Topical Bible: Anger: Sinful: Cain

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In the biblical narrative, Cain is a prominent figure whose account is often cited as an example of sinful anger leading to grave consequences. The account of Cain and his brother Abel is found in Genesis 4:1-16. Cain, the firstborn son of Adam and Eve, becomes the archetype of sinful anger when he allows his emotions to lead him into committing the first murder recorded in Scripture.

The account begins with Cain and Abel bringing offerings to the Lord. Abel, a keeper of sheep, offers the firstborn of his flock, while Cain, a tiller of the ground, presents an offering of the fruit of the soil. The Lord regards Abel and his offering with favor, but He does not look with favor upon Cain and his offering. This divine preference incites Cain's anger and jealousy. Genesis 4:5-6 states, "So Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. Then the LORD said to Cain, 'Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen?'"

God's inquiry into Cain's anger serves as a warning and an opportunity for repentance. The Lord continues in Genesis 4:7 , "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it." Here, God personifies sin as a predatory force, emphasizing the need for self-control and righteousness.

Despite this warning, Cain's anger festers, leading him to commit a heinous act. In Genesis 4:8 , "Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let us go out to the field.' And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him." This act of fratricide is a direct result of Cain's unchecked anger and jealousy, illustrating how sinful anger can lead to destructive actions.

The aftermath of Cain's sin is severe. The Lord confronts Cain, asking, "Where is your brother Abel?" to which Cain responds with defiance, "I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?" (Genesis 4:9). God then pronounces judgment on Cain, declaring that the ground, which received Abel's blood, will no longer yield its strength to Cain. He is condemned to be a restless wanderer on the earth (Genesis 4:11-12).

Cain's account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing anger to control one's actions. It highlights the importance of heeding divine warnings and mastering one's emotions to avoid the destructive path of sin. The narrative underscores the biblical principle that unchecked anger can lead to severe consequences, both spiritually and relationally.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 4:5,6
But to Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Epistle of Judas
... Remember the terrible warnings against such a sinful course in ... contempt for angels
which excites the anger of Judas ... they go the road of Cain, rush into Balaam's ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the epistle of judas.htm

Meditations against Despair, or Doubting of God's Mercy.
... and addest unto those the sins of Cain and Judas ... And why doth Christ enjoin thee,
who art but sinful man, to ... and swallows for the fear of God's anger (Isaiah 38 ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations against despair or doubting.htm

"Now the End of the Commandment," &C.
... and the conscience subscribed itself sinful, and concluded ... but lying at the door
like Cain's, and shall ... Anger, grief, hatred, despair, always dwell with an ill ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xii now the end.htm

Jesus Confined in the Subterranean Prison.
... he was about to endure, and be tempted to impatience or anger. ... opening his mouth;
and it was man, sinful man, who ... he might not be seen, for like Cain he sought ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xii jesus confined in.htm

Chapter iv
... have displayed sorrow over his sin rather than anger over the ... the danger is made
fully apparent to Cain, and the ... this point does not imply that a sinful man of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter iv.htm

Acts 17:26 "One Blood. "
... fact that creation, the serpent, the fall, Cain and Abel ... But to tell sinful, dying
men and women, with the ... We ought to put away from us anger, wrath, malice ...
/.../the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter vi acts 17 26 one.htm

A Treatise against the Heretic Novatian by an Anonymous Bishop.
... the prophet, in the person of the sinful people, prays ... for I have sinned." [5384]
At once the anger of God ... he began to practise that heresy of Cain which only ...
/.../a treatise against the heretic.htm

The Fourth Season,
... evil of suffering; but as this sinful fear has ... as a lion." It was guilt in Cain's
conscience that ... into spiritual channels; to turn natural anger into spiritual ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/iv the fourth season.htm

Endurance
... is, never injured his own cause by anger or revenge ... work; and are needful, doubtless,
in a sinful, piecemeal world ... for the same simple reason that Cain rose up ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon xxi endurance.htm

Watch-Night Service
... Some of you, like Cain, have the mark of justice on your very brow ... Who knoweth the
power of thine anger? ... been some older than you can be; some as sinful and vile ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/watch-night service.htm