Justice, Vengeance, and Mercy

1 Justice, Vengeance, and Mercy Printed Text genesis 4:1 16. Devotional Reading Hebrews 2:14 18. Aim for Change By the end of this lesson, we will EXPLORE God's justice in the face of human sinfulness; REFLECT on the dangers of allowing sin to control us; and REPENT of thoughts and actions that could harm others and ask for God's Mercy and forgiveness. In Focus Reginald remembered the anger that once burned like a hot coal in his heart. He had spent most of his life as a troubled person. By the age of 37, he had not held a job for longer than a couple of years and was about to be fired from his present job. He was in a terrible state back then. His wife had just left him, taking their only child, a son he adored. She was no longer willing to bear the brunt of his angry outbursts. He had lost all that was dear to him because of his bad temper.

2 Reginald's life probably would have remained unchanged had it not been for his coworker Cheryl who sat down with him during lunch one day. They got to chatting about their families, and Reginald ended up admitting that he was having troubles. Cheryl prayed for him right then and there, and told him, God has a better way for you. That message of hope started Reginald on the road to the righteous life that God desires for everyone. After a time of working through his anger and committing his life to Christ, Reginald's family was reunited. As he thinks about the peaceful life he enjoys today, he wonders how different things would be if his former coworker had not had the courage to confront his negative behavior. How do you react when someone confronts you about your harmful actions? Ask members to share periods in their lives when they felt deluged by tragic events.

3 Invite them to share how God's grace sustained them. Keep In Mind And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.. ( genesis 4:10, KJV). Words You Should Know A. Offering ( genesis 4:5) minkha (Heb.) An offering, usually of agricultural produce, especially a grain offering B. Slew (v. 8) harag (Heb.) To kill, smite, or slay Say It Correctly Sheol. SHEE-ole Euphemistically. YOU-feh-MISS-tih-kal-lee KJV. genesis 4:1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord. 2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof.

4 And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. 9 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? 10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. 11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand.

5 12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. 13 And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I. shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me. 15 And the Lord said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him. 16 And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden. NLT. genesis 4:1 Now Adam had sexual relations with his wife, Eve, and she became pregnant.

6 When she gave birth to Cain, she said, With the Lord's help, I have produced a man! . 2 Later she gave birth to his brother and named him Abel. When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. 3 When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought a gift the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, 5 but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected. 6 Why are you so angry? the Lord asked Cain. Why do you look so dejected? 7 You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.. 8 One day Cain suggested to his brother, Let's go out into the fields.

7 And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him. 9 Afterward the Lord asked Cain, Where is your brother? Where is Abel? . I don't know, Cain responded. Am I my brother's guardian? . 10 But the Lord said, What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground! 11 Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has swallowed your brother's blood. 12 No longer will the ground yield good crops for you, no matter how hard you work! From now on you will be a homeless wanderer on the earth.. 13 Cain replied to the Lord, My punishment is too great for me to bear! 14 You have banished me from the land and from your presence; you have made me a homeless wanderer. Anyone who finds me will kill me! . 15 The Lord replied, No, for I will give a sevenfold punishment to anyone who kills you.

8 Then the Lord put a mark on Cain to warn anyone who might try to kill him. 16 So Cain left the Lord's presence and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. The People, Places, and Times Firstfruits - This word was used in reference to the choicest examples of the harvest that should be dedicated to God. According to Mosaic Law, individual Israelites brought the best of the firstfruits of the land to Yahweh (Exodus 23:19; 34:26). The Book of Proverbs promises prosperity to those who honor God with their firstfruits (Proverbs 3:9). The term is also used figuratively for a person or group that represents a special, preeminent treasure. Israel was described as God's firstfruits (Jeremiah 2:3). Christ, in His Resurrection, was described as the firstfruits of those who have died (1 Corinthians 15:20, 23).

9 The Holy Spirit is referred to as a firstfruits in Romans 8:23. Believers are a kind of firstfruits, according to James 1:18. Firstborn - A couple's first born son was required to be dedicated to Yahweh, in remembrance of the Passover when God claimed all the firstborns. The firstborn of a newly married couple, according to tradition, was believed to represent the prime of human vitality ( genesis 49:3). The birthright of a firstborn son included a double portion of the family estate and leadership of the family. The firstborn would become head of the household upon his father's death. He could sell his birthright, as Esau did ( genesis 25:29 34) or forfeit it due to misconduct, as Reuben did ( genesis 35:22;49:3, 4). How do you give the first and the best to God in your offerings, including time, talent, and money?

10 Background sons were important to the Hebrew people for a variety of reasons. The ability to farm and herd animals was vital to their survival, a task well performed by strong, young men. Fathers who had sons gained a measure of respect from the community. The birth of Adam and Eve's sons was the beginning of the fulfillment of god 's directive to them that they be fruitful and multiply (see genesis 1:22). Some Bible scholars believe that the phrase and she again bare (v. 2) suggests that Cain and Abel were twins. The text is not explicit, however, as it is with the birth of later twins ( genesis 25:24; 38:27). The story of these two brothers is deeper than that of sibling rivalry. It reflects the willingness and desire of one faithful steward to give his best to please the Lord. Another steward, his own brother, wanted God's favor, yet, did not want to give his best in order to obtain it.