What happened? Things were perfect in the Garden and then Adam and Eve sinned by eating fruit which God had told them not to eat. Only one generation later, murder had crept into the human race. Cain killed his brother.
Genesis 4:1-26 tells this story. Cain was jealous that his brother, Abel's, sacrifice was accepted and his was not. In fact, the text shows that more than their sacrifices were judged; they were judged themselves. Cain was rejected, but God told him that he would be accepted if he did right. Sin was waiting to ambush Cain and master him but Cain should master sin.
As the story goes, Cain did not master sin. He killed Abel. God confronted him about his sin and Cain did not take responsibility. God banished Cain but put a mark upon him so that he would not be killed in retaliation. Cain left for the land of Nod (which means 'wandering') and there he built a city. Even in his line we see that there can be good things but also that there is violence as evidenced by Lamech's song.
Even after all of this, there is still hope. Adam and Eve have another son, Seth. The line of promise resulting in Abraham and the nation of Israel would come through him.
What can we learn from this story? There are several things. We must be sure that we are mastering sin in our lives. It waits to ambush us when we are least aware, but we must overcome. Sin has consequences. Cain found this out as he was driven from his family's presence and away from God. His progeny even took part in violence. Finally, God will keep his promises. We cannot thwart his purposes. He is always faithful.
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