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I hope this will be a simple fun tool for us to grow in our understanding and surrender to God through the Bible as we connect over the web. Reading the Bible is both simple and difficult. What could be easier than opening a book and reading? Yet we've all done that and wondered what sections of the Bible mean? What's with the book of Leviticus? What is Revelation really about? Is the Song of Songs about marital love or is it supposed to be more 'spiritual' than that?

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5.05.2010

GENESIS 4:1-16 Cain and Abel

For NIV reading click here http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+4%3A1-16&version=NIV

Notice this is the first time 'sin' is mentioned.
Notice how 'sin' is described.
Notice how God stays in dialogue with Cain throughout.
Notice who is described as getting angry and who isn't.
Notice how personal sin involves to relational sin.
Notice how sensitive Cain is to his own pain, yet has no regard for Abel's.
Notice God's grace even in judgment.

Such a powerful story.

Thoughts, observations, questions...

Prayers,
Matt
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3 comments:

  1. Dave WybleMay 5, 2010 at 7:26 AM

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  2. Dave WybleMay 5, 2010 at 7:30 AM

    Well, my first thought (V4) is that God is definitely not vegetarian ;-)

    I'm stuck on Cain's punishment. Matt suggests we "Notice God's grace even in judgment." I'm not reading of a whole lot of grace.

    Cain received mercy, in that he was not simply killed outright for the murder. After that, I read of God's promised vengeance on anyone who puts Cain out of his misery. I do appreciate that even facing God's rage, Cain says "I will be hidden from your presence" and the absence of God would be more than he could bear.

    It is so easy to read the OT and see an angry vengeful God, and perhaps this is the first example. I know I am supposed to see more than that, but I'm not getting it from this passage.

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  3. AndyMay 5, 2010 at 10:25 AM

    It bothers me that the text says Cain left GOD's presence. GOD's presence is perhaps the ONLY constant in this crazy life. The text must be saying that Cain left his awareness of GOD's presence, not GOD left Cain. I guess a lot of people become angry with GOD...

    The story seems to be to be about anger and consequence. It could go along Jonah quite well. We say and do some stupid things when we don't bother to dissect and resolve anger, or when, in our anger, we lash out verbally or physically at others, destroying relationships or worse.

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