equally favorable to the mind’s elevation, and moral improvement; indolence produces effeminacy, weakness, and mental prostration, &c. It is the real wealth of a community, and the foundation of a nation’s greatness. What do the idle administer to the real welfare of a country? &c. Every man who labors is a producer, and worthy of honor, respect, and kindness.

IV. Cain was the subject of the foul and deadly passion of envy.

See 1Jn_3:12.

Envy is a passion which would not see excellency in another; or sees it with hatred and pain. This was the deadly spirit of "Cain.

God had respect to Abel and his offering, but not to Cain. His pride was wounded’97his spirit mortified’97his soul angry. Well may it be asked, who can stand before Envy? It is the spirit of deadly hate; and none can say what dire crimes it may not perpetrate. How horrid is this passion! How it eats, and corrodes, and gnaws the soul! How it darkens the mind’97inflames the passions. Like an eruption of some volcano, &c. From this you are ready to hear,

V. That Cain was a murderer.

He envied’97hated’97and then slew his brother. One of the most horrid of all murders. The first. That of a brother’97that of a younger brother,’97of a saint. How cruel and wicked! His crime was connected with lying’97recreant misanthropy, &c., Gen_4:9.

VI. Cain was an accursed vagabond. Gen_4:10, Gen_4:11.

Abhorred and execrated by men. The subject of excessive toil, Gen_4:12. The victim of inward anguish, &c., Gen_4:13. A wanderer; with a hell in his bosom, &c. The mark, we presume, was not perceivable, but a sign from God that he would fulfil his word. Hence,

VII. Cain was the subject of the divine mercy and longsuffering.

Not put to death, but allowed to live. Spared to reflect, and if it might be, repent. His final moral state is not declared. We dare not guess, &c. God was both just and merciful.

Learn,’97

1. The fearful depravity of the human heart.

2. The awful progress of sin.

3. The necessity of faith in the great sacrifice, so as to obtain the renewal of the heart, &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS