Cain, Abel and Sin Lusting After Us

Adam and Eve are out of the garden trying to eke out a living with thorns and thistles.  In Genesis 4, the infamous kids are discussed.   First we get to play with the names of the boys, Cain and Abel.  I am truly enjoying the discovery of the meaning of names.  I've heard in English that a specific name means such and such but in Hebrew, I can see why a name means such and such.

First, let's take look at Cain.

So Adam knew Eve, his wife and she conceived and she bore Cain, and she said, "I have aquired a man from the LORD."

Okay, if you look at different versions,what Eve says is translated differently:

With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man. (NIV)
I have gotten a man from the Lord. (KJV)
I have gotten a manchild with the help of the Lord. (NASB)
With the Lord’s help, I have produced a man!(NLT)

The first thing I noticed is that in my translation Eve says she acquired a man from the Lord.  The only translation listed above that says basically the same thing is the King James Version (KJV).  The rest say that Eve did the work but had the Lord's help.  Let's take a look see:

This shows the exact word for word translation.  The second word (reading from the left) is not translated.    This shows that Eve felt she got her son from the Lord.   Now, check out the word translated into "I have acquired".   Compare that to

Cain

 which is the word pronounced "Cain". Can't quite see it?  Well look a this...

which is the word for Acquire.  If you look, they are all quite similar.  The top two words start with a root which is the third word, "acquire".  That is the root word for the other two.  Eve named Cain with that name because it means acquired.

Hevel (Abel)

It's interesting because Abel is also the word for breath, vapor or vanity.  Names in the Bible had meaning so I found this interesting.  Based on the story, I would think that in Abel's case, it would relate to breath or vapor since his life was cut short.
Now, let's take a look at the difference between these men.  In verse 2 it says:

Abel was a shepherd of the flocks while Cain was a worker of the land.

Two excellent careers but something went wrong when they took their offerings to the Lord.  I've heard a lot of different theories as to why Cain's offering was rejected.  Here is the NIV version of verses 3-5:

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.

meketz

What I found interesting is that the word meketz translates to end of days.  The first two words of verse 3 are vayhe meketz which translates to And it came to pass at the end of days.

Vayhe meketz

Now, here's my take on this situation.  If you look at the quote above you will see Abel brought his offering from the firstborn of his flock while Cain brought his offering at the end of days which tells me he did it after all the other work was done.  He put God last in his life.  Perhaps this is why God didn't look on his offering with favor.  There may be another reason but throughout scripture we are told that people (including ourselves) are to bring the firstfruits to God.  Those who couldn't afford a lamb or something like that were allowed a grain offering.  That means that, as far as God is concerned, a grain offering is okay.   That tells me that the reason God didn't look with favor on Cain's offering is not what it was but when it was.  Consider that when you are praying and seeking God on what you are to do with your earnings.

Another important verse in this story is verse 7 God tells Cain:

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.

Tshookto

This word, translated in the NIV above as "is crouching" is also the word for the way a man longs for a woman.  Sin isn't waiting for us to trip across it.  It's hungry for us and is wanting to get us.  It says in I Peter 5:8 that

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Basically, God was telling Cain the same thing.  God is telling us the same thing.  We need to rule over sin.  We need to be alert and on guard for sin.  It's stalking us, lusting after us.  If we aren't careful we will wind up in a predicament like Cain did.  No, we might not kill someone but what do we do that is not part of God's will?  Gossip? Lie? Drunkeness? Sex outside of marriage?  Cheat on taxes?  Next time that urge strikes, remember that sin is lusting after you.  Don't let it get hold.

Eve... mother.... the most important job.

Did you ever wonder what Genesis 3:20 means?

Now the man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all the living.

Eve huh?  Well in the Hebrew, it reads:

וַיִּקְרָא הָאָדָם שֵׁם אִשְׁתּוֹ, חַוָּה: כִּי הִוא הָיְתָה, אֵם כָּל-חָי.

The word in red is pronounced Chavah  where the ch is kind of a clearing your throat sound.  This word is very similar to the verb for "to live'.  I often wondered how the word Eve relate to being the mother of all living.

In Hebrew the word mother is pronounced em so the idea that the word Eve means mother doesn't quite fit.  What does fit though it the part about all the living.  Chava = Eve.

