As we move into Chapter 4, I wish to ask something of you all. Have you even faced a person that has used this chapter to try and say HaShem is not just? If they know the Word, this can well be done, when they are talking to someone that is not ready to face this kind of question. I wish to use this chapter to teach both sides of this, as it does come up, and has divided at lest one church here in town. There will be more teachings in this one chapter as well. So let get started.
This chapter opens with the birth of Cain and Able. At first glance some may say he was born after the expulsion from the garden. As the Word does not tell us the answer to that all one can do is think for them selves. As the answer holds no barring on Salvation, or any of the works of HaShem that follow, is there really reason to have an answer? If there is, then would not HaShem have told us?
When the sacrifice made in this chapter,( is where we find that some point to and say HaShem is not just),we see that Cains was rejected. Abel's on the other hand was not. At lest once this has been used to show that HaShem is not just, in that He rejected Cain's offering, when their was no ruling in place as to what was, and was not acceptable.
Some think this is the offering for Yom-Kippur. Yet Lev.chapter 4, does not indicate this. As Able would have brought the wrong offering as well.
Yet when one looks at a peace offering, we find that Able did bring the right offering for this, as seen in Lev. chapter 3. Cain on the other hand didn't. Although their are other forms of offerings that can be seen to fit both offerings. A Peace offering, and first fruits are the best fit. Yet as stated, we simply don't really know.
What we do know, is that HaShem is just, and that would lead one to search out the Word, to find why Cain's was rejected, one thing we can be sure of, HaShem didn't act out of malice. From that one must conclude that they both knew what was expected of them. Be it a mater of the heart, or bring the wrong offering. As we know, man can't judge matters of the heart, that is only in the hands of HaShem. Yet as 6&7 hits at the idea of it being a matter of the heart, both sides of this debate, it would seem, debate a thing that can not be shown.
11-15 shows an act of mercy. HaShem did not kill Cain, and even set a mark on him that everyone would know, not to kill him. Hens we find the second act of compassion by HaShem. I have always said that I see the Torah as HaShem's profile. In that we find who he is, and by His actions in the first 5 books, we may also find what he wants from us. As He has shown mercy here, as well, would it not stand to reason this is really wants us to show one another?
Hos 6:6
For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Mar 12:33 “And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
All that is left is one thing that seems to be asked a lot, when one wishes to show the Bible is telling the whole story. Where did Cains wife come from? Most will say, that Adam and Eve had more than just 3 kids, and they would be right. Yep be ready when you hear about Lilith. Who is Lilith? Some say that the reason Adam ate the fruit was that he had one other wife before Eve, that being Lilith. They teach that Lilith also ate the fruit, and Adam didn't. So Lilith was removed from the garden, and Adam got to stay. When it came around with Eve, Adam didn't want to stay in the Garden with out his wife, so he also ate.