Crouching Sin.

Genesis 4:1-9 states, “Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, ‘I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.’ 2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 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, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The LORD said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.’

8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. 9 Then the LORD said to Cain, ‘Where is Abel your brother?’ He said, ‘I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?’”

In this text we see the first birth to humanity: Cain. This must have been an incredible, scary and frightening occurrence for Eve. Thankfully the LORD God had already warned Eve about the pain of childbirth: “To the woman he said, ‘I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children.’ ” (Genesis 3:16) Her multiplied pain brought her a son, Cain.

We have to wonder what kind of expectations were placed on Cain? He is the very first son after the promise of the seed of the woman in Genesis 3:15. Did Eve wonder if Cain was the promised Messiah? There are some indicators in the Hebrew text which lead to that conclusion; numerous commentators and even Martin Luther in his Genesis translation lend credence to that thought as well.

Then comes Abel. He is labeled in a tone that is more ominous. The Hebrew word that corresponds to “Abel” means “breath, vanity or vapor.” This may be a foreshadowing of his short life and premature death. It could also be an indication of the disparity between Adam and Eve’s expectations of Cain versus their contemplations concerning Abel.

Then Cain brings an offering to the LORD; he goes to worship God. This passage suggests that this is a standard practice at this time in human history. Abel also brings an offering but there is a difference: Abel brings the firstborn of his flock. And the LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering: “Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell” (Genesis 4:4-5).

Now God personally steps in to turn Cain away from his anger and his sin. “The LORD said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.’ ” (Genesis 4:6-7).

God is warning Cain and each of us about the terminal danger of sin. Sin creeps and kills, it destroys and maims, it mutilates any potential we have in life. This is why God words it in this way: “Its desire is contrary to you.” Cain has potential but sin will destroy that potential; sin is contrary to the person.

The challenge that we have with sin is that it crouches. Sin looks so small. It is a predator that is barely seen and seems insignificant. But sin is surprisingly dangerous and deadly.

God’s strong encouragement is for Cain to master this sin; he must rule over it. He must say no to this sin. This is easier said than done. Often we don’t realize the pain and hurt that sin produces until the words are out of our mouths. It’s the ache that comes flooding in as our misdeeds create another ruined experience.

Here is where the hurting sinner (you and I) can offer a prayer, a plea, asking that historical events like Cain’s would make such an impact on us that we both see the crouching nature of sin and master it. Our real help comes from the LORD, the maker of Heaven and earth.

Lord God Almighty,

Help us each day to see the crouching sins in our life and with your help, master them. We cannot do this on our own.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.