Cain

Our Last Article looked at Abel and showed that even though there are no recorded words for him, his blood “cried unto God from the ground.” Abel’s powerful example spoke louder than words – and continues to speak to us today.

Cain’s complaint

Cain’s final words were quite lengthy. He complained, “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” (Gen. 4:14). This showed his lack of faith and trust in God. He saw himself as vulnerable, unable to protect himself, and not willing to accept the consequences of his sin. So Cain “went out from the presence [Heb. face] of God.” Cain turned his back on God. Why would he do this? He felt that he had been “driven out” by God, but why not seek forgiveness, and beg to stay near God if he was so worried about others killing him?

The answer is in the premise Cain makes in his final words: “My punishment is greater than I can bear” (Gen. 4:13). Perhaps there is a note in your Bible which gives the alternate rendering: “Mine iniquity is greater than that it may be forgiven.” This gives us insight into Cain’s thought process. He felt that his sin was too great to be forgiven. He did not believe God was able to forgive him, and by limiting God’s grace and mercy he was standing in the way of his own forgiveness!

No confidence in God

The word “punishment” in verse 13 is often translated “iniquity” or “sin,” and the word “bear” has the idea of being “borne away” and is often used in the sense of forgiveness. Both of these words are used in Psalm 32:1­2 in this alternate way: “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.”

The word “forgiven” in verse 1 is the same Hebrew word as “bear” in Cain’s last words, and the word “iniquity” in verse 2 is the same Hebrew word as “punishment” in Cain’s words. So the alternate (marginal) rendering of Genesis 4:13 is perhaps the better one! Cain’s last words were: “Mine iniquity is greater than that it may be forgiven.”

He had no grace and expected none

We can see that Cain’s attitude toward God and his perspective of God expressed in his last words is completely faulty. He obviously misunderstood God. Firstly, he had refused to worship God in the prescribed manner, and now, after his greater sin (murder), he did not appreciate God’s abundant grace. He had worshipped “his own way” and now reacts to God as he would have reacted to anyone who had sinned against him. He would not have shown mercy to others, and so assumes God would not be merciful, either! This left him with no alternative but to leave God’s presence. Cain’s attitude is echoed in the words of the one-talent man in the parable of the talents: “I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown.. .And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent…” (Matt. 25:24-25).

No humility

The Bible clearly shows that we need to confess our sins if we want forgiveness. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9). Cain was unwilling to do this. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” was his stubborn response to God. If we do not ask for forgiveness, we will not get it. “I’m too wicked for God to forgive me” is false humility and an excuse to continue in sin. It’s pride in sheep’s clothing. It is self pity that leads only to death — a sorrow that is based on the shame of getting caught and the fear of the consequences that may follow. It has nothing to do with the sadness one feels because God’s laws have been transgressed, or a desire to repent and turn again to God. Cain acts entirely out of self-interest and self-focus – he cares only about himself.

The lesson to us

Unlike Cain, we must NEVER limit God. His mercy is boundless – and He can remove our sins as far as east is from west. “For Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation.. .but the sorrow of the world worketh death” (II Cor. 7:10).

The lesson from Cain’s “Famous Last Words” is to never let pride or self pity stand in the way of our own forgiveness.