Two Brothers

Why is Abel mentioned first in Genesis 4:2, to be followed then by Cain? What is the hidden treasure? I’m not certain, but I’m immediately but in mind of anther set of brothers soon to follow: Jacob and Essau. Though Essau was ‘the oldest’ by minutes, most often his name is preceded by Jacob’s. Born of the same seed, their natures differed. Essau sold his birthright for a pot of stew. Not just his temporal inheritance, but the spiritual birthright, as well. Genesis 25 tells us that Esau despised his birthright.

Are we already seeing this played out here, right beyond Eden’s gates? Hebrews 11:4 may shed some light, keeping the truth in mind that while man looks on the outward appearance, God looks on the heart.

… by faith Abel offered unto God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous …

There was something very different about these two presentations to God. Only here in Genesis 4 is the word translated ‘offering.’ Every other time it’s used in Genesis it takes on the connotation of ‘gift’ or ‘present.’ But here, in Genesis 4, something was at work.

It puts me in mind of God’s heart revealed in Romans 12:1-2.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Two brothers, residents of the same physical world, but hearts in two different realms, came before Jehovah, the Self-existent One, offering Him the gift of self. Abel’s offering representing a faith sacrifice … a humble acceptance and recognition of his need for God’s covering of grace and forgiveness. A placing of himself into God’s hands.

… apart from shedding of blood there is no remission … (Heb. 9:22)

Cain’s ‘offering’ of self feels different, somehow. It carries pride’s voice. Look what my hands have wrought. I give You the best of what I can do. Accept now what I did by myself. I hear no humility, no confession of need; but rather the voice of self-sufficiency.

I don’t sense this family was a stranger to God’s voice, nor a stranger to a system of offerings already ordained. Cain’s own words when God confronts him after Abel’s murder signify he was accustomed to God’s presence.

From Your face shall I be hid (absent).

God never indicated any such thing. Nor did God banish Cain. God simply told him that the fruits of the earth would no longer yield themselves readily and richly to his hands. Cain would need to gathering where he found it.

Genesis 4:16 reveals the truest picture of Cain’s heart in the matter of spiritual things:

And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD.

So different from his parents.

Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground
from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man … (Genesis 3:23-24)

Cain chose to leave the place of God’s presence, the place and attitude of worship.
He chose to severe himself from not only his family, but from any all ‘fear of God.”

Two world orders, firmly established, right outside the gates of Eden ... how God must have grieved.

So much more to say ... but time escapes me.





[birthright = a favored covenant-relationship with Yaweh; function as priest of family]