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Genesis 4:1-15 – Praying through the Bible #2 – A Prayer of a Failure
Cain is a failure. Examining Cain’s sins (Gn 4), we see the 1st and 2nd great commands broken (Mt 22.36-40). All of life and every life, from the very beginning to the end of life on earth, are summed up in these two great loves: Loving God by being a faith worshipper (Gn 4.3-5; Heb 11.4); and loving our neighbor as ourselves by being our brother’s keeper (Gn 4.8-9). “As you love yourself” shows personal responsibility to ourselves, another failure of Cain.
Cain is a failure because Cain is not Abel. We notice first that Cain is not Abel to offer up an acceptable sacrifice. Now physically he has all that he needs to please God, but something is amiss that makes Cain not Abel. God tells Cain (Gn 4.7) that if he does well, he will be lifted up – but will Cain be Abel? Cain must master sin, God says. But of course this is another aspect of his life where Cain isn’t Abel. Sin creeps at all our doors, and we, like Cain, have the ability to succeed; but something makes Cain not Abel. Cain is not Abel to hide from God either. No one can hide from Him who is everywhere. This wayward sibling falls before the Lord into a pile of sin. It isn’t that Cain does not have the God-given capabilities to triumph, we all do; but for some reason Cain is not Abel. The main reason why Cain is not Abel is that Abel obeys the Lord. If Cain, and all the world’s “Cains”, will take the I out of their lives, then Cain, minus the I, C-A-N be Abel.
Examining Cain’s sins, we notice his sins are not the focus of the narrative. The focus is their effect upwardly, outwardly and inwardly. The failure to accept God not accepting his inadequate sacrifice leads to Cain’s failure to accept responsibility for his past, present and future. Changing our past is a feat none can accomplish. Removing our sins from the record of human existence is impossible. Forgiveness removes the guilt, but the sin still was historically committed. Our focus must be on the effects of this sin in our lives, just as God focused on Cain (4.7).
Cain fails life by breaking the 1st and 2nd great commands, including loving himself enough to protect himself from himself. Very properly, Cain is punished by God. This is when Cain “prays” pleading, “My punishment is too great” (4.13). Cain becomes fearful he will be treated as he treated his brother which broke the Golden Rule (Mt 7.12). And what does God do to this failure? Amazingly, God gives him grace (4.15).
Prayer Challenge: Ask for forgiveness for sins against God, others, and self. Just as Genesis 4 is specific, get specific in our prayer. Accept how we treat God, others and ourselves, cannot be totally separated. Pray that both actions and attitudes will be properly combined, including loving ourselves by taking personal responsibility. Finally, thank God for his grace even when we are failures.
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