If you think about it, being the mother is a pretty important job.  Up until the last few decades, the primary job for a woman was to take care of the home but also to raise and train the next generation.  It's interesting because just this last Tuesday in our women's group, our leader Janet Caldon taught on John 6 but most importantly on John 6:8-13

Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up.
“There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?”
“Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.)  Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted.  After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.”  So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.

We of course have always thought about the amazing miracle of the loaves and fishes but Janet taught on the "Power of One" and what one person can do to make a difference.  In this case, consider who packed that little boy's lunch and who was likely standing nearby when Andrew spoke of the lunch that they used.  The boy's mother.  She had an important role in this.  First she packed the lunch then took the boy to see the amazing Rabbi that everyone was talking about.

Later, in our groups we were discussing who each of us were as the "One" in someone else's life.  One women mentioned that she felt so inadequate so many times.  This made me consider how often we, as women feel like we fall short of the mark. He also tries to get stay at home mothers to feel like they are less important than those who are career women.

Stay at home moms.. your job is more important than being a CEO for a fortune 500 company.    You are guiding and shaping the lives of the next generation.  God has given you the most important job in the world.  Don't ever let the enemy tell you differently.  He is trying to make you feel that way because he knows you have such an important job.  

Oh Adam, what did you do?

Last post, was about what happened after Adam and Eve ate of the fruit.  By the way, the Hebrew word is:
This does not mean apple, it means fruit.  Some historians believe it was likely a pomegranate but of course it would be difficult to say "Look at that guy's Adam's pomegranate" so apple it is for now.

To Adam God said in verses 17-20 (He had a lot more to say to Adam):

And to Adam He said, "Because you listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten from the tree that I commanded you saying not to eat from it, cursed is the land because of you; in toil you shall eat, all the days of your life. And thorn-bushes and thistles will sprout for you and you will eat herbs of the field. With the sweat of your face, you will eat bread until you return to the land, for from it you were taken. You are from dust and to dust you shall return."

Wow, God really throws the book at him.  I find it interesting because way back in Genesis 2:15 God put Adam in the garden to "work it and preserve it" so Adam was already working but apparently it wasn't a lot of weeding of thorns and thistles.  Now that Adam messed up, he's going to be sweating and those icky weeds appear.  It's interesting because up until now, the Hebrew scripture says "the man"

That first character over there on the right side means "the".  The rest of the word is ADAM which means man. Now, in verse 17, the Hebrew is:

That first letter means "to" so it would read either "to man" or "to Adam".  Makes me think about what a parent does when they are upset.  Your full name gets called.  Likely this means absolutely nothing but it's something I noticed.

You can blame Adam for all those weeds in your garden and yard.

Thistles

Whose fault is it anyway?

Wow, it's taking me forever to get through chapter three of Genesis.  I've always enjoyed Genesis but it seems there is so much more revelation to what I'm reading since translating.  Now that Adam and Eve have done what God told them not to, what's in store and what's it mean to us?

After God calls out to Adam in verse 9, Adam responds in verse 10:

And he said, "I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked so I hid myself."

First of all, how does one hide from God?  Not gonna happen.  Second, why would Adam feel he needs to hide.  Heck, he's been walking and talking with God for who knows how long and hasn't been afraid before.  It's amazing what sin will do to us.

God replies to Adam in verse 11:

"Who told you that you were naked?  Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat?"

God didn't ASK Adam not to eat, he commanded him.  Genesis 2:17

"But from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, you may not eat from it.  On the day you eat from it you will surely die." 

Isn't it amazing how we tend to want what we are told we can't have?  Shoot, something as simple as eating healthy.  Soon as you decide, you want some decadent food item.

So what happened when God asked Adam if he ate?  Did he fess up and say "Yup God I screwed up,"?  No, he did what we all have a tendency to do; blamed someone else.  In Adam's case he blamed anyone he could in verse 12:

And the man said, "The woman you gave me, she gave to me from the tree and I ate."

It wasn't enough to blame God for the woman but the woman as well.  Oh my. So, God turns to the woman and of course, being upright she fesses up.  NO  In verse 13

So God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" and the woman said, "The serpent deceived me and I ate." 

Nobody wanted to take the blame.

