Doing What is Right: Genesis 4:1-8

In Genesis 4 Cain and Abel are both presented as productive members of God’s creation.  Respectively working as a farmer and a shepherd, both men are duly fulfilling the God given command to “fill the earth and subdue it” (Gen. 1:28).  What is more, both of them choose to worship God by bringing a portion of their labors as an offering to the Lord.  Their acts of worship are particularly telling because to this point God has never commanded acts of sacrifice and worship.  They worship God not out of duty or obligation, but out of a natural response of gratitude for what God has given them. 

And yet, for someone reason God looks upon Abel’s offering with favor, and does not look with favor upon Cain’s.  Why?  What would cause God to respond so differently to these two offerings?

It has often been said that Cain’s offering was inferior to Abel’s.  While Cain brought “some fruit of the soil,” Abel brought “fat portions from some of the firstborn of the flock.”  Abel takes from the best of his flock and offers it to God, while Cain just takes some of his produce (not necessarily his best).  God’s favor goes to Abel because Abel’s offering is more reflective of a faithful sacrifice to God.

While that may sufficiently explain Cain’s lack of favor, I wonder if there is there something deeper happening in this passage.  For a farmer like Cain God’s favor would look like perfect amounts of rain and sun leading to an abundance of crops.  A season of drought and famine would cause a farmer like Cain to doubt God’s favor. 

What if, after dutifully working the land and making his offering to God, a drought overtook Cain’s farm, while Abel’s flocks continued to multiply?  That would almost certainly lead Cain to conclude that God was showing favor to Abel and none to him.  How many of us have looked at the success of others in the midst of our own troubles and wondered, “God, why do they have such success while I continue to struggle?”

With his face downcast, and his heart feeling dejected, Cain becomes angry with God.  But God isn't angry with Cain.  As a matter of fact, God is concerned about Cain.  God says to him, “Why are you angry?  Why is your soul downcast?” (Genesis 4:6).  While Cain believes that he has lost God’s favor, God hasn't come to that conclusion.  “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?” (Genesis 4:7).

In the midst of his troubles and anger God calls on Cain to “do what is right” – to continue to live according to God’s design.  The reality of sin, introduced to world in Genesis 3, means that in life there will be trials and struggles.  Droughts, famines, and misfortune can come even to someone who works hard and tries to please God.  In the midst of such troubles, God’s call is to do what is right.  Even when the days are hard, God’s call is to continue to live faithfully and to worship God. 

Unfortunately Cain chose differently.  Rather than remaining faithful to God in the midst of his struggles, he chose to take the life of his brother, in an act of jealousy, rage, and anger.  It’s a sad story about the challenges of navigating a world broken by the effects of sin.

How do you respond to trials and struggles in your life?  Do you assume that God is causing trouble to come your way?  Do you blame God for your problems?  The reality is that all of us will experience troubles in this life.  While they may not come to us in equal measure, we will all have days when nothing seems to go our way.  That’s the consequence of living in a sinful world. 

The challenge Genesis 4 lays before us is, “can we continue to do what is right and be faithful to God, even in the midst of our troubles?”  For our troubles are not, in fact, a sign that God has rejected us, but they are moments that test our faith.  It’s easy to have faith when the days are good, but it’s difficult when the days are hard.  May God give us a strong faith, that we might persevere in doing what is right, even in our troubles.