I Have Gotten a Man – Genesis 4:1-7

The first recorded births in God’s new world are mentioned in this chapter of Genesis.  Yahweh promised that childbirth would be attended with great pain, but that each child born had the potential of being the offspring who was instrumental in defeating the serpent.  And each child does have that potential, for there are countless ways in which the Serpent desires to destroy God’s people and countless ways God’s people can overcome him.  The ultimate Seed of the Woman was Christ, of course, and we are still fighting from his victory of Satan, awaiting the final battle when he returns to rule the Earth.

1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.” 2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” (Genesis 4:1–7, ESV)

The normal Biblical expression for sexual intercourse is “knowing,” the most intimate way of knowing someone.  It is a beautiful way of expressing it.  And Eve is certainly thinking of the promise of Genesis 3:15 and the offspring who will strike the serpent’s head as she gives birth to Cain “with the help of Yahweh.”  She has another son, Abel.  Though both are her children by Adam, we will discover that one could also be considered, a la Genesis 3:15, as the offspring of the serpent.

There is a division of labor evident in the two sons of Adam, Cain being a “worker of the ground” growing food crops, Abel raising sheep.  This seems to determine the kinds of offering each son brings to Yahweh, a practice we’ve not been told of up to this point, but that is taken for granted.  You show your gratitude for Yahweh’s provision with an offering.  But has Cain brought the wrong kind of offering?  Probably not.  Both kinds of offerings are later, in Leviticus, described and proscribed.  What must really be Yahweh’s concern is the attitude of each bringer of the offering.  He does not accept Cain’s offering because of Cain’s heart.

Instead of repenting, Cain gets angry at the rejection.  Yahweh personally and graciously challenges Cain and warns him that sin desires to rule him, even devour him, certainly not to benefit him, so Cain must gain mastery over his sin.  Though it is not specified, it seems Yahweh continues to visit with His children, probably in the form of a man, like he did with Adam and Eve in the garden.  There is still that immediate intimacy that we wish we had with Him.

What sin is God asking us to master?