Sermon Central
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Genesis Chapter Four Series
Contributed by Tom Shepard on Nov 26, 2022 (message contributor)
Summary: These are thoughts on Genesis Chapter Four. In his work, "What does every Bible chapter say..." John Hunt gives an overview of each chapter of the Bible. It is my intention to do the same thing here.
GENESIS CHAPTER FOUR OVERVIEW
Overall what is happening in this chapter is that the effects of sin is shown to the third generation of Adam.
Matthew Henry (1714) – Genesis 4
In this chapter we have both the world and the church in a family, in a little family, in Adam's family, and a specimen given of the character and state of both in after-ages, nay, in all ages, to the end of time. As all mankind were represented in Adam, so that great distinction of mankind into saints and sinners, godly and wicked, the children of God and the children of the wicked one, was here represented in Cain and Abel, and an early instance is given of the enmity which was lately put between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent. We have here:
I. The birth, names, and callings, of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-2).
II. Their religion, and different success in it (Genesis 4:3-5).
III. Cain's anger at God and the reproof of him for that anger (Genesis 4:5-7).
IV. Cain's murder of his brother, and the process against him for that murder. The murder committed (Genesis 4:8).
The proceedings against him:
1. His arraignment (Genesis 4:9, former part).
2. His plea (Genesis 4:9, latter part).
3. His conviction (Genesis 4:10).
4. The sentence passed upon him (Genesis 4:11-4:12).
5. His complaint against the sentence (Genesis 4:13-14).
6. The ratification of the sentence (Genesis 4:15).
7. The execution of the sentence (Genesis 4:15-16).
V. The family and posterity of Cain (Genesis 4:17-24).
VI. The birth of another son and grandson of Adam (Genesis 4:25-26).
Adam Clarke (1832) – Genesis 4
The birth, trade, and religion of Cain and Abel, (Genesis 4:1-7).
Cain murders his brother Abel, (Genesis 4:8).
God calls him into judgment for it, (Genesis 4:9-10).
Cain is cursed, (Genesis 4:11-12).
Cain despairs, (Genesis 4:13-14).
A promise given him of preservation, and a mark set on him to prevent his being killed, (Genesis 4:15).
Cain departs from God’s presence, (Genesis 4:16).
Has a son whom he calls Enoch; and builds a city, which he calls after his name, (Genesis 4:17).
Cain has several children, among whom are Lamech, the first bigamist, (Genesis 4:18-19.
Jabal, who taught the use of tents and feeding cattle, (Genesis 4:20).
Jubal, the inventor of musical instruments, (Genesis 4:21).
Tubal-cain, the inventor of smith-work, (Genesis 4:22).
Strange speech of Lamech to his wives, (Genesis 4:23-4:24).
Seth born to Adam and Eve in the place of Abel, (Genesis 4:25).
Enoch born, and the worship of God restored, (Genesis 4:26).
KEY EVENT
First murder in the Bible.
KEY CROSS REFERENCE
Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.
QUOTE
The innocence of a good man is often a sufficient reason to draw upon him the hatred of a bad one; the virtues of the good are the reproaches of the wicked. Cain could not bear with patience the distinction made between him and his brother! (Adam Clarke)
