Topical Bible: The First Born: Superseded: Cain

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Introduction

Cain, the firstborn son of Adam and Eve, holds a significant place in biblical history as the first human born after the creation. His account, however, is marked by tragedy and serves as a profound lesson on sin, jealousy, and the consequences of disobedience to God. The narrative of Cain is primarily found in Genesis 4, where his actions lead to the first murder recorded in Scripture.

Birth and Early Life

Cain's birth is recorded in Genesis 4:1: "Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, 'With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man.'" As the firstborn, Cain would have been expected to carry on the family lineage and assume a leadership role among his siblings. His name, which means "acquired" or "possessed," reflects Eve's acknowledgment of God's role in his birth.

The Offering and Rejection

Cain and his brother Abel both brought offerings to the LORD. Cain, a farmer, presented "some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD" (Genesis 4:3). Abel, a shepherd, brought "the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions" (Genesis 4:4). The LORD looked with favor on Abel's offering but did not regard Cain's offering with the same favor. This rejection led to Cain's anger and jealousy.

The First Murder

God, seeing Cain's anger, warned him: "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 to have you, but you must rule over it" (Genesis 4:7). Despite this warning, Cain lured Abel into the field and killed him, committing the first murder (Genesis 4:8).

Divine Judgment and Consequences

Following Abel's murder, the LORD confronted Cain, asking, "Where is your brother Abel?" to which Cain famously replied, "I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?" (Genesis 4:9). God pronounced judgment on Cain, declaring that the ground would no longer yield its strength to him and that he would be a restless wanderer on the earth (Genesis 4:11-12). Cain lamented his punishment, fearing that others would kill him, but God placed a mark on Cain to protect him from being slain (Genesis 4:15).

Legacy and Supersession

Cain's legacy is one of warning. His actions and the resulting consequences illustrate the destructive power of sin and the importance of obedience to God. Despite being the firstborn, Cain's role was superseded by Seth, another son of Adam and Eve, through whom the godly lineage continued (Genesis 4:25-26). The New Testament further reflects on Cain's actions, contrasting them with the righteousness of Abel (Hebrews 11:4) and warning against following in Cain's footsteps (1 John 3:12).

Conclusion

Cain's account serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of heeding God's warnings. His life, marked by jealousy and violence, stands in contrast to the faithfulness and righteousness that God desires from His people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 4:4,5
And Abel, he also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect to Abel and to his offering:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Period iii. The Critical Period: AD 140 to AD 200
... unborn Father, that from him in turn was born the Logos ... that some of these belong
to the first, others to ... and the psychic [or animal]; such were Cain, Abel, and ...
/.../a source book for ancient church history/period iii the critical period .htm

The Second Epistle of St. Peter
... of the OT, claiming revelations which superseded the prophets ... animals, creatures
of mere instinct, born for capture ... The first charge is repeated from Judas (8 ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the second epistle of st.htm

Notes
... seems to have been the earlier, but was superseded by that ... At Rome, during the first
three centuries, the dead were laid in ... "Laurentius was born into eternity ...
//christianbookshelf.org/prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/notes.htm

Questions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day ...
... The Jewish passover and Sabbaths are superseded; Christ our passover is slain ... on
which his Son was both begotten and born, and became the first fruits to ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/questions about the nature and.htm

An Essay on the Scriptural Doctrine of Immortality.
... a wicked heart," and that all who are born of him ... the power of Satan would prevail
at first, and for ... as signifying that the Old Testament is superseded by the ...
/.../an essay on the scriptural.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... nations, Israel included, back to Cain, and he ... to the contribution of the first,
certain details ... that the theological instinct has superseded popular enthusiasm ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm