WEBVTT 00:00:01.120 --> 00:00:04.240 Welcome to the program Study in the Chapel. 00:00:04.559 --> 00:00:07.599 God's Word is supreme at Chapel Ministries. 00:00:07.839 --> 00:00:12.400 We consider it absolutely essential to a proper relationship with God. 00:00:12.800 --> 00:00:17.760 We study it, we love it, we rely on it every minute of every day. 00:00:18.000 --> 00:00:22.800 The following program is an edited recording of the regular Bible studies we hold. 00:00:23.120 --> 00:00:33.920 And we decided to share these with you in the hope that you too will be able to find inspiration, encouragement, and ultimately salvation through discovering Christ in Scripture. 00:00:34.399 --> 00:00:37.600 Our intention is to travel all the way through the Bible. 00:00:37.759 --> 00:00:42.719 It will be a challenging journey, but one that will undoubtedly bring you to a decision. 00:00:43.039 --> 00:00:48.240 Through this study, you will be faced with either believing or rejecting what God has said to us. 00:00:48.479 --> 00:00:54.399 It is our intention to provide you with enough knowledge to make an informed decision about God and his word. 00:00:54.960 --> 00:01:04.879 We strongly encourage you to listen intently and diligently, because though at the moment you may not realize it, these things are truly a matter of life and death. 00:01:05.120 --> 00:01:09.359 In fact, these are matters of eternal life and eternal death. 00:01:09.680 --> 00:01:11.599 Never treat what God has said lightly. 00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:14.400 There's truly nothing more important to you. 00:01:14.640 --> 00:01:18.959 Now join us as we seek God's will through his inspired word. 00:01:19.519 --> 00:01:33.519 You know, I suspect that if you told the typical worldling that you come to Bible study every Wednesday night, they'd they'd probably respond by asking you why. 00:01:33.920 --> 00:01:38.719 Sounds boring to me, is the likely follow-up statement. 00:01:39.840 --> 00:01:50.719 Well, I hope you're starting to see by now that there's only one type of person who thinks the Bible is boring, and that's someone who knows nothing about it. 00:01:50.879 --> 00:01:52.879 No, hang on a minute, man. 00:01:53.040 --> 00:01:54.319 That's not fair. 00:01:54.560 --> 00:01:57.439 You know, I used to go to church every Sunday. 00:01:57.760 --> 00:02:00.000 I went to catechism as a kid. 00:02:00.239 --> 00:02:03.280 I even went to religious high school. 00:02:03.680 --> 00:02:04.400 You know what? 00:02:04.560 --> 00:02:05.599 Me too. 00:02:06.079 --> 00:02:13.280 But it wasn't until I was well into my 30s that I even began to understand scripture. 00:02:13.520 --> 00:02:22.159 Almost nothing from my church-going youth has been of any help to me in my spiritual life. 00:02:23.599 --> 00:02:25.439 And I know I'm not alone. 00:02:25.680 --> 00:02:31.360 By the way, this ministry is dedicated to those who have this exact same story. 00:02:31.520 --> 00:02:37.919 It's for everyone, but it's especially sensitive to the growing up in church crowd. 00:02:38.080 --> 00:02:41.039 So let's jump back into Genesis. 00:02:41.680 --> 00:02:46.719 Starting at verse eight, we're on in chapter four, starting at verse eight. 00:02:46.879 --> 00:02:49.280 And Cain talked with Abel his brother. 00:02:49.439 --> 00:02:54.000 We said last week, and Cain said to Abel his brother. 00:02:54.159 --> 00:02:55.039 What did he say? 00:02:55.199 --> 00:02:56.240 We can't be sure. 00:02:56.479 --> 00:03:01.039 And Cable said, and Cain said to his brother Abel. 00:03:01.199 --> 00:03:08.080 And it came to pass when they were in the field that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and slew him. 00:03:08.240 --> 00:03:09.039 Verse 9. 00:03:09.280 --> 00:03:14.639 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? 00:03:15.439 --> 00:03:21.199 You know, I've noticed that God asks a lot of questions in the book of Genesis. 00:03:21.439 --> 00:03:33.759 And as you remember, I suggested to you sometime back that when he does ask questions, all he really wants to know is how we're going to answer. 00:03:34.000 --> 00:03:38.560 He isn't going to add to his wisdom with his inquiries. 00:03:38.719 --> 00:03:41.759 There's nothing hidden or mysterious to him. 00:03:41.919 --> 00:03:45.439 He's not looking for any tidbits of wisdom. 00:03:45.680 --> 00:03:47.360 He knows everything. 00:03:47.919 --> 00:03:55.360 But he asks questions to bring out what's inside of us, not only for us, but for him. 00:03:55.599 --> 00:04:05.840 And Cain talked with Abel his brother, and it came to pass when they were in the field that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and slew him. 