Jan 4, Genesis 4: Cain and Abel

What a great way to start off the new year - by studying the story of Cain and Abel, sin lurking at the door, the first murder. What can I say? I have the flu, so perhaps I'm delusional at the moment.

I thought of calling this study "Juicy Genesis". When we look at Genesis as adults we see all sorts of things that we weren't told about, or didn't think about, as kids. In preparing for this week's study, I notice how much is left out of the text, how much we have to infer.

Study questions for Jan 4, 2009

Genesis 4:1-16
Cain and Abel

If you have time, skim Genesis Chapters 1-3 to set the scene.

For this study, read Genesis 4:1-7, 8-12, and 13-16.

1. In verses 1-5 what do we learn about the two brothers and their offerings?

2. Is it important to know why God preferred Abel’s offering to Cain’s?

3. Would it be a better story if we knew the root cause for enmity between the brothers?

4. Why does Cain become angry? Who is he angry at? Is his anger sinful?

5. How do verses 6-8 describe God’s response to Cain and Cain’s reaction?
The Lord –
Cain’s response –

6. Cain is told that sin is crouching at the door and he must master it. What happens when we refuse to admit that we are on the wrong track?

7. What resources do we have to overcome sin?

8. Why does God not punish Cain for murder as prescribed by the law code given to the Israelites?

9. In what way is the “mark of Cain” a gift from God?

Study notes:
New Testament passages which refer to this Genesis text:
Hebrews 11:4 ; 1 John 3:12
The name Cain derives from the Hebrew qanah, meaning to get, create
The name Abel derives from the Hebrew hebel, meaning vapor, nothingness