Genesis 4:1-8 Cain and Abel CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

There are a number of comparisons that can be made between Cain and Abel. The distinctions show the differences between:

1. Acceptable and unacceptable sacrifices

2. Proud and humble motives

3. Christ and the Antichrist

4. The lines of Christ and the Antichrist

Acceptable sacrifice

Abel’s Sacrifice

1. Blood was shed

2. The Lamb had to die

3. The death was a substitute

Unacceptable Sacrifice

Cain’s Sacrifice

1. Bloodless

2. Fruit of his own labor

3. From the cursed ground

Assurance that Abel’s sacrifice was accepted

Abel’s Sacrifice was accepted by fire

1. Lev. 9:24 Aaron’s first offerings were consumed by fire

2. Jud. 6:21 Gideon’s offerings were consumed by fire

3. 1 Ki. 18:38 Elijah’s offering was consumed by fire

4. 1 Chr. 21:26 David’s offerings were consumed by fire

5. 2 Chr. 7:1 Solomon’s offering was consumed by fire

Humble Motives

Abel’s sacrifice was motivated by:

1. Faith – Heb. 11:4

2. A desire to be accepted by God– Gen. 4:7

3. Humility as a result of the way God dealt with his parents – Gen. 3:21

4. A desire to be accounted righteous by the Lord – Matt. 23:35

5. He pictures a man saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ – Eph. 2:8,9

Proud Motives

Cain’s sacrifice was motivated by:

1. A desire to profess his Self-righteousness

2. A desire to get God to accept his Works – 1 Jn. 3:12

3. Pride as a result of the way Adam & Eve dealt with God – Gen. 3:7

4. He pictures a religious man trying to get to heaven by his good works – Tit. 3:5

5. This is what the Bible calls “the way of Cain,” (Jude 11)

Abel – a type of Christ

Abel pictures Jesus Christ

1. Both were Shepherds 4:2; Jn. 10

2. Both offered a lamb for a sacrifice 4:4; Eph. 5:2

3. Both were hated by their brothers 4:5,8; Jn. 15:25

4. Both were killed out of envy 4:5,6; Matt. 27:18

5. Both were murdered 4:8; Acts 2:23

6. Both of their murderers were punished 4:11-13; Mk. 12:9

Cain – a type of the antichrist

Cain pictures the Antichrist

1. Both are “seeds” of the devil (Gen. 3:15; 1 Jn. 3:12; 2 Thes. 2:3)

2. Both have “marks: (4:15; Rev. 13:13-18)

3. Both are murderers and liars (Jn. 8:44; Rev. 13:14,15)

4. Both are cursed (4:11; Ps. 109: 17,18; Matt. 25:41)

Abel is in the line of Christ

Abel is in the line of Shepherds

1. Abraham

2. Isaac

3. Jacob

4. Judah

5. Moses

6. David

7. Jesus Christ

Cain is in the line of the antichrist

Cain’s is in the bad line of iron men

1. His name means “Iron Spear”

2. Og, King of Bashan, Deut. 3:11

3. Egyptians, the iron furnace, Deut. 4:20

4. Murderers, Num. 35:16

5. Goliath, 1 Sam. 17:7

6. Ten Kings ruling with the Antichrist, Dan. 2:40-44

7. The soldier who pierced Jesus, Jn. 19:34