Genesis 4: Cain and Abel: The Seed of Sin

Genesis 4: The First Murder

Adam and Eve had two sons. The first son was named Cain, and the second son was named Abel. Cain became a farmer who worked the land. Abel became a shepherd who took care of sheep.

Both brothers brought offerings to God. Cain brought some of the fruits from his farm. Abel brought the best parts of his sheep. God accepted Abel’s offering, but He did not accept Cain’s offering. God was pleased with Abel because Abel gave his best and obeyed God with a sincere heart.

Cain became very angry and jealous. His face showed how upset he was. God spoke to Cain and warned him. God told Cain that if he did what was right, he would be accepted. God also warned Cain that sin was like something waiting to take control of him, and he needed to choose to do what was right.

Instead of listening to God, Cain became more angry. One day, Cain asked Abel to go into the field with him. While they were there, Cain attacked Abel and killed him. This was the first time one person killed another person in the Bible.

God asked Cain where his brother Abel was. Cain answered with a rude question and said he did not know. God already knew what Cain had done. God told Cain that Abel’s blood cried out from the ground, showing that God sees every wrong action.

God punished Cain by making him a restless wanderer. The ground would no longer produce crops for him. Cain was afraid that others would kill him, but God showed mercy. God put a mark on Cain to protect him so no one would harm him.

Cain then left and lived in another land. The chapter later tells us that Adam and Eve had another son named Seth. God gave Seth to replace Abel. From Seth’s family came people who began to call on the name of the Lord.

Genesis 4 teaches us that jealousy and anger can lead to terrible choices. It also teaches us that God warns us before we sin and still shows mercy even when we do wrong.