Genesis 4:3-5 Commentary
THOMAS SCOTT COMMENTARY
Verses 3-5. This early use of sacrifices confirms the supposition, that the appointment of them formed a part of the gracious revelation made to Adam after his transgression.—It is indeed exceedingly difficult, in any other way, to account for the use of altars and sacrifices, in appeasing the anger of the offended Deity, which has prevailed almost in all ages and nations, and which does not appear to have its original from any deductions of human reason. But if God commanded Adam, after the fall, to shed the blood of innocent animals, and to consume part, or the whole, of their bodies by fire; representing the punishment merited by sin, in death and after death, and prefiguring the sufferings of Christ; then the whole is natural: the original tradition was remembered, and the method of expiation practiced, long after the meaning of it was obscured or forgotten.—The apostle informs us, that “by faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.” Now, Cain evidently had some kind of faith in God, his Creator and providential Benefactor; and he brought an offering as an outward acknowledgment of his obligations, and expression of his gratitude: but he did not believe in the promised Saviour, nor come as a sinner to supplicate mercy through Him; and therefore he did not bring the sacrifices which prefigured the atonement. Thus he manifested an impenitent and unbelieving heart, and virtually cleaved to the violated covenant of works: and therefore he and his offering were rejected. But Abel came in faith as a sinner, according to the appointment of God; his offering was presented in sincerity, and was expressive of humility and believing obedience; and, as he sought the mercy of the new covenant though the promised Seed, he was graciously accepted; and his sacrifice was distinguished by some manifest token of divine approbation. Probably it was consumed by fire from heaven; which intimated, that deserved vengeance, consuming the sacrifice, made way for the exercise of mercy to the offender (Marg. Ref. 4.)—In all ages there have been two such descriptions of worshippers: namely, proud despisers of salvation by faith in the blood of Christ, who have attempted to please God by their own devices; and humble believers, who have found acceptance in His appointed way, and patiently endured the envy, hatred, and persecution to which this exposed them. Cain, however, instead of humbly inquiring the cause of his rejection, indulged desponding grief and malignant resentment against Abel, and even rebellion and enmity against God himself; which tormenting passions were (as they are wont to be) strongly marked on his sullen downcast countenance.
THOMAS HAWEIS COMMENTARY
Verses 3-5: The sons of Adam no sooner began to be grown up for labor, but we find them before the Lord. Religion was the first thing, no doubt, he taught them, and divine worship is a principal part of it.
1. They appeared, according to their vocations, with their several oblations of the fruit of the ground, and of their flock: (1.) The worship of God should be the first thing we should instill into our children; if they are brought up in the nurture of the Lord, we may have good hopes, when they come to years of discretion, to find them in his holy ways. (2.) According as the Lord hath blessed us, we are bound to honor him with our substance, whether for the support of his cause, or the relief of the distressed. He will count this done to himself. (3.) Among the worshippers of God, there will ever be found hypocrites; men forward enough to bend the knee, and give alms, and appear religious, but void of true faith; without which, it is impossible to please God. Such was Cain.
2. They were very differently regarded. Cain was rejected, while Abel offers an acceptable sacrifice. If it be asked, why? 1. Because Cain was a wicked man; his ways were displeasing to God, and therefore his sacrifice was an abomination. 2. Because he was an unbeliever; his works were his trust, and he looked to no better righteousness than his own for acceptance. Note, The works of the self-righteous are in God’s sight the works of the ungodly, and will be rejected with abhorrence. Before we presume to approach God, let us ever remember, that our sacrifices can only be acceptable to him, when offered in the faith of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Abel’s sacrifice, on the other hand, God had respect to: 1. Because it was offered in faith; this was its commendation to his regard. It was a sacrifice of atonement in blood; implying an acknowledgment of his sin and desert, and profession of his dependence on the Redeemer to come. Note, Wherever faith in Jesus is, there God will testify his approbation of our services: though the fire of heaven do not descend upon our sacrifice, as it seems to have done on Abel’s, the fire of love will upon our heart, and bear witness of our acceptance, that we are the children of God. 2. Because it was accompanied with the offering of his heart. He was a righteous man, Mt 23:35. And as the tree was good, its fruit was holiness to the Lord. Note, There is a real difference in the characters of men: no good work can proceed but from an honest and good heart, the same faith which makes a person accepted, purifies the heart and enables it to perform an acceptable service. Be it remembered, however, who maketh us to differ, that we may not think more highly of our selves than we ought to think.
3. The effect this produced on Cain. Anger against God, as if he were unjust in his regards, and envy at his innocent brother, because of God’s favor to him, kindle in his bosom, dart from his fiery eyes, or disfigure his pale and fallen countenance. Behold a lively picture of the devil: how like is the offspring to the parent; a fallen man to a fallen angel?
Learn here, (1.) Rebukes only exasperate the un-humbled. He is filled with the fury of the Lord, as a wild bull in a net, Isa 51:20. (2.) The children of God are ever the objects of anger and envy to the children of the devil. The wicked seeth the righteous, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth, Ps 37:12. (3.) The enmity of the seeds began in Cain and Abel, and will only end with the end of time.
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