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Question About Cain and Abel...
{4-30-2010} Topics: Genesis, interpretation of the Bible, murder, Cain and Abel, Anger
 Pastor Chris,
What weapon did Cain use to murder Abel?
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Leo
 Leo,
The Hebrew reveals that Cain likely cut Abel’s throat with a knife. The Hebrew word translated “killed” in Genesis 4:8 means “to slice the throat” (as in the procedure done in animal sacrifice). The effect of Cain’s action was to say to God, “You want a sacrifice? I’ll give you a sacrifice!”
Cain became angry because God did not look with favor on his offering. Hebrews 11:4 says, “By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did.”
Cain’s heart was not right. His faith was not where it needed to be. Unchecked anger leads to bad actions with serious consequences. Anger running loose will take you places you do not want to go.
When we have angry feelings we will do well to see them as a “warning light.” We should stop and ask ourselves why we are angry.
There is such a thing as righteous anger. This is a good thing. We should get angry when God’s name is slandered. We should get angry when innocent people are mistreated. We should get angry over the slaughter of babies and children. We should stand against injustice in all its forms.
Unrighteous anger is a different thing. Cain allowed this unholy type of anger to simmer in his heart until it bubbled up and boiled over. This type of anger draws us toward sin. Unrighteous anger often comes about because of wounded pride. Cain’s pride was hurt because God corrected him. Cain got angry when he should have accepted God’s discipline.
It is better to respond to the situations of life rather than react to them. When we react we usually get into trouble, saying and doing things we later regret. It is wise to respond by praying and thinking before acting.
How do you process your anger?
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Pastor Chris |
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