Why did Cain kill Abel?

[ZiSunka]

Why do you think Cain killed Abel?

I mean, that's a pretty drastic direction to go in just because you're upset that God didn't accept your offering, isn't it?

 

[PromiseSeeker]

The Bible says:

Genesis 4:2-10 (New Living Translation)



2Later she gave birth to a second son and named him Abel.

When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain was a farmer. 3At harvesttime Cain brought to the LORD a gift of his farm produce, 4while Abel brought several choice lambs from the best of his flock. The LORD accepted Abel and his offering, 5but he did not accept Cain and his offering. This made Cain very angry and dejected.

6"Why are you so angry?" the LORD asked him. "Why do you look so dejected? 7You will be accepted if you respond in the right way. But if you refuse to respond correctly, then watch out! Sin is waiting to attack and destroy you, and you must subdue it."

8Later Cain suggested to his brother, Abel, "Let's go out into the fields."[a] And while they were there, Cain attacked and killed his brother.

9Afterward the LORD asked Cain, "Where is your brother? Where is Abel?"

"I don't know!" Cain retorted. "Am I supposed to keep track of him wherever he goes?" 10But the LORD said, "What have you done? Listen--your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground!


Why God preferred Abel's offering to Cain's is uncertain. Possibly, Cain's problem was his attitude. Cain certainly became instantly angry with God when things did not go his way.

 

[Gwenyfur]

Perhaps as suggested by people a LOT smarter than myself...Cain projected his feelings of anger and failure onto his brother because Abel was approved....

Like situations today...If only <fill in name here> weren't always blocking my attempts at <choose action here> then I could succeed and have my way.

Just a thought...

 

[Lockheed]

Cain was an ungodly man, he killed his brother because the "heart is desperately wicked" and from "out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies"... we are desperately in need of a Savior and it is only grace that keeps anyone from murdering others.

I've heard it said that perhaps Cain, (building on my previous points in the other thread) recognized that God demanded blood, and sought to offer his brother (in a sense) as retribution against God, but that's pure speculation. More than anything, Cain was a sinner whose heart had not been regenerated by the Holy Spirit.

 

[ZiSunka]

If I understand you Lockheed, you are saying that Cain was making a blood sacrifice out of Abel to atone for his bad offering.

 

[holyrokker]

If I understand you Lockheed, you are saying that Cain was making a blood sacrifice out of Abel to atone for his bad offering.

That doesn't seem right to me. I think it's just plain old hatred.

Sin just doesn't make sense.

 

[MbiaJc]

Why do you think Cain killed Abel?

I mean, that's a pretty drastic direction to go in just because you're upset that God didn't accept your offering, isn't it?

Cain killed Able out of jelousy.

Cain knew what God required, "you will be accepted if you respond in the right way" is what God told cain. He did not give his offering out of ignorance. He gave it out of pride. Same as folks today doing their own thing knowing what thing God has said to do.

 

[Lockheed]

MbiaJc,

Not specifically, but I've heard that parallel drawn. I wouldn't teach that by any means...

No matter what, Cain's reaction would be our reaction, if not for the grace of God.