Cain Ducks Responsibility

God Created the World

God Created the Family

Genesis 4:3-12 The Message 

3-5 Time passed. Cain brought an offering to God from the produce of his farm. Abel also brought an offering, but from the firstborn animals of his herd, choice cuts of meat. God liked Abel and his offering, but Cain and his offering didn’t get his approval. Cain lost his temper and went into a sulk.
6-7 God spoke to Cain: “Why this tantrum? Why the sulking? If you do well, won’t you be accepted? And if you don’t do well, sin is lying in wait for you, ready to pounce; it’s out to get you, you’ve got to master it.”
8 Cain had words with his brother. They were out in the field; Cain came at Abel his brother and killed him.
9 God said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?”
He said, “How should I know? Am I his babysitter?”
10-12 God said, “What have you done! The voice of your brother’s blood is calling to me from the ground. From now on you’ll get nothing but curses from this ground; you’ll be driven from this ground that has opened its arms to receive the blood of your murdered brother. You’ll farm this ground, but it will no longer give you its best. You’ll be a homeless wanderer on Earth.”

For Reflection

Cain fulfilled the minimal expectations of God.  He acted in form but not in substance.  His commitment to anything but himself was minimum. Cain has shown us the face of idolatry. He placed his concern for himself above all else. Self-aggrandizement was his God. Cain worshiped only himself. As a result, Cain will find himself alone and suffer the natural outcome of his action. Cain's soul was empty and he will attract only other empty souls who will give him no security and no comfort. 

Pray

Pray for the Cains of this world.  Pray that they will fill their emptiness with the grace of God.  Pray for the suffering world of Cains.

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