villains: cain (wrath)
Villains: Cain (wrath) Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering— fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. 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. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:2b-9) It is the second sin recorded in the Bible. After recording the first sin, the Fall of Genesis 3, the author of Genesis recounts the story of Cain and Abel. Here the awful potential of wrath is exposed. Rather than dealing with his failings Cain pours out his anger on his righteous brother, Abel. His initial conversation with God embodies deceit and when confronted by his evil there is a selfish mourning for the personal consequences of his actions that is notably devoid of remorse. Wrath is like that. It often quietly simmers before exploding. It focuses on personal hurts and delights in recounting and reliving slights and injuries so that anger builds and the bitter taste of resentments remains fresh. This wrath, or anger, is not interested in reason or reconciliation- its desire is for others to suffer as it has suffered. Anger does not seek justice; it is a murderous desire for vengeance concerning wrongs (whether real or imagined). Incidentally, wrath always believes it is faultless and justified in its actions.
GETTING STARTED 1. Which of the Seven Deadly Sins do you see as being the most powerful? Greed Wrath Lust Gluttony Sloth Envy
Pride
2. Which of the Capital Virtues do you most need to develop? Chastity Generosity Meekness Temperance Diligence Kindness
Humility
IN THE TEXT (Genesis 4) 1. What did Eve say when Cain was born? 2. In what kind of work were Abel and Cain involved? 3. What kind of offerings did Abel and Cain offer to God? 4. How did God react to their offerings? (Note: There is no passage that records God having provided instructions for the brothers; no scripture which says the offerings were to be meat or fruit; under the OT law, offerings of meat and of fruit were both required) 5. How did Cain react to God not looking upon his offering with favor? 6. What did God tell him? 7. Why do you think Cain killed Abel? 8. Describe God’s conversation with Cain after the murder. 9. Look over Genesis 4:1-16 and make a list of the sins you believe can be detected.
10. Look at Hebrews 11:4 and 1 John 3:11-12. How is Abel described? 11. How is Cain described? 12. What was wrong with Cain’s offering? 13. What would motivate someone like Cain to kill Abel?
IN MY LIFE 1. How would you describe your family relationships? What areas do you need to work on this week? What fractured relationship can I begin to mend? 2. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The answer is: Yes! What are some specific ways you will act to express love and concern for your sisters and brothers in your physical and spiritual families? 3. What can your community group do in the weeks ahead to help us in reaching others for Christ?
GETTING STARTED 1. Which of the Seven Deadly Sins do you see as being the most powerful? Greed Wrath Lust Gluttony Sloth Envy
Pride
2. Which of the Capital Virtues do you most need to develop? Chastity Generosity Meekness Temperance Diligence Kindness
Humility
IN THE TEXT (Genesis 4) 1. What did Eve say when Cain was born? 2. In what kind of work were Abel and Cain involved? 3. What kind of offerings did Abel and Cain offer to God? 4. How did God react to their offerings? (Note: There is no passage that records God having provided instructions for the brothers; no scripture which says the offerings were to be meat or fruit; under the OT law, offerings of meat and of fruit were both required) 5. How did Cain react to God not looking upon his offering with favor? 6. What did God tell him? 7. Why do you think Cain killed Abel? 8. Describe God’s conversation with Cain after the murder. 9. Look over Genesis 4:1-16 and make a list of the sins you believe can be detected.
10. Look at Hebrews 11:4 and 1 John 3:11-12. How is Abel described? 11. How is Cain described? 12. What was wrong with Cain’s offering? 13. What would motivate someone like Cain to kill Abel?
IN MY LIFE 1. How would you describe your family relationships? What areas do you need to work on this week? What fractured relationship can I begin to mend? 2. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The answer is: Yes! What are some specific ways you will act to express love and concern for your sisters and brothers in your physical and spiritual families? 3. What can your community group do in the weeks ahead to help us in reaching others for Christ?