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:10.319 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? 00:04:10.560 --> 00:04:14.800 And he said, I know not, am I my brother's keeper? 00:04:15.039 --> 00:04:16.480 Not a good answer. 00:04:16.800 --> 00:04:20.720 If God asks you something, don't get smart. 00:04:20.959 --> 00:04:23.279 It might not go very well for you. 00:04:23.439 --> 00:04:24.399 Verse 10. 00:04:24.639 --> 00:04:28.959 And he said, And God said, What hast thou done? 00:04:29.600 --> 00:04:30.879 Another question. 00:04:31.199 --> 00:04:35.360 But this time God doesn't wait for that snappy answer. 00:04:35.680 --> 00:04:38.959 And he said, What hast thou done? 00:04:39.199 --> 00:04:44.160 The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. 00:04:44.399 --> 00:04:54.240 Verse 11, and now art thou cursed from the earth which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand. 00:04:54.480 --> 00:05:00.480 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength. 00:05:00.720 --> 00:05:05.519 A fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. 00:05:06.240 --> 00:05:18.240 Now, one of the most common top topics taught in just about every leadership training course concerns how to convey a message. 00:05:18.560 --> 00:05:24.480 You learn that there is more than one way to communicate the things you want to say. 00:05:24.560 --> 00:05:27.920 And one of the most effective is through tone. 00:05:28.160 --> 00:05:38.560 I think most good speakers eventually come to the realization that sometimes it's not what you say, but how you say it. 00:05:39.120 --> 00:05:41.680 What have you done? 00:05:42.399 --> 00:05:50.800 Of course, God knows what Cain did, so this was obviously another one of those rhetorical questions. 00:05:51.199 --> 00:06:02.720 Now, none of us were there to hear the tone of God's question, but I think I think we can all be fairly certain that it didn't sound passive and nurturing. 00:06:02.959 --> 00:06:05.839 I'm sure God used his dad voice. 00:06:06.000 --> 00:06:07.680 What have you done? 00:06:08.800 --> 00:06:12.079 He used that voice to get the message across. 00:06:12.399 --> 00:06:14.480 What hast thou done? 00:06:15.199 --> 00:06:20.959 And then we hear one of the most solemn statements of the entire Bible. 00:06:21.120 --> 00:06:29.680 Now, certainly God does not normally react emotionally, but it sure seems he comes close here. 00:06:30.079 --> 00:06:33.120 And he said, What hast thou done? 00:06:33.439 --> 00:06:38.240 The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. 00:06:38.399 --> 00:06:44.319 Now, this is a rather intriguing statement and a tough one to teach. 00:06:44.639 --> 00:06:48.800 Not because it's all that difficult to analyze. 00:06:49.120 --> 00:06:55.360 It's just that it's not easy from a technical perspective to unpack. 00:06:55.600 --> 00:07:04.000 But I don't think there's any doubt on anyone's part as to the general message God is conveying. 00:07:04.319 --> 00:07:06.319 He is obviously angry. 00:07:06.560 --> 00:07:13.360 He is obviously trying to get through to Cain the impact of his actions. 00:07:14.160 --> 00:07:18.959 But a word-for-word rendering is not so easy to come up with. 00:07:19.120 --> 00:07:21.279 Interpretation isn't the problem. 00:07:21.519 --> 00:07:22.879 Translation is. 00:07:23.680 --> 00:07:31.759 And part of the reason for that is that it appears to be, well, unusually poetic. 00:07:32.000 --> 00:07:34.959 That's not something we're used to in the Bible. 00:07:35.199 --> 00:07:54.000 Even in the books that are specifically structured as prose, though those passages are designed like poetry, even they don't contain a lot of the language of poetry, at least not in the way we're used to in other forms of literature. 00:07:54.480 --> 00:07:59.600 My point is that the Bible is always direct and to the point. 00:07:59.759 --> 00:08:05.759 It doesn't rely on emotionally charged imagery to convey a message. 00:08:06.000 --> 00:08:14.000 Yes, there is some of that, but it's never the core delivery method, no time for examples. 00:08:14.399 --> 00:08:20.800 But here in Genesis 4.10, we do actually have just such a statement. 00:08:21.120 --> 00:08:24.240 And he said, What hast thou done? 00:08:24.480 --> 00:08:29.600 The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. 00:08:29.759 --> 00:08:37.519 So let's not spend too much time here, because as I said, we get it, albeit maybe not perfectly. 