Genesis 4: 1-6

Genesis Chapter 4 1-6

1

¹ The man had relations with 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. Abel became a keeper of flocks, and Cain a tiller of the soil.

3

In the course of time Cain brought an offering to the LORD from the fruit of the soil,

4

while Abel, for his part, brought one of the best firstlings of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,

5

but on Cain and his offering he did not. Cain greatly resented this and was crestfallen.

6

So the LORD said to Cain: "Why are you so resentful and crestfallen?

Reflection: I love that the first child was created and born. Adam did not claim to have done this all on his own. He knew that He and His wife had given birth to a son with the help of the Lord. In our society we seam to play God so much when we really need to remember that no life is created without God the creator. He is so good to let us share in that joy. Again we have God asking what he already knows. He is prompting, trying to get the sinner, the fallen to communicate with Him. I often wonder if Cain had been completely honest with God and admitted to God and asked understanding. Would God have granted that to him to calm his heart. God wanted to give him grace, but Cain could not hear it. Just as the guilty toddler can't calm his heart enough to listen to mom promise to love no matter what, Cain could not hear what God was asking. Does God asking me these questions, "Why are you so resentful?" Dear heavenly Father, I am so sorry for being so selfish. Please help me to be thankful for every gift you give and to not harbor illness in my heart. Continue to ask, and thank you for loving me no matter what my answer is.