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.