Good day dear friends. I trust this finds you all warm and safe!
We continue to affirm God's presence with us even through the suffering. Here is our study guide for today:
Tuesday: In the same book as yesterday in the very next chapter, Genesis 4:1-14, we find the first suffering caused by murder, a fratercide. Thankfully, the Bible spares us the details of Eve’s response to this murder. Please read those verses and let the Spirit speak to you.
Here is that passage: Genesis 4:1 Now the man knew his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, "I have produced a man with the help of the Lord." 2 Next she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a tiller of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel for his part brought of the firstlings of his flock, their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. 6 The Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it." 8 Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let us go out to the field." And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel, and killed him. 9 Then the Lord said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" He said, "I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?" 10 And the Lord said, "What have you done? Listen; your brother's blood is crying out to me from the ground! 11 And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. 12 When you till the ground, it will no longer yield to you its strength; you will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth." 13 Cain said to the Lord, "My punishment is greater than I can bear! 14 Today you have driven me away from the soil, and I shall be hidden from your face; I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and anyone who meets me may kill me."
As with most familiar stories usually there is not much we can add. This is one of the saddest stories in the Bible. We find that after the Fall, Adam and Eve now living outside the Garden begin their new life. They are blessed with their first child, Cain, later with their second Abel. The two parents instructed them both with what they knew about God and the worship of God. I can almost guarantee they stress that God should be first in their lives and deserves our first and best. Yet, this instruction was taken by the oldest as "whatever," as some of our kids say when they don't truly believe what we have shared. The youngest took it to heart. When it came time to worship, they reflected their faith in their acts. God had favor on Abel and his willingness to put Him first, and no favor on Cain as he brought an afterthought offering. This angered Cain so much that the first murder recorded in the Bible occurs between brothers, a fratecide. What a terrible thing. Cain's decision to avenge his disfavor with God stayed with him the rest of his life. His decision led him to be separated from his parents and subsequent family for the rest of his life.
If we put God first in our lives and live our lives and make our decisions in that way, imagine the blessings that will be ours!
PRAYER: God, come into my heart and take first place. Let me be guided by You so that all my decisions will reflect Your love and peace living in me. I pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.
