7/12/19 

Genesis 4:9

⁹ Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?”

We do not know how soon after the sin of Adam and Eve this event occurred.  But it was long enough for both men to be born, grow to manhood, have a vocation and establish a character.

Abel was a herdsman.  He was a congenial man, willing to be agreeable with his brother in their daily fellowship.  He understood his responsibility for substitution in a blood offering and the true worship of God.  He was a trusting brother who gave and expected love from his brother.

Cain was a gardener.  He appeared to be moody and by Apostolic testimony was jealous and vindictive.  But it is his relationship with God that is so revealing.  He, again by Biblical testimony, has no sense of sin, and at the best is disrespectful toward God and at the worst blames God for his faults.  His fault, from I John, was jealousy of the favor his brother Abel had with God so he murdered him.  The charge is murder and God convicted him, passed sentence, and left him as an example.

But about Cain’s question.  He refused any responsibility for the whole of second table of the Law.  But we should expect this for he in his sacrifice had witnessed to his refusal to recognize God in his person and offices.  Refusing fidelity to God he could not be expected to love his brother as himself.

Looking at Cain we see a person without a sense of sin, without an understanding of God, without repentance, and never more than remorse for any hardship he suffered.

The drunkard wakes the morning after his party and hates his hangover but says “when will I get some more.”