OUR CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE JOURNEY 2011 - DAY 2

Genesis 4:1-5:32 ~ 1 Chronicles 1:1-4 ~ Genesis 6:1-22
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ 


In Genesis chapter 4, we read about the first murder of humankind - Cain killing his own brother Abel in a premeditative way.  This is a clear demonstration of The Fall and how sin lives in the hearts of men and women, and that redemption and forgiveness can only come through faith in Jesus and through God's grace.  So why didn't God look with favor on Cain's offering?  Maybe because it was a careless or thoughtless offering, whereas Abel's offering was a choice or generous offering.  God saw the motivation and heart attitude of both men as they brought their offerings.  It seems that God was looking straight into Cain's heart as he says this in verses 6 and 7: "Why are you so angry?" the LORD asked him. "Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you respond in the right way. But if you refuse to respond correctly, then watch out! Sin is waiting to attack and destroy you, and you must subdue it."  That is a scary thought - sin waiting to attack and destroy.  In the NIV it translates "sin is crouching at your door."  Let us be watchful and prayerful to not be overtaken by sin, but to respond correctly to the grace and strength given us through Jesus.  Below is a modern image by an unknown artist of Cain just after killing Abel.  Do you see the contrast of light & dark and which way Cain is facing? This is a powerful image to consider...:

In Genesis chapter 5 we read about the genealogy from Adam to Noah.  The long life spans of people are often interpreted to be either literal or symbolic.   Those who believe these ages in this genealogy are literal believe this is the case because of a few reasons: 

1. The human race was more genetically pure in this early time period, so diseases did not shorten life spans;
2. No rain had yet fallen on the earth - until the next chapter - so the expanse of water above the earth protected people from environmental factors; and/or
3. God gave people longer life spans so they would have time to fill the earth - per Genesis 1:28.

Chapter 6 verses 5 & 6 states: "Now the LORD observed the extent of the people's wickedness, and he saw that all their thoughts were consistently and totally evil.  So the LORD was sorry he had ever made them. It broke his heart."  I think it was this last sentence that really stood out to me - It broke his heart.  God's heart was broken over our behavior.  I love realizing that God has this type of compassion and care for what we do.  What we do matters to God!  When we are obedient and faithful and loving, God rejoices!  When we are not, it breaks his heart.  I hope it encourages you to know that God did not just create you and doesn't really care whether you do well in this life - he is rooting for you!  He wants you to run the race well and receive the prize!

"Noah's Ark" by American folk painter Edward Hicks, 1846.

Prayer Point: Pray that you won't ever be overtaken by anger. Pray that you do what is right. Pray that you won't ever let the sin crouching at your door have you. Pray that you will rule over it, through your saving relationship with Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Today's readings in Genesis about Noah and the flood reminded me of the older Jars of Clay song called "Flood." Above is a live version of this song.  God bless you!


Adapted with permission from The Chronological Bible Blog.