Of course, each of us makes our own decisions.  We can blame all kinds of things but it is our choice alone whether we do or do not do something.  There are consequences.  Those consequences not only affect us but those around us as well.

God started with the serpent by telling him he was going to slither for the rest of his life.  He also predicted the future in verse 15:

"And hostility is set between you and the woman and between your offspring and her offspring and He will bruise your head and you will bruise His heel."

Theologically, the last part of this statement refers to Satan going after Jesus but Jesus conquering Satan.    I have a totally UNtheological question though.   We know who the woman's offspring are... all of us.   Who is the offspring of the serpent (Satan).  Hmmm?  OR is God saying that humans aren't going to like snakes... which for the most part is true (although I'm not one that dislikes them).  Ponder on that a moment.  I would love to see some comments as to what you readers think.

Next God addresses the woman.  Is God addressing everyone on in the order of who messed up?  I wonder.   Many state that the final fault is with Adam since he is the head.  Would God then have addressed Adam next?  Anyway, he tells the woman in verse 16:

And to the woman He said, "I will greatly increase your pain of your pregnancy and in pain you will shall bear children and your longing will be toward your man and he will rule over you."

There is a WHOLE lot being said in this one sentence.  First of all, have you ever watched an animal giving birth?  Not a big deal.  Most breath a little heavier but the babies just pop out.  I'm sure the women reading this wish it was that way for us humans.  Sadly, thanks to Eve, it isn't so.  Also, pain in pregnancy?  How about morning sickness, swollen ankles, back aches.  Yup, even the pregnancy which is a joy has it's downside.

The woman's longing will be toward her husband.  Many women want to be the boss.  I'm afraid I'm one of that type.  Love to be in control.  Is that the longing?  There are so many aspects to that longing.  Consider how women have lived for centuries.  Look at the Old Testament, I've always wondered how God would have women be basically nothing more than chattel.  I mean, we are people too.  Until Jesus came along though, women had little value other than bearing sons.  Even girl children were looked down on.  In many countries it's still like that.  Many times I thought about that and had trouble with it but when I was reading this verse, I realized that like the pain of childbirth, Eve messed things up for us in this area as well.  The man will rule over us even though we long for equal standing.

Praise God that Jesus came along and gave women value again.  As Paul taught in his letter to the Ephesians (5:21-33 NIV)

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her  to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.  In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.  After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church—  for we are members of his body.  “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.  However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

I could do a whole post on this passage but take 45 minutes and listen to the message that I linked to in my last post.  It explains it BEAUTIFULLY.  Here's another link to the message at C3  The message is the Pink Elephant one on the 21st of February.

This post is getting too long so I will address God speaking to Adam in the next post.  We will get through Chapter 3 eventually.

The snake and.... Dr. Dolittle?

So, in the last post Adam and Eve realized they were naked.  Let's look a little closer at what was going on.  First of all, if an animal or serpent started talking to you what would you do?  Would you freak out and get all excited?  I mean really.  In Genesis 3:1 (NASB)

And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?”

I don't know about you but I wouldn't take it calmly.  Stop and consider for a moment about Eve chatting with the serpent.  I don't think for a moment that she was tripping along and suddenly out of nowhere this serpent started talking.  First of all she would, like most of us, freak out.  I can see her running to Adam and dragging him back all the while chattering about this critter talking to her.

The reason I bring this up is, after reading this, slowly one word at a time in Hebrew, I got to thinking.  Does this mean that Adam and Eve could talk to the animals?  Kind of brings to mind Rex Harrison and Dr. Dolittle. Wouldn't it be cool to talk with animals?  Maybe that's exactly what Adam and Eve could do.  Maybe we will once again be able to do that.

But I digress.

So now this serpent comes along and starts talking with Eve then challenges her with what God said about the fruit of the trees.  I covered paying attention to what God says and not changing it in my last post.  The next thought is what this serpent looks like.  Have you ever considered it?

Did the snake look like this?

OR did the snake look something like this?

One must remember that after God finds out Adam and Eve ate of the fruit (like he didn't already know DUH) he condemned the snake to slither on the ground and eat dust.  Genesis 3:14 (my translation from Hebrew)

And the LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this you are cursed of all the beasts and of all living beings of the field. On your belly you shall go and you shall eat dust all the days of your life."

