We all know very well about Cain and Abel. They both brought their offerings to the Lord.
The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. – Genesis 4:4-5
Was Cain wrong or the Lord?
Is it lord who didn’t accept the offering or Cain who didn’t offer the perfect thing?
Lord did not like the offering of Cain why because.... basically two reasons can be safely assumed as the cause of Gods displeasure: one, the attitude of mind that Cain had with his offerings, the other, the quality of the offerings.
So, it is clear that mistake is Cain’s.. Right... ?
Ok then, who should be angry? Cain or the Lord?
But it was written that,
And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. - Genesis 4:5
How do we react, if someone hurts us, betrays us, or breaks our heart..? and if it’s completely their fault. What do we do? Will we go and speak to the one who committed mistake…!!!
Obviously, the answer is... No, we won’t... Right....?
We think we are superior and will be reluctant with the one who did the mistake but our gracious heavenly Lord is not like us. All his qualities are amazing and those show us the way, truth and life.
Though the mistake is purely Cain’s, our Lord went to Cain while he was sitting sad… just to comfort him, guide and correct him with his amazing love. And spoke to him with his lovely voice.
And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. - Gen 4:6-7
Through this incident, we have to clearly notice that if someone hurts us or plays with our feelings, we have to forgive them first, speak to them though we are not wrong.
So, as per God’s such precious words, what actually Cain has to do then?
He has to obey and act accordingly to the words of Lord. But he didn’t and in reverse, with his dis-obedience he did another mistake. Felt jealous about his brother and killed him. A great sin…
And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. - Gen 4:8
When God asked him about his brother Cain, with utter recklessness to the call of God replied.
And he said I know not: Am I my brothers keeper? - Gen 4:9
See how Satan closed his eyes, so a great curse came upon him.
And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brothers blood from thy hand; When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. - Gen 4:11-12
How Tragic the situation changed into…
Satan tries to tempt us at all times as the world belongs to Him.
David when displeased GOD, God sent the prophet Nathan to confront David with his sins of adultery and murder. David truly repented of his sins and confessed them to God. And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; And I gave thee thy masters house, and thy masters wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? Thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. - 2 Samuel 12:7-9
The first son of first man - Cain and first King of Israel – Saul has devotion on God but they are not God-fearing. Saul did the same like Cain, when Samuel asked about his mistake. He in reverse tried to speak something else which is not in the lords will... Saul wanted to force GOD to do his will just like Bilam tried.
Unlike these people, David responded in the other way. Although he was king, he nonetheless was chastened by God.
He has devotion on God as well as God’s fear.
So David said to Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. – 2 Sam 12:13
These accepting words, and the heart they reflect, show the fundamental difference between David and Saul. Confession doesnt need to be long to be real and sincere. The greatest griefs are not always the most verbal. Saul confessed his sin more largely, but less effectually.
So, when GOD directs us, we’ve to correct ourselves like David. Instead, if we reject and move in a reverse direction... Situations turn worse. Just like in Cain and Saul case. We can clearly see how they both deviated from the lords will.
Just like David, we all should have devotion on GOD as well as God’s fear.
Even when Cain was wrong Lord went and spoke to him, showing his humble nature though he is the mightiest. So in the same manner we have to be humble natured. As we are HIS children we have to develop his qualities. We have to transform all our qualities by works and not just by words…
Among all those heavenly qualities, forgiving and forgetting is an amazing quality our lord has.
Forgiveness diffuses anger. Forgiveness strengthens our character. Forgiveness holds tremendous healing power and soul. When you forgive, you let go of anger resentment and blame.
Let’s forsake our anger and be with GOD all the time.