Genesis 4:15-- The Power of God's Mercy and Grace

" But the Lord said to him, “Not so..." [Genesis 4:15 NIV] 

Let me say, I love studying the Word of God especially the Book of Genesis. Most have read or at least heard of the sons Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel. We know Cain murdered Abel, his younger brother but how many of us recognize the power of God's Mercy and Grace in this tragedy. There are indeed many hidden mysteries as well divine principles found in this recounting of Cain and Abel, however, none as marvelous as the power of God's Mercy and Grace.

What an overwhelming feeling of rejection Cain must have felt to even contemplate--
let alone carry the murder of his kid brother. I know we that have siblings understand there are times that anger, feuding and rivalry seep into our relationship but to be driven to the point of murder is not a thing we can relate.

Think of all great works that came from famous brothers, the Wright Brothers, The Hansons, The Isleys, Wayans, Winans, The Jacksons. The Jonases, The Baldwins; well you get the point. They indeed have highs and lows but murder--UNTHINKABLE.

Perhaps, if we understood the position of favor that Cain enjoyed in the sight of God even before his birth or presenting of offerings we might have a glimpse at how truly marvelous God's love is. We may also understand that sin solely exists to make us feel rejected by the very God that so loves us that He redeems us from all of our unthinkable acts. 

Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain.She said, “With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man. [Genesis 4:1 NIV]   If you have ever been in a place in life that you knew if God had not helped YOU it would have been over--then you fully understand what a blessing Cain was. He represents restoration.  Look a little deeper at Cain's life to understand that he enjoyed a solid relationship with God, and his family.   

The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.  When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you.You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.”  [Genesis 4:10-12 NIV] 

Notice Cain is cursed similarly to his father Adam. To me this signals Cain was not living cursed like Adam until he committed his own sin. The works of his hands and his exile are subjected to God's judgement but God's mercifully and graciously spares Cain's life. Cain's made a conscious decision to not obey God's instruction on how to control his emotions and to master sin. Both of which are things we today lack the capacity to do; control our emotions and master sin. This why the Cain spirit is so dangerous because it refuses to submit and exercise authority. That unchecked Cain spirit kills. God told Cain it would but Cain allowed his sin to run the show. The fact of the matter regarding sin is it is obvious: Galatians 5:19-21 points out and confirms the very thing God warned Cain about, fits of rage, anger, dissension, and jealousy simply stand out.  We see God giving Cain counsel and remedy:

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?  If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” [Genesis 4:6-7 NIV]

God is a promise keeper and His power to keep you is never-ending. He helped Eve and she brought forth a man-Cain. God could have repaid Cain's sin by taking his life but He said, 'not so' and Cain knew then the Great God that not only spared his life but protected him. There are many more things I would share concerning this dynamic and explosive example of God's grace and mercy. We all know truthfully there is a bit of Cain's spirit in us and sin is ever present at our door trying to make good on its desire to have us but we must rule over it. In this way we love and honor God. I would that we all think on these words, " But the Lord said to him, “Not so..." [Genesis 4:15 NIV]  Can you think of some pivotal places in your life when you let sin desires to have you win but God said, not so..?

Please share this post, this blog because there are many who feel deeply rejected by the very one who so loves them that He said "Not so..." They need to be encouraged and maybe you can be the one to encourage them to do 'right' because you learned to master the sin crouching at your door. We overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and words of our testimony. Help someone overcome and discover who's they are by knowing who they are.