If God is making the snake go on his belly after all this, doesn' that mean that it wasn't on it's belly before that?   Even science shows that snakes used to have legs.  The only part that they don't get right is how long it took for them to lose the legs.  Here is an article from the Discovery channel.  What it does show is that snakes did once have legs.  I would say this supports the Biblical account of God dealing with that darn serpent.

Next... whose fault is it anyway?

EEK! We're naked!

So,  I posted about how God put Adam in the garden to work the land.

I should mention that the word Adam is the Hebrew word for man.  Many times when you see "Adam" in English, in the Hebrew the word is "the man".

Anyway, onward.  So , I noticed that God put Adam in the garden in Chapter 2 verse 15:

The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

Then in verses 16 & 17 God tells Adam:

And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

This is basically the same in English and Hebrew.  What I never noticed before is that God told Adam this THEN later in verses 21 & 22:

So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh.  Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

Notice that God told Adam about the tree of knowledge of good and evil before he created the woman.  Now later on in chapter 3 verse 1 the serpent is talking to Eve about the fruit.

“Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?”

To which Eve replies:

“From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’”

Where did she get the touch idea?  Did she make that up or did Adam tell her that?  We don't know.  What we do know is that it's NOT what God said.  We must all be very careful to pay attention to what God does say and not add or subtract anything from it.   Like eve we will get into trouble.

(I wrote the above part a few days ago but am coming back to finish here)

It's interesting because just this weekend at church, the lesson was on relationships between men and women.  Pastor Troy talked about Adam and Eve in the garden and them having things perfect but they still had discontentment.   You can hear the message here.  It's the one for February 21st.

Of course once Adam and Eve ate of the fruit they realized they were naked and they were embarrased.  Chapter 3 verse 7 (NASB)

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.

It's so sad that this happened.  If you read the post on naked an unashamed you will realize that there is a lot that happened when their eyes were opened.  It's not just that they saw their nakedness but they felt the shame in that nakedness.  God did not create them to feel that shame, that was the effect of sin entering them.
I think this picture reflects what happened more than just realizing nakedness.  Look at the fear and shame on the faces of Adam and Eve.  They know they blew it.  They actually thought they could hide from God.

Thank goodness that Jesus Christ came and died for us so we no longer have to deal with that shame and fear.  We can go with confidence to God.  Hebrews 4:16 (NASB)

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

We no longer have to fear and be ashamed.  Jesus took that sin upon himself.  We are covered by his blood.   Hebrews 4:14-15 (NASB)

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

 The next post is going to deal with the results of this sin.

Work Work Work

This is going to start off by backing up a bit to Genesis chapter 2.  Verse 5 says (NASB):

Now no shrub of the field was yet in the earth, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted, for the Lord God had not sent rain upon the earth, and there was no man to cultivate the ground.

 The word translated as cultivate here is

I guess I should be putting the pronunciation of these words when I put them up.  This one is "avad".  The word means work.  Now, cultivate may very well be the work that is do be done so that's okay.  Later in in verse 15 it says:

Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.

The same word is used here.  I always envisioned things being like utopia in the Garden of Eden.  Apparently I'm not the only one.  Here are some pictures from some of the masters of old.

You can see Adam and Eve lounging around not doing much.   I would put the name of each painter under the painting if I could find it.  Anyway, it looks in chapter 2 of Genesis that God created us to work.  He had plans for us.  Think about this for a bit.  If you've ever lost a job and are between jobs, do you get that bit of a lost feeling?  What about those of you who may have retired.  It's a little difficult to adjust to not going to a job every day.  I believe that it's because God created us to work.

Doesn't that give you some things to think about for eternity?  We won't be sitting around playing harps but God will have jobs for us.  Personally I am glad.  Playing a harp sounds so BORING.

Have you ever considered if there were weeds in Eden?  It makes me wonder a bit since God says that Adam should work the land and preserve it.  Even though the translation above says "cultivate it and keep it", the word that was translated as "keep" is:

Pronounced "L'shamrah".  This translates to preserve.  God told Adam to preserve the land.  That means that without him, it would not be preserved.  Maybe there were weeds.


Stay tuned.  I was going to talk about when Adam and Eve discovered they were naked but alas, I got carried away.  That will be the next post.