Character Study Of Cain Series

CHARACTER STUDY OF CAIN – FIRSTBORN OF ADAM AND EVE, MURDERER OF ABEL

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text:

"And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?" – Genesis 4:9

Supporting Texts:

Genesis 4:1-16, 1 John 3:12, Hebrews 11:4, Jude 1:11

INTRODUCTION:

Cain was the firstborn son of Adam and Eve, making him the first naturally born human in history. His birth was a moment of great expectation, as Eve declared, "I have gotten a man from the Lord" (Genesis 4:1). However, despite his privileged position, Cain’s life was marked by jealousy, disobedience, and rebellion.

His story is most remembered for his murder of his younger brother Abel, which was the first recorded act of homicide in the Bible. This act of violence was triggered by envy when God accepted Abel’s offering but rejected Cain’s. His actions led to a curse from God, resulting in his separation from divine favour and his transformation into a fugitive.

In this study, we shall consider the life of Cain, his actions, his strengths and weaknesses, and the lessons we can learn from him.

1. CAIN WAS THE FIRSTBORN OF HUMANITY

As the first child of Adam and Eve, Cain had a unique place in history.

a) He was the first naturally born human

Unlike Adam and Eve, who were directly created by God, Cain was the first human to be born through the natural process of reproduction (Genesis 4:1).

b) He was expected to carry on God’s mandate

His birth was a fulfilment of God’s command to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28).

c) His name signified hope and expectation

Eve believed that Cain was a blessing from the Lord, indicating her faith in God’s plan (Genesis 4:1).

d) He grew up in a godly environment

Despite the fall, Cain had access to the teachings and knowledge of God from his parents (Genesis 3:21).

e) Biblical Example: Firstborns Who Carried Divine Expectations

Esau, like Cain, was a firstborn with great potential but lost his blessings due to wrong choices (Genesis 25:29-34).

2. CAIN WAS A TILLER OF THE GROUND

He followed in his father Adam’s footsteps as a worker of the land.

a) He was a hardworking farmer

Cain worked the soil, fulfilling his responsibility as part of humanity’s duty after the fall (Genesis 4:2).

b) He had skills in agriculture

His profession required diligence and knowledge of planting and harvesting (Genesis 4:2).

c) His work depended on God’s blessing

As a farmer, Cain’s success depended on God’s provision of rain and fertility (Deuteronomy 11:14).

d) He had an opportunity to offer his best to God

As a tiller of the ground, he could have honoured God with the firstfruits of his harvest (Proverbs 3:9).

e) Biblical Example: Hardworking Labourers in Scripture

Noah was also a man of the soil and planted a vineyard (Genesis 9:20).

3. CAIN’S OFFERING WAS REJECTED BY GOD

His sacrifice exposed his heart’s condition and led to his downfall.

a) He brought an offering to God

Cain participated in worship by presenting an offering from his crops (Genesis 4:3).

b) His offering lacked faith and excellence

Unlike Abel, who brought the best of his flock, Cain’s sacrifice was not accepted by God (Genesis 4:4-5).

c) God’s rejection revealed his heart’s issue

Cain’s attitude toward God and his offering showed that his heart was not right (Hebrews 11:4).

d) He became angry instead of repentant

Rather than seeking to correct his ways, he allowed anger to dominate him (Genesis 4:5).

e) Biblical Example: Other Offerings Rejected by God

King Saul’s disobedient sacrifice was also rejected by God (1 Samuel 15:22-23).

4. CAIN MURDERED HIS BROTHER ABEL

His anger and jealousy led to the first recorded act of murder.

a) He was warned by God about his anger

God advised Cain to rule over his sinful desires, but he ignored the warning (Genesis 4:6-7).

b) He lured Abel into the field

Cain deceived his brother and took him to an isolated place (Genesis 4:8).

c) He violently killed Abel

Overcome with rage, Cain committed the first murder (Genesis 4:8).

d) He denied responsibility

When God confronted him, Cain lied and asked, "Am I my brother’s keeper?" (Genesis 4:9).

e) Biblical Example: Betrayal and Murder in Scripture

Judas Iscariot also betrayed Jesus due to his selfish motives (Matthew 26:14-16).

5. CAIN WAS CURSED AND BANISHED

His punishment was severe, yet God still showed him mercy.

a) He was cursed from the ground

The land would no longer yield its strength for him (Genesis 4:11).

b) He became a restless wanderer

Cain was sentenced to a life of wandering with no permanent home (Genesis 4:12).

c) He feared for his life

He cried out that others might kill him in revenge (Genesis 4:13-14).