00:08:38.000 --> 00:08:40.480 Now we dealt with that first part. 00:08:40.720 --> 00:08:42.320 What hast thou done? 00:08:42.639 --> 00:08:44.960 Do you have any idea what you've done? 00:08:45.120 --> 00:08:46.399 That sort of thing. 00:08:46.639 --> 00:08:55.039 Now, one more time, there it's the tone of what God is saying that delivers the practical message. 00:08:55.200 --> 00:09:02.320 And then there's this part: the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. 00:09:02.480 --> 00:09:08.240 Now, the clear message is that this is an incredibly tragic event. 00:09:08.559 --> 00:09:21.759 We see in this statement the innocence of the victim and the immense impact of his death, and really the manner of death more than just the death. 00:09:22.080 --> 00:09:29.360 Abel was a godly man, and his passing, his murder, will have consequences. 00:09:29.600 --> 00:09:33.120 But much more so is the fact that he was murdered. 00:09:33.279 --> 00:09:35.759 That's the reason for this statement. 00:09:36.159 --> 00:09:42.159 The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. 00:09:42.399 --> 00:09:49.200 Now, all of that we can determine from the imagery and the context of the statement. 00:09:49.759 --> 00:09:52.559 But what is the literal meaning? 00:09:53.120 --> 00:09:54.240 What does that matter, John? 00:09:54.399 --> 00:09:55.600 If we get the message, what? 00:09:55.919 --> 00:10:02.399 Because I want you to get into the habit of studying God's word for yourself. 00:10:02.559 --> 00:10:03.759 Don't rely on anyone. 00:10:03.840 --> 00:10:05.360 Don't even rely on me. 00:10:05.600 --> 00:10:12.559 Take a close look at God's word, and you will get a chance to see his personality. 00:10:12.720 --> 00:10:14.559 That's the point I want to make. 00:10:14.720 --> 00:10:24.080 When we are able to break these things down, we get a chance to see what God is not like, not just what he is saying, but what he's like. 00:10:24.480 --> 00:10:28.559 Verse 10, and he said, What hast thou done? 00:10:28.720 --> 00:10:33.360 The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. 00:10:33.519 --> 00:10:34.960 Now, here's the problem. 00:10:35.919 --> 00:10:48.000 In the original, listen to me, the word that we translate into our word blood, the voice of thy brother's blood, is actually in the plural. 00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:53.039 It literally refers to Abel's bloods. 00:10:54.000 --> 00:11:22.320 Now, if it were not for this fact, I think we could simply say we have a lyrical, metaphorical statement and then move on, sort of personifying the blood of Abel, you know, giving it a voice in a way that invokes the innocence of it and the tragedy imposed upon it, highlighting the heartbreak of innocent spilled blood of a good man. 00:11:22.799 --> 00:11:26.879 As I said, it sounds poetic and literary. 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:30.879 But in the original, that's the English. 00:11:31.039 --> 00:11:32.320 It comes out that way. 00:11:32.480 --> 00:11:38.799 But in the original, that doesn't work so well because of the plural noun. 00:11:38.879 --> 00:11:41.120 Now you think, well, maybe it's just a mistake. 00:11:41.279 --> 00:11:44.559 Well, the plural noun has agreement in the verb. 00:11:44.720 --> 00:11:46.399 Remember sentence verb agreement? 00:11:46.480 --> 00:11:48.559 That's very important in grammar. 00:11:48.799 --> 00:11:54.240 Well, the plural noun is actually agreed to the plural verb. 00:11:54.399 --> 00:11:59.200 The plural noun has a plural verb corresponding to it. 00:11:59.519 --> 00:12:08.720 This statement, therefore, was meant to communicate that bloods were expressing themselves somehow. 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:24.320 Therefore, I think the only way we can make sense of this is if we assume that God was speaking about the ancestors Abel was never going to have because of this murder. 00:12:24.639 --> 00:12:34.159 Now, this is actually the opinion of many of the Jewish rabbis who through the centuries have analyzed this verse. 00:12:34.480 --> 00:12:42.480 The unborn posterity of Abel have collectively lifted their voices up to the Lord. 00:12:42.720 --> 00:12:47.840 Now, I realize this doesn't make a scientific mind very happy. 00:12:48.159 --> 00:12:53.519 The biggest question this interpretation is invokes is how? 00:12:54.080 --> 00:13:02.080 How can those who have never existed speak out against the murder of their progenitor? 00:13:02.799 --> 00:13:03.759 Well, I don't know. 00:13:03.840 --> 00:13:08.159 And I'm sure someone's gonna ask me, how does that all f I don't know? 00:13:08.639 --> 00:13:23.279 Just add this to the list of topics in Genesis where we don't get enough information on to analyze completely, at least to the satisfaction of our curiosity. 