By Faith (Hebrews 11) & Genesis 4 (Cain & Abel)

By faith...Abel was murdered by his brother because of his faith, because Abel loved God and gave him the best of what he possessed. Cain, on the other hand, gave God a portion (not the best) of what he had, became filled with jealousy and was overcome by sin, and murdered his brother. Yet, it was Cain that lived and Abel that had died.

God could have saved Abel and sent an angel to prevent his death, couldn't He? God heard Abel's cries from the ground. The LORD had regard for Abel. So why didn't God prevent Abel's death? Why was Cain able to live his life and get married and have children?

"And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks." I don't know if Abel tried to fight his brother, whether he struggled against his brother when Cain was killing him (although Genesis 4 tells us that Cain rose up against his brother...). Abel's death foreshadows Christ's death. Christ was perfect yet he was killed. Jesus didn't struggle when he was attacked by his enemies but died without a fight so that He can speak.

Interestingly, God seeks after Cain and asks him what he did to Abel. God does not kill Cain but sends him away to the land of Nod and puts a mark on Cain so no one can kill him. God punishes Cain yet He allows him to live. Is God forsaking Cain, and Cain has to live a life without God? But from Cain's family line, the great Noah is born.

I think I need to do more research on this but I'm learning that God doesn't forsake his people. Cain is severely punished but God doesn't stop loving Cain. I think God is giving Cain time to reflect and repent so that he can be right with God again. The Bible doesn't tell us if Cain ever repented, but the last verse of Genesis 4 states that the people began to call upon the name of the LORD.

^"6And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."