Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. But Abel brought 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.
We all know how this story ends: Cain kills his brother out of jealousy and envy. Sadly, this attitude is not foreign to us today. Whether it's in our actual family or in our church family, sibling rivalries are real. In the family, siblings are constantly competing for mom and dad's attention and favor. In the church, brothers and sisters compete for honor and recognition.
In the family, mom and dad need to recognize when this is going on and address it so that it doesn't get out of control. Unfortunately, in some families, parents actually feed this destructive attitude, playing siblings against each other. Sometimes, even playing their children against their spouse.
The same is true in the church. The pastor and elders need to recognize when this is happening and address it. Unfortunately, sometimes in the church the one jealously competing for recognition is the pastor. This is just as destructive in the church as it is in the family.
The reason Cain's offering was not acceptable to God had nothing to do with his brother. It had everything to do with his own heart. Instead of hearing God's rebuke and repenting, Cain decided it would be easier to get rid of his brother who was making him look bad. Cain's bad response only made things worse. Cain's bad response seems to have established his family's legacy:
Lamech [Cain's great-great-great grandson] said to his wives,
"Adah and Zillah, listen to me;
wives of Lamech, hear my words.
I have killed a man for wounding me,
a young man for injuring me.
If Cain is avenged seven times,
then Lamech seventy-seven times."
-Genesis 4:23
It is amazing how sins of fathers get passed along from generation to generation. We aren't told much about Cain's family history, but it seems like his rejecting God was a curse on his family for generations...possibly forever. Certainly we see that Cain's grandchildren had their selfish attitudes reinforced. They were willing to resort to violence and murder when their own egos were bruised. Much like Cain, Lamech does not repent for committing murder, but instead he tries to justify himself. This is the generational legacy that rebellion against God establishes. This is why God later says to Moses that He will punish the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Him.
If you are caught in a sibling rivalry anywhere in your life, today is the day to humble yourself and start working to resolve it. Turn to the Lord. Repent for your selfish contributions. Apologize to all you have hurt. Ask God to give you a humble and loving heart. He loves you. He sent His Son to die for you! You don't have to compete with anyone for His attention. He is able to pay attention to each and every one of us. After all, His attention and approval is the only one that matters.
God bless
Jason Fredrick
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