00:13:24.320 --> 00:13:26.799 But do we really need to do that? 00:13:27.039 --> 00:13:32.960 I mean, it's not terribly difficult to reconcile emotionally. 00:13:33.440 --> 00:13:42.080 The words are sufficient for us to generate the proper sympathy for not only Abel, but God Himself. 00:13:42.240 --> 00:13:49.120 We may not be able to build a spreadsheet of facts on this passage, but I think we get it. 00:13:49.679 --> 00:13:52.799 And I think that should be enough. 00:13:53.120 --> 00:14:04.639 We understand this murder was immensely unfortunate for so many, so it's best to just let it speak to our hearts and leave it at that. 00:14:06.960 --> 00:14:10.399 Well, you're the one that made us you know, study it even closer. 00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:11.440 What are you talking about? 00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:13.200 I just want you to be interested. 00:14:13.360 --> 00:14:15.360 I want this to be important to you. 00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:22.159 But after a while, asking too many questions just means your curiosity is more important than truth. 00:14:22.320 --> 00:14:23.759 We have to be careful of that. 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:27.840 Verse 11, God's judgment forthcoming. 00:14:28.159 --> 00:14:36.960 Now, by the way, God's judgment, listen to me, is always forthcoming on the unrepentant sinner. 00:14:37.200 --> 00:14:44.639 And it doesn't matter if you're a murderer or just a guy who steals your neighbor's newspaper. 00:14:44.799 --> 00:14:45.519 I mean that. 00:14:45.600 --> 00:14:47.440 It's all the same to God. 00:14:47.679 --> 00:14:53.440 And never, never forget the message of these last two chapters of Genesis. 00:14:53.679 --> 00:14:58.080 In fact, the next few chapters will say it even more clearly. 00:14:58.399 --> 00:15:01.039 God will judge sin. 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:05.919 Do not misunderstand the way God uses the word forgiveness. 00:15:06.320 --> 00:15:22.240 The only reason any forgiveness whatsoever is available to us is because somewhere God's wrath has been satisfied and his judgment has already been meted out. 00:15:22.559 --> 00:15:23.679 Listen to me. 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:27.519 There are no imbalances in God's ledgers. 00:15:27.840 --> 00:15:36.159 God will not erase anything without there being a corresponding credit. 00:15:36.559 --> 00:15:40.399 Just like in accounting, every debit needs a credit. 00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:43.519 Every sin needs a conviction. 00:15:44.159 --> 00:15:45.919 FYI for the saved. 00:15:46.080 --> 00:15:56.080 In fact, the very definition of the word saved, at least how we use it in Christianity, means our sins are forgiven. 00:15:56.240 --> 00:16:03.759 Listen to me, our debt has been paid because Christ took our conviction for us. 00:16:04.080 --> 00:16:12.000 Balance is maintained for us, for us saved, because of what happened on Calvary. 00:16:12.159 --> 00:16:16.799 Our imbalances with God have been made right by Christ. 00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:19.440 Okay, verse 11 for real this time. 00:16:19.519 --> 00:16:25.759 Actually, let's start at verse 8 so we can feel the full impact of this passage. 00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:39.200 And Cain talked with Abel his brother, and Cain said to his brother, and it came to pass when they were in the field that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and slew him. 00:16:39.360 --> 00:16:44.639 And the Lord got and the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? 00:16:44.799 --> 00:16:49.279 And he said, I know not, am I my brother's keeper? 00:16:49.519 --> 00:16:52.639 And he said, What hast thou done? 00:16:52.960 --> 00:17:05.599 The voice of thy brother's bloods crieth unto me from the ground, and now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand. 00:17:05.759 --> 00:17:06.720 Verse 12. 00:17:13.359 --> 00:17:17.279 A fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. 00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:18.880 I flew, I flew. 00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:25.839 I threw in verse 12 because it completes the full judgment against Cain. 00:17:26.160 --> 00:17:31.359 Verse 11 says, And now art thou cursed from the earth. 00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:33.680 Now the meaning here is clear. 