Cain and Abel Bible Study

The First Book of Moses Called Genesis
Chapter 4

Who Are Cain and Abel Bible Study
Cain and Abel Bible Story Research

It's a joy to have you back with us at Daily Bread. We have looked at the story of Creation and learned about Adam and Eve ... So now, let's talk about two of their children named Cain and Abel. Two sons that were born to Adam and Eve were named Cain and Abel. Most people call this story Cain and Abel because Cain was older but because of how the story turns out, I thought it best to change the title to Abel and Cain. Let's see if you agree.

Cain was a gardener or a farmer and Abel was a shepherd tending the sheep. At that time, they would bring sacrifices to God to show their love for Him. One time, Cain gave God a gift, or a sacrifice, of the fruit he grew. Abel gave God one of the very best of his flock. God was very happy with Abel's gift, but he wasn't very pleased with Cain's gift.

You may ask yourself, why did God like Abel's gift more than Cain's? Perhaps it didn't mean anything one way or another to Cain that he gave up some fruit for God, or perhaps it did. Many gardeners and farmers would attest that the fruits of their labor is precious. Now imagine Abel having a favorite little lamb and choosing to sacrifice it because he loved God more? Abel must have loved that little lamb a lot for God to be so delighted with the gift.

So, perhaps this was not the case. Abel's calling was to be a shepherd. Naturally, the best of his flock would be the sacrifice Abel would offer. Likewise perhaps, Cain's calling was to be a farmer. Naturally, the best of his crops would be the sacrifice Cain would offer. Who is to say that Cain's offering meant less to him than Abel's offering meant to him? We aren't afforded that information in this story, but if we research the Bible a little bit, we find that:

Who Are Cain and Abel Bible Study Warning
Cain and Abel Bible Story Danger

It may be that something Cain did in the past, or perhaps his lifestyle was unacceptable in the eyes of God, therefore, his sacrifice was unacceptable as well. Again, this is an assumption, because we aren't given such detail in the Bible, but it is something to ponder, and it is not beyond reason.

At any rate, all of this made Cain very jealous, so one day out in the field, he killed his brother Abel.

Now, God could hear the blood of Abel crying out from the earth, and knew what had happened so He asked Cain, Where is your brother Abel? And Cain sassed God back, lying and saying, I don't know with the words, "Am I my brother's keeper?"

This angered the Lord and He said to Cain, I know you killed Abel. To punish you for what you've done, I will cause anything you plant not to grow. You will be a drifter, and run from place to place because you will not have a home and you will hide your face from me.

Cain begged God not to punish him so harshly. He pleaded with God, because he knew that anyone who found him would try and kill him. So God put a mark on Cain to protect him from being killed, and said that anyone who tried to kill Cain would be punished seven times as much.

Adam and Eve had another son named Seth which carried on the bloodline.

Who Are Cain and Abel Bible Study Summary
Cain and Abel Bible Story Conclusion

Bible stories are the best for helping us to think about our own lives. Does the Lord find us acceptable, and therefore find our sacrifices acceptable? How often do we find ourselves being selfish with our sacrifices to God? That's right we are to give sacrifices to God. Not out of obligation but out of Love. He has said He does not want us to go out and slaughter an animal that is already His, just cuz Abel did. What Abel did he did from his heart. What God wants is for us to sacrifice our time and to Love one another willingly. Not much to ask huh? Make sure you return to Daily Bread and look for the next study ... Noah's Ark.