Reading for April 29th

 Read Genesis 4.1-16. In 4.1-26: Cain and Abel-the first murder. In verse 1: The man knew his wife implies intimate knowledge, in this case sexual intercourse. The man had earlier named his wife Eve (3.20). Now Eve turns and names a man, her son Cain. In a word play on he name Cain ("qayin"), the woman creates or "produces" ("qnh') a man with the help of the Lord. In verses 4-5: The text gives no reason why God accepts Abel's animal offering but reject Cain's grain offering. God reserves the divine right to accept or be merciful to whomever he will (Ex 33.19). In verse 7: If Cain acts properly in response to his brother's acceptance and his own rejection, then Cain himself will be accepted. But if Cain does not do well, sin is lurking at the door like an animal eager to consume his life. This is the first occurrence of the word sin in the Bible. In verse 9: Cain's cynical question, Am I my brother's keeper?, may imply that God should be the one responsible for "keeping" or "guarding" his brother (Ps 121.5; Isa 27.3). In verses 10-11: The blood of any human or animal is considered sacred because it is believed to contain essence of life. Thus, any spilling of blood is a matter for God's attention (Deut 12.23-24; Lev 17.10-14). In verse 14; As a fugitive and wanderer in foreign lands, Cain will have no rights or protection. he will be vulnerable to blood revenge for the murder of his brother. 2 Sam 24.1-24 provides an example of this case. Comments or Questions..