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:36.799 There is a focus on the ground. 00:17:37.119 --> 00:17:42.000 Cain soiled the earth, soiled the ground with innocent blood. 00:17:42.160 --> 00:17:48.319 And therefore it is from this ground, from the earth, that his curse shall come. 00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:51.839 Now, don't forget, Cain was a farmer. 00:17:52.160 --> 00:17:56.720 His entire livelihood depended on the ground. 00:17:56.799 --> 00:18:01.279 And he was proud of his skills in working the earth. 00:18:01.599 --> 00:18:10.480 Verse 11, and now art thou cursed from the earth which hath opened up her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand. 00:18:10.640 --> 00:18:18.559 When thou tillest the ground, when you farm the earth, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength. 00:18:18.799 --> 00:18:23.519 A fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. 00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:30.640 I don't think you and I fully appreciate how devastating this judgment is. 00:18:30.880 --> 00:18:37.440 Let me tell you, when we ignore God, he's going to hit us where it hurts. 00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:40.319 But I suppose it could have been worse. 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:44.799 I mean, Cain's sin deserved a sentence of death. 00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:49.200 So why didn't God execute that sentence? 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:52.000 Who said that he didn't? 00:18:52.720 --> 00:18:56.160 My friends, we are all sentenced to death. 00:18:56.400 --> 00:19:02.480 But God, for some reason, is suspending that sentence for all of us, for some reason. 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:06.160 Now I want to say more, but we have to keep moving. 00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:18.000 I just want you to realize that God would have been fully justified if he had taken Cain's life that very moment, but he didn't. 00:19:18.319 --> 00:19:18.960 Why? 00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:24.319 Well, for the usual reason, because that wasn't in his plan. 00:19:24.559 --> 00:19:28.960 Getting rid of Cain at that moment wasn't in his plan. 00:19:29.359 --> 00:19:34.160 God will fulfill all he has said he would do. 00:19:34.319 --> 00:19:38.640 That includes punishment, but that also includes all of the other things. 00:19:38.960 --> 00:19:46.480 He said he was going to fill the earth, and perhaps that's why he kept Cain around, so that he could help to fill the earth. 00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:49.279 We know that Cain had children. 00:20:03.599 --> 00:20:07.680 Cain will no longer be able to be a farmer. 00:20:07.839 --> 00:20:14.319 He's going to try and he's going to try, but no matter what, nothing will result. 00:20:15.200 --> 00:20:16.960 That's part of the curse. 00:20:17.119 --> 00:20:27.759 Now the next guy might come along, do a little plowing, dump in a few seeds, irrigate, uh, whatever farmers do, and voila, crops. 00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:30.000 Cain, nothing. 00:20:31.119 --> 00:20:35.839 Even though, and not and including no weeds, in my opinion. 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:37.279 I've put that in my notes. 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:39.119 Nothing, probably not even weeds. 00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:44.000 Now, you and I don't want weeds, but they do serve a purpose for someone. 00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:49.519 But Cain won't probably even be able to produce weeds. 00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:52.640 What a brutal spectacle for him. 00:20:53.680 --> 00:20:58.720 He'll have to abandon his labor of love and wonder. 00:20:58.960 --> 00:21:04.480 Live the life of a fugitive and a vagabond, as the King James puts it. 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:14.720 Cain goes from the founder of agriculture to a homeless outlaw who must forage to survive. 00:21:16.319 --> 00:21:18.880 This is disobedience. 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:22.480 This is what disobedience can get you. 00:21:22.799 --> 00:21:31.279 Now, of course, your disobedience won't necessarily keep you out of your vegetable patch, but it's going to hurt. 00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:36.240 And you may not feel its effects right away, but don't fool yourself. 