UNROLL
An open field at dusk under a heavy, still sky: a small flock far off on the left, a strip of tilled earth on the right.

The Book of

Genesis 4

Two brothers bring offerings. One is accepted. The other grows angry, and sin is waiting at his door.

26 verses≈ 5 min5 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

  1. 1–11BeginningsCreation, fall, flood, BabelChapter 4
  2. 12–24AbrahamThe call and the promise
  3. 25–36Isaac and JacobThe promise passed on
  4. 37–50JosephGod meant it for good

Cain and Abel

And Adam had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain. “With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man,” she said.

Later she gave birth to Cain’s brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, while Cain was a tiller of the soil.

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“Why are you angry,” said the LORD to Cain, “and why has your countenance fallen?

If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it.”

Genesis 4:7

Pray

Master it

God came to Cain before he sinned, with a question and a warning: “sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it.” Name the anger, envy or desire that is crouching at your own door today. Ask God to help you turn from it before it turns into action, and thank Him that in Christ sin is no longer your master.

Then Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.

God

And the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”

Cain

“I do not know!” he answered. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

God
God

“What have you done?” replied the LORD. “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.

Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you till the ground, it will no longer yield its produce to you. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.”

Cain

But Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, this day You have driven me from the face of the earth, and from Your face I will be hidden; I will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”

God

“Not so!” replied the LORD. “If anyone slays Cain, then Cain will be avenged sevenfold.”

A lone man seen from behind walking east into dry, empty country at dusk, a bundle on his shoulder, his long shadow ahead of him.

And the LORD placed a mark on Cain, so that no one who found him would kill him.

So Cain went out from the presence of the LORD and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

0:20

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Question

Quick question

After the field, the LORD comes to Cain with a question.

What did Cain answer when the LORD asked, “Where is your brother Abel?”

The Descendants of Cain

Family line

From Cain to Lamech

  1. Built a city

    And Cain had relations with his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to Enoch. Then Cain built a city and named it after his son Enoch.

  2. EnochIradMehujaelMethusaelLamech

    Now to Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael was the father of Methusael, and Methusael was the father of Lamech.

Family line

Lamech’s household

  1. Married Adah and Zillah

    And Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah.

  2. Jabal

    Tents and livestock

    Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and raise livestock.

  3. Jubal

    Harp and flute

    And his brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play the harp and flute.

  4. Tubal-cain

    Bronze and iron

    And Zillah gave birth to Tubal-cain, a forger of every implement of bronze and iron.

  5. Naamah

    Sister of Tubal-cain

    And the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.

Then Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, listen to my speech. For I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me. If Cain is avenged sevenfold, then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”

Genesis 4:23–24

Seth and Enosh

Eve
Eve

And Adam again had relations with his wife, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, “God has granted me another seed in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.”

And to Seth also a son was born, and he called him Enosh.

At that time men began to call upon the name of the LORD.

Genesis 4:26

Reflect

Which line?

Genesis 4 sets two families side by side. Cain’s line builds a city, makes music, forges tools, and ends with a man boasting of revenge. Seth’s line is given no city, no songs and no tools, only this: “At that time men began to call upon the name of the LORD.” Which line does your life look more like right now? Write down one way you could call on His name this week.

Two lines

CainKilled his brotherAbelA cityNamed after his sonEnochLamechSeventy-sevenfoldrevengeSethAnother seed for EveEnoshSeth’s sonCalling on theLORDThe line of promise

Whiteboard

Two families grow from Adam and Eve. Cain’s line builds a city, makes music and tools, and ends in Lamech’s song of revenge. Seth’s line is small, but “At that time men began to call upon the name of the LORD.” Chapter 5 follows Seth’s line.

You’ve experienced

Genesis 4

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A verse to carry with you

If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it.

Genesis 4:7

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