The Prototypes of All Humanity

GENESIS, PART 1: BEGINNINGS

“The Prototypes of All Humanity”

Genesis 4

Cain and Abel are the prototypes for all people. (vv. 1-2a)

All unrighteous people follow the example of Cain.

All righteous people follow the example of Abel.

The Contrast of the Brothers (v. 2b)

Cain works with the cursed ground; Abel rules over the cursed ground.

Cain has a secular job; Abel has a sacred job.

The Way of Cain:

with God’s standard. (vv. 3-4)

Why did God reject Cain’s sacrifice?

It was brought in pride. (Prov. 21:27)

It fell short of God’s standard. (vv. 6-7; Heb. 9:22; James 1:14; I Peter 5:8)

toward God’s faithful. (v. 8; I Jn. 3:10-12; Jude 11; Heb. 11:4; Lk. 11:49-51)

at God’s rebuke. (vv. 9-10)

The consequences for Cain:

God declares Cain’s guilt. (v. 10)

God dismisses Cain’s source of identity. (vv. 11-12a)

God deprives Cain of fellowship and displays him as a testimony to all. (v. 12b; Heb. 10:26-27; Rom. 1:28)

over God’s justice. (vv. 13-15)

in his legacy. (vv. 16-26)

The lesson of Abel: God’s standard never changes, and we must have faith in His provided means to meet that standard.

The lesson of Cain: One’s own works, however great by human measurement, can never meet God’s standard.