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:38.880 You're dealing with an eternal being. 00:21:39.359 --> 00:21:41.039 Time means nothing to him. 00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:44.799 Someone like that can afford to be patient. 00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:49.680 So don't let a temporary peace fool you. 00:21:50.319 --> 00:21:54.079 If you don't get right with God, you will pay the price. 00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:55.680 How do I get right with God? 00:21:55.839 --> 00:21:57.920 Call on Jesus your Savior. 00:21:58.799 --> 00:21:59.759 Now it just so happens. 00:22:00.400 --> 00:22:03.680 That Cain got his right away, at least part of it. 00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:10.400 And you know, his reaction is one of the most pitiful in all the Bible, verse 13. 00:22:10.640 --> 00:22:16.319 And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear. 00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:20.079 In fact, now he's actually terrified. 00:22:20.640 --> 00:22:26.079 Behold, thou hast driven me out of this right again. 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:43.839 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth, and from thy face shall I be hid, and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth, and it shall come to pass that everyone that findeth me shall slay me. 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:47.119 Now, does this surprise any of you? 00:22:47.359 --> 00:22:52.640 Does this reaction seem out of character for Cain? 00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:57.359 This murderer is afraid of being murdered. 00:22:58.000 --> 00:23:05.200 Isn't it true we always see in the hearts of others that which is most prevalent in our own? 00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:09.839 I mean, thieves have the most elaborate home security systems. 00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:14.400 Unfaithful husbands are always accusing their wives of adultery. 00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:18.160 Liars never believe what anyone tells them. 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:24.160 Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear. 00:23:24.799 --> 00:23:32.400 Now there are some who say this should be translated, my iniquity is greater than it may be forgiven. 00:23:32.640 --> 00:23:45.599 In other words, they say that Cain has been pushed to despair, that he sees how deeply he's offended God, and now he doesn't believe he can be redeemed. 00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:48.480 He's worried about being redeemed. 00:23:49.119 --> 00:23:55.119 Now, granted, the Hebrew does make such an interpretation possible. 00:23:55.519 --> 00:24:04.079 The original word translated into the phrase, my punishment can actually be rendered mine iniquity. 00:24:04.319 --> 00:24:10.720 But given the context, I don't think that such a view of the statement is legitimate. 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:13.039 Remember, context is king. 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:20.480 From what we've been told, at least to me, Cain doesn't appear to see what he did as sinful. 00:24:20.640 --> 00:24:26.799 It doesn't appear to me that he thinks he needs to be redeemed or that he's offended God. 00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:31.680 All he's afraid of is the ramifications of being driven out. 00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:46.960 It's much more likely, given the other things he's already said and his personality, what little of it we can see, that he's really only complaining here about God's treatment of him. 00:24:47.200 --> 00:24:51.680 He thinks God's the bad guy and he's being unfair. 00:24:53.119 --> 00:24:59.599 I always say it's really not difficult to see ourselves in these early humans, is it? 00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:10.160 We need to realize that the dark traits that reside in us have been a part of the human heart for a very long time. 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:16.640 And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear. 00:25:16.880 --> 00:25:33.359 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth, and from thy face shall I be hid, and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth, and it shall come to pass that every one that findeth me shall slay me. 00:25:33.920 --> 00:25:42.160 Now I also want to quickly mention that just because we complain to God doesn't mean that'll change anything. 