Genesis 4 … Consider His Goodness

Originally posted: 01/04/2019

Genesis 4 is a chapter of contrasts: Life and Death; Birth and Murder; Mercy and Revenge; Holy and Sinful; Good and Evil; God and Man.

And against the backdrop of a fallen world and man’s sinfulness, we get an amazing glimpse of the Goodness of God!

Goodness: the quality or state of being good: morally excellent; virtuous; kind, beneficent or friendly; honorable or worthy; genuine; sufficient, ample; reliable, dependable, responsible…

This is only a partial list of all that defines the word “good.” And the reality of God’s Goodness is an infinite theme with an inadequate amount of words or thoughts to fully describe. But with our finite minds…

Let’s Consider His Goodness!

• His Goodness… He gave Eve sons.
  • and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have gotten a manchild with the help of the Lord.” ² Again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground, (4:1-2).

• His Goodness… He had regard for Abel’s offering.
  • Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and for his offering, (4:4).

• His Goodness… He warned Cain, offering a way of escape: master the sin crouching at his door!
  • “If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it,” (4:7).

• His Goodness… He provided opportunity for Cain to confess his crime.
  • Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” And he said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” (4:9).

• His Goodness… He punished Cain. Goodness cannot allow evil to go unchecked.
  • Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand, (4:11).

• His Goodness…He protected Cain, the murderer, from man’s revenge.
  • So the Lord said to him, “Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him, (4:15).

• His Goodness…He comforted Eve with another son.
  • Adam had relations with his wife again; and she gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, for, she said, “God has appointed me another offspring in place of Abel, for Cain killed him,” (4:25).

• His Goodness…He gave men the desire to call upon the name of the Lord.
  • To Seth, to him also a son was born; and he called his name Enosh. Then men began to call upon the name of the Lord, (4:26).

God is so Good! How can we respond to His Goodness?

• Let us thank Him for His Good gifts.
  • …in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus, (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

• Let us obey Him.
  • …to obey is better than sacrifice, (1 Samuel 15:22).
    • Surely Abel’s offering had more to do with his heart condition than with what he offered. Obedience finds its root in our hearts.

• Let us heed His warnings and take His way of escape!
  • No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it, (1 Corinthians 10:13).

• Let us determine to confess when we sin.
  • I acknowledged my sin to You,
    And my iniquity I did not hide;
    I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”;
    And You forgave the guilt of my sin, (Psalm 32:5).
    

• Let us leave vengeance in His Good and capable hands.
  • Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord, (Romans 12:19).

• When life is difficult, let us trust that God is Good and He will provide.
  • God is our refuge and strength,
    A very present help in trouble, (Psalm 46:1).

• Let us call upon His Good and Holy Name!
  • Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name;
    Make known His deeds among the peoples, (Psalm 105:1).
  • “Our Father who is in heaven,
    Hallowed be Your name,” (Matthew 6:9).
    

Let’s Grow Together!