Cain's Concern - Genesis 4:13-14

Genesis 4:13-14 OSB

Then Cain said to the Lord, “My guilt is too great to be forgiven! Surely You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground; I shall be hidden from Your face; I shall be groaning and trembling on the earth. Then it will happen if anyone finds me, he will kill me.”

Cain is worried about how he is affected by his action. He's more concerned with his fate than the murder of his brother or his offense against God. The focus on self is evident, but God responds with mercy.  This mercy is lost on Cain as he departs from the presence of God, enters and joins the fallen world. There he will continue in his own way. 

What You Bring - Genesis 4:3-5

Genesis 4:3-5 ESV

In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.

No specific reason is given for why Cain's offering was rejected, but the different offerings may provide insight on the matter. 

Cain's offering was from his labor in the earth, a work from his own hands, while Able brought his offering from the bounty provided by The Lord.  The blood of the firstborn of the flock was spilled before The Lord, foreshadowing the sacrifice of Christ that would reconcile God and man. 

Cain's anger points us toward a prideful individual who chooses his own way. The serpent whispered in Cain's ear and every ear since then. Many have been drawn away from the tree of life. 

There is a right way to approach The Lord.  Be careful how you come. 

Conceived - Genesis 4:1

Genesis 4:1 NASB 

 Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have gotten a manchild with the help of the Lord.”

The Hebrew word here translated as 'gotten' is (קנה qanah;) which can be translated as acquired, or purchased. 

The Septuagint uses the Greek word (εκτησαμην) which means to obtain, or acquire. 

This might remind us and signal the coming redemption of man through the ransom paid on our behalf by Christ. With the help of The Lord, we are given spiritual birth and find life. In doing so, we travel from the seed of mankind to sons of God. 

The Lord has conceived and done this thing. We are in the Garden and it is before us.  

Why? - John 3:16

John 3:16 ESV 

 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Why are we here and what is the purpose for the universe and existence?

To love and be loved. 

What Likeness? - Isaiah 40:18

Isaiah 40:18 OSB

To whom then will you liken the Lord, and to what likeness will you compare Him?

We are made in His image. The original is beyond our comprehension. Our image points us to God and is compatible with His fellowship. There is nothing in nature or creation that compares to the one outside creation. He is the Creator. 

For us to craft anything to represent God is to reject the infinite God, the I AM!

The Issue

Believing God has always been the issue, the problem, and solution. 

It Shall Be Done - Matthew 18:19-20

Matthew 18:19-20  NASB

“Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”

The key to understanding this passage is the presence of Jesus. He is in their midst and lives. Where the body of Christ gathers, He is present. 

As we gather in the one Spirit we are guided by the one mind of Jesus. There we become one in our plurality. We agree in His name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. His will shall be done. 

Surpasses All Understanding - Philippians 4:6-7

Philippians 4:6-7 OSB

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Our peace is beyond understanding because God is beyond our understanding.  The purest experience of God is possible when we are still. 

God Translated Him - Genesis 5:24

Genesis 5:24 OSB

Thus Enoch was well- pleasing to God, and was not found, for God translated him.

Faith in Him pleases God. God removes and translates Enoch prior to the coming flood. In Revelation, the church at Philadelphia is promised they will not have to endure the great tribulation. Enoch did not have to endure the flood. 

There is a great tribulation to come before the revealing of a new creation. Putting your faith in Jesus will keep you from harm and guarantee eternal life. 

Come. 

Forever - Genesis 13:14-18

Genesis 13:14-18 NETS

And God said to Abram after Lot had separated from him, "Look up with your eyes; look from the place where you are now, toward the north and southwest and east and sea. For all the land that you see, I will give it to you and to your offspring forever. And I will make your offspring like the sand of the earth; if anyone can count the sand of the earth, your offspring also shall be counted. Rise up, pass through the land, both in the length of it and in the breadth, for I will give it to you." And moving his tent, Abram came and settled by the oak of Mambre, which was in Chebron, and there he built an altar to the Lord.

The only land given to a people forever by God Almighty. 

The world does not accept this and works tirelessly to rid itself of these people. It is the snake in the Garden possessed by the Devil which slithers in the darkness that opposes God.  The days of the snake and the Dragon are numbered. 

Come Jesus come. 

My Renewal - Job 14:14-17

Job 14:14-17

If a man dies, shall he live again?

All the days of my service I would wait,

till my renewal should come.

 You would call, and I would answer you;

you would long for the work of your hands.

 For then you would number my steps;

you would not keep watch over my sin;

 my transgression would be sealed up in a bag,

and you would cover over my iniquity.

The Hebrew word translated here as "service" implies an endeavor in the company of an army or host.  Our time of life on earth is shared by all those who have appeared since man began, over the ages and over the globe. Job speaks of those who place their hope in Christ.  Christ will return with a mighty and heavenly host to join with those of us that remain. 

The renewal is the change that comes with the birth of a new creature from above. We answer the call and our sins are remembered no more. We are washed clean in the sight of God and our iniquities covered when we enter the body of Christ. We will complete our renewal when we receive our new bodies. 

He leads us to green pastures and the water of life.  

That Journey - Exodus 33::7

Exodus 33:7 OSB

 Moses then took his tent and pitched it outside the camp, far from the camp, and called it the tabernacle of testimony. Thus it came to pass that everyone who sought the Lord went out to the tabernacle of testimony, which was outside the camp.

Before God dwelled with the Israelites, but He came to meet them before He would make His home in their midst. Everyone who sought The Lord left the camp to seek Him. This could symbolize the need to repent before receiving the word. 

One must make that journey before meeting with The Lord. 

Begun To Make - Genesis 2:1-3

Genesis 2:1-3 NETS (Septuagint )

And the heaven and the earth were finished, and all their arrangement. And on the sixth day God finished his works that he had made, and he left off on the seventh day from all his works that he had made. And God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it he left off from all his works that God had begun to make.

In the Greek translation of the OT we see different wording which implies that God's work was not done in the seven days of creation. The beginning was only the beginning. The end is yet to come. 

Jesus would say later that He and His Father are working even now. 

There is still work to be done before the new creation is fully accomplished. 

In The New World - Matthew 19:27-30

Matthew 19:27-30 ESV 

Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

The apostles are told they will judge the tribes of Israel when Jesus returns to sit on the throne of David.  Jesus sits on the throne of God in heaven at this moment. When He returns He will sit on David's throne.  Heaven and earth will be joined together, never to part.  The new thing will be accomplished. 

Jesus speaks of two things that will come to everyone who follows after Him.  One is the reward received for good deeds that come from following His commands. We are clothed in the fabric of our obedience.  The second is different from rewards for righteous actions.  It is a gift and cannot be earned.  Thus we inherit eternal life from the loving kindness of Jesus.  Our robes are washed in His blood and enable us to live a pre-destined life that is offered to all. 

And it will be good!

Who Can Be Saved? - Matthew 19:21-25

Matthew 19:21-25

Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”

Jesus is saying perfection is only possible when one trades who they are for Christ, to live for Him rather than self. Having much in the world makes it difficult to see one's poverty and to see the treasure of heaven. 

With men this is impossible.  With God all things are possible. Through Jesus, all can find salvation.