00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:49.759 We can kick and scream and throw fits, but God is not going to back off from his word. 00:25:50.640 --> 00:25:53.039 You know you can trust to God like that. 00:25:53.599 --> 00:25:58.160 And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear. 00:25:58.400 --> 00:25:59.279 I'm complaining. 00:25:59.440 --> 00:26:01.039 This isn't right, this isn't fair. 00:26:01.119 --> 00:26:02.799 I'm not going to be able to handle this. 00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:08.799 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth, and from thy face shall I be hid. 00:26:08.880 --> 00:26:11.039 I'll no longer have your protection, God. 00:26:11.200 --> 00:26:15.759 If you drive me out, I will never I will not be able to be protected by you. 00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:24.480 I will be I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth, and it shall come to pass that everyone that findeth me shall slay me. 00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:34.079 And the Lord said unto him, Therefore, whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:40.000 And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him. 00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:42.079 Now there's a lot going on here. 00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:44.880 I don't think we'll be able to finish it all tonight. 00:26:45.359 --> 00:26:50.000 And let me tell you, it's never easy to teach Genesis. 00:26:50.319 --> 00:26:55.759 Verse 15 is another difficult one to interpret. 00:26:55.920 --> 00:26:58.799 The commentaries are all over the place. 00:26:59.359 --> 00:27:06.880 So instead of laying out all the possibilities, I'll once again just share with you my opinion. 00:27:07.200 --> 00:27:14.480 In verse 14, Cain is expressing fear that he is going to be killed by someone. 00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:20.000 In fact, he thinks the danger will come from just about anywhere. 00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:33.680 Now, what we can assume from the fact that we are still very early on in the history of mankind is that as yet the human population is rather sparse. 00:27:33.920 --> 00:27:37.200 Growing, yes, but rather sparse. 00:27:37.440 --> 00:27:45.200 Therefore, it is not out of the question to assume that almost everyone knows everyone else. 00:27:45.359 --> 00:27:51.839 And as a matter of fact, almost everyone knows who's directly related to who. 00:27:52.559 --> 00:28:00.720 Family relationships this early on must have been a big factor in community organizations. 00:28:01.200 --> 00:28:11.119 Perhaps what Cain is saying is that Abel's relations will all be against him and would want to seek vengeance upon him. 00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:21.440 Everyone who was related to or connected to him in some profitable way would want Cain dead for what he's done. 00:28:21.680 --> 00:28:28.799 The thought of that possibility is maybe what's preying on Cain's mind in this moment. 00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:32.319 Everyone that findeth me shall slay me. 00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:34.960 So God responded. 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:44.720 Now, as the King James says, therefore, but the King James says, therefore, but I think the NIV is more accurate. 00:28:45.039 --> 00:28:48.319 There we read, not therefore, but not so. 00:28:48.720 --> 00:28:50.880 The NIV says, not so. 00:28:51.119 --> 00:28:53.200 Anyone who kills Cain, etc. 00:28:53.440 --> 00:28:55.839 Now we'll get to the rest of that in a second. 00:28:56.079 --> 00:29:02.640 I just wanted to explain that the Hebrew allows for the little phrase not so. 00:29:02.799 --> 00:29:15.920 And I think it's much more sensible, and it clears up a little of the King James fogginess of this passage if we use not so instead of therefore. 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:22.640 Cain is worried that everyone is going to want to kill him, and God says, not so. 00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:24.960 That's not going to happen. 00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:27.680 Put that thought out of your head. 00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:45.920 God is making clear to Cain that he himself is the only real offended party here, though those others may be related physically to the murdered man, or they're somehow damaged by his loss. 00:29:46.240 --> 00:29:51.519 Only God has the right to exact judgment for the offense. 