Anger - Warning

    

     In Genesis chapter four we read the story about Cain and Abel bringing an offering before the Lord.  Cain was a farmer and tended the soil; whereas Abel was a herdsman and tended animals.  Each career path provided an opportunity for sacrificial giving.  Both sons of Adam brought offerings before the Lord.  We learn in verse three that Cain offered the fruit of the ground and Abel brought the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions.  God's response for each offering differed.  It is safe to assume that God was not evaluating the value of meat over fruits and vegetables.  The English Standard Version says, "the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard."  Replace the word regard with favor, respect, or approval if that provides better comprehension.

      From outward appearances, it may seem that one brother was treated unfairly by God's response to his offering.  If we had been standing on the sidelines observing Cain and Abel's offering, we might have noticed a difference in quality or quantity, but what humankind cannot easily see is the heart condition of the giver.  In 1 Samuel 16:7b we read, "For the LORD sees not as man sees:  man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart."   From a language standpoint, one may assume that "some fruit of the ground" given by Cain doesn't match up to Abel's "firstborn of his flock as well as their fat portion" offering. How are we to interpret this language when we do not see that a standard of giving had yet been established by God?  The Firstfruits offering was not initiated until Leviticus 23, well after the time Cain brought his offering to the LORD.   He was not being held accountable for an unspoken expectation for the type of gift he was giving, but for his attitude toward God. 

     What if the story changed slightly, what if Cain and Abel had not been able to compare their offerings before the LORD.  Do you think Cain would have still been angry when God rejected his offering?  Was Cain’s anger motivated by jealousy?  Or was it driven by pride in his refusal to evaluate his own heart condition?  Why was it important for God to ask him why he was angry?    God knew the answer, but he wanted to make sure Cain knew it too.  God was trying to help Cain understand his motivation for anger.    The jealous comparison to his brother's offering was just a front.  It was easier for him to look outside than evaluate himself.  This trait must have been handed down from his dad, who had justified his actions at the expense of his wife.  Or could he have acquired it from his mother who had pointed a finger at the serpent?   Could Cain overcome the sin-bend by owning the reason he was angry?  Acknowledging our unbecoming attitudes is far harder than humbling our spirit.  Isn’t it the same with us?  Caught in the act, like children, isn’t it easier to justify ourselves and blame others, rather than to change our attitude?  I remember getting in trouble for this repeatedly as a child.  Where do you think Cain’s anger would have rested if not on his brother Abel?

     God noticed that because of Cain’s anger his face was downcast.  Genesis 4:5 is the first time we see the emotion of anger in humankind.  Up to this point, we have only been introduced to shame and fear.  God's question "Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?" teaches us that our emotions are evident on the face and not just hidden in our hearts.  He is trying to help Cain identify what is in his heart.  Have you ever talked with a child and tried to help them identify their emotions?  "You might ask questions like,  “why are you sad?”, Or “why are you mad?”.  How easy is it for them to answer?  God wasn’t guessing; He knew what Cain was feeling.  When we learn how to identify our emotions and evaluate their root cause, it may be easier to use them as a warning system to choose the right path.  

     God warned Cain, "If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up?"  Genesis 4:7a (NASB).  In other words, God is telling Cain to master his emotions by changing his own disposition.  Then God warns, "but if you do not do well, sin is crouching at your door, it's desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it." Genesis 4:7b (ESV)  His warning is saying, "sin wants to get the best of you."    God is giving Cain two options:  (1)  You can have an offering do-over which will change your disposition, or (2) you can stay angry and let it lead you to sin.  In other words, change your attitude, get better, don't change your attitude, pay the consequences.  It is often the same warning we give to our children.  Proverbs 29:11 says, "A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back."

      A lesson that I can extrapolate from this story is to recognize the danger of not addressing “out-of-control” emotions, like anger, when it arises.  Changing one's countenance, or attitude is entirely in our control, but when we ignore our responsibility, there will be a price to pay.  Anger generally has an object; it is either pointed at someone or something.  We love to justify this emotion.  Cain pointed his anger toward his brother Abel, and through the conclusion of this story, he kills his brother and, he never repents nor feels remorse for his wrongdoing.  He does, however, complain to God that the punishment is too harsh for him to bear.  Sin darkens the heart of man.  In sin, we like Cain, will justify our actions.  James, the brother of Jesus, reveals, "know this, my beloved brothers:  let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God."  James 1:19–20 (ESV) Anger that is left unaddressed will lead to sin.