00:29:51.839 --> 00:29:58.720 Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, is the famous statement from much later in the Bible. 00:29:58.960 --> 00:30:01.359 So, Cain, not so. 00:30:01.519 --> 00:30:07.039 You're not going to be murdered in response to this dastardly deed you've committed. 00:30:07.279 --> 00:30:12.000 If anyone tries it, they're going to suffer severe consequences. 00:30:12.160 --> 00:30:17.279 Just because you've committed murder doesn't mean it's okay to murder you. 00:30:17.920 --> 00:30:19.119 Listen to me. 00:30:19.440 --> 00:30:25.279 No one is the exactor of God's judgment except God Himself. 00:30:25.599 --> 00:30:31.039 Now, I'm I'm only going to wade in this next topic briefly. 00:30:31.440 --> 00:30:38.880 Some have said that this shows that God does not approve of capital punishment. 00:30:39.440 --> 00:30:50.960 Well, my opinion of that opinion, I guess, is that you're reading something into this that is clearly contradicted in other parts of Scripture. 00:30:51.119 --> 00:31:01.119 If your theory about any verse contradicts any other verse, think again, go somewhere else, because that is not what's going to happen. 00:31:01.440 --> 00:31:05.680 I do believe God approves of capital punishment. 00:31:05.920 --> 00:31:08.160 That is clearly found in the Bible. 00:31:08.319 --> 00:31:11.759 And not too far from now, we'll find that out from for sure. 00:31:12.000 --> 00:31:15.680 Sometime in Genesis, we will see that come up again. 00:31:15.839 --> 00:31:20.319 Now, I'm not going to demonstrate that to you because it's really not my point. 00:31:20.880 --> 00:31:25.359 But you may say, then why does Cain get a free pass? 00:31:26.240 --> 00:31:28.079 Well, we aren't told. 00:31:28.319 --> 00:31:30.079 And let me say it again. 00:31:30.400 --> 00:31:37.279 I think it's because Cain is still relevant somehow to God's plans for the moment. 00:31:37.440 --> 00:31:42.160 Listen, God doesn't have a lot of people with which to work at this point. 00:31:42.640 --> 00:31:45.759 Knocking people out left and right isn't going to help him. 00:31:46.079 --> 00:32:01.119 Either this man or one of his future children will play an important role in the unfolding of the purpose of redemption, even if we aren't told what that role is or who that person is. 00:32:02.640 --> 00:32:06.720 Well then, why tell us that he spared Cain? 00:32:07.359 --> 00:32:14.240 Well, because every opportunity God gets, he's going to remind us that he's the boss. 00:32:14.319 --> 00:32:17.599 And he doesn't need our consent for anything. 00:32:17.920 --> 00:32:24.880 Our logic does not have to line up with his logic, or his logic doesn't have to line up with ours. 00:32:25.200 --> 00:32:27.759 He knows far more than we do. 00:32:28.079 --> 00:32:32.480 God knows what he's doing, and he doesn't need our help. 00:32:34.160 --> 00:32:44.640 I think he presents these sort of confounding statements to us to make sure we remember that our ways are not his ways. 00:32:45.200 --> 00:32:53.119 And that what he does, he does without need to consult anyone, least of all the likes of mankind. 00:32:53.519 --> 00:33:01.759 And anyone that gets in his way, anyone gets in the way of the way of the things he wants will be dealt with severely. 00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:08.559 Whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. 00:33:08.720 --> 00:33:10.160 I'll say it again. 00:33:10.480 --> 00:33:13.920 We have a lot to learn from the book of Genesis. 00:33:16.079 --> 00:33:20.000 But I think we should probably call it a night at this point. 00:33:20.240 --> 00:33:24.000 The complexity of this situation, we have a lot more to talk about. 00:33:24.160 --> 00:33:27.759 The complexity doesn't decrease from here on. 00:33:27.920 --> 00:33:36.559 So, in the interest of maintaining a sharp focus for what lies ahead, how about we stop here and pick it up next time? 00:33:36.720 --> 00:33:42.319 Give our brains a rest and start afresh at our next get together. 00:33:42.480 --> 00:33:43.039 All right? 00:33:43.359 --> 00:33:44.319 See you then. 00:33:47.119 --> 00:33:49.359 We hope this study has blessed you. 00:33:49.599 --> 00:33:59.519 God's word is a great treasure, and it's our belief that a thorough, purposeful study of it will bring all of God's children to an understanding of his eternal plan of redemption. 00:34:00.079 --> 00:34:03.279 It is our prayer that this will be so for all of our listeners. 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