Cain and Abel
Genesis 4
The account of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4 raises a number of questions in the mind of the reader, among which are these three.
(1) When Cain murdered his brother, why was the penalty not death? Why “a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth?” And then, though he was not remorseful, why did God grant him a blessing? (2) Why are so many generations of Cain listed, when they did not survive the Flood? (3) If Lamech killed a man, why should he be forgiven more than Cain?
Nevertheless, there are reasonable answers to all these questions, and more.
The Apostle Paul speaks of “the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel” (Hebrews 12:24). This implies that Abel is a type of Jesus Christ. Cain, who slew Abel, would typify Israel and especially its religious leaders, the Sadducees, who urged the Romans to crucify Christ (Matthew 27:25).
Just as Cain’s sacrifice was not accepted, fleshly Israel was unable to offer an acceptable sacrifice from the works of the Law. As Abel offered an acceptable sacrifice by a blood sacrifice, Jesus was able to offer an acceptable sacrifice by the sacrifice of himself. Wherefore, Cain was jealous of Abel and slew him; Israel’s leaders were jealous of Jesus and had him slain (Matthew 27:24‑25).
CAIN’S PENALTY AND BLESSING, GENESIS 4:9‑15
Jehovah (Ye’‑ho‑vah’) asked, “Where is Abel thy brother?” Cain shrugged it off, Am I my brother’s warden? Jehovah responded, “What hast thou done? The voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground” (cf. Hebrews 12:24). Unjust slaying calls for retribution. Just as the earth would not yield to Cain its full strength, so the Law would no longer yield to Israel its full blessing. Cain was to become a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth, as Israel was to be in the Diaspora, scattered into all nations of the earth (Genesis 4:10‑12).
Cain found his punishment greater than he could bear, so “that whosoever findeth me will slay me.” We need to ask, How many people could slay Cain? Does he have reference to his descendants also? Therefore, God would take vengeance on Cain’s enemies sevenfold, the seven emphasizing God’s oath, even though Cain has shown no remorse. Even as each nation that has cursed the Jew has paid a severe penalty: e.g., Spain after the Inquisition, Germany under Hitler. Jehovah appointed a mark, or sign, for Cain, just as Israel has remained separate and distinct in the countries into which they have been driven.
CAIN TO LAMECH, GENESIS 4:16‑24
Cain went out from the face (favor) of Jehovah to live in the land of Nod (which means Wandering) before (east of) Eden (desirable land). Israel’s Diaspora comes before Christ’s thousand‑year Kingdom — the real Desirable land.
Why is Cain’s genealogy given when it does not survive the Flood? Very tentatively, it may suggest the history of Israel from Christ’s First Advent to his Kingdom.
The genealogy proceeds: Cain (Aquired?), Enoch (Initiated), Irad (Fugitive?), Mehujael (Smitten by God), Methushael (Man of God), and Lamech (a Strong Young Man). The city built for Enoch might suggest Judah between Christ’s death and the fall of Judah, a condition away from God’s favor, but not yet in full dispersion. The next two might suggest Israel in dispersion. Methushael might suggest Israel returning in unbelief. Lamech might suggest Israel in Christ’s earthly Kingdom. Lamech’s children prosper, which would fit the Kingdom. Someone might like to study these suggested meanings more carefully.
Whom did Lamech Slay? There are two common translations of Genesis 4:23. “I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt” (KJV, ASV margin). “I have slain a man for wounding me, And a young man for bruising me” (ASV, KJV margin).
Genesis 4:23 may be equally well translated either way. The choice may be made according to which better fits the context or circumstances. The “and” may be understood as either “also” or “even.”
Is there any record of Lamech personally slaying anyone? Apparently not. However, Hebrews 7:10 might give us a clue: Levi “was yet in the loins of his father [Abraham],” when he paid tithes to Melchizedek. Was not Lamech in the loins of Cain when Cain slew Abel? This could explain why unremorseful Cain was to be avenged sevenfold, but remorseful Lamech would be avenged seventy and sevenfold. (Cf., on forgiveness, “I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but until seventy times and seven,” Matthew 18:21‑22 RV margin, RVIC margin).
Thusly understood, Lamech typifies Israel in the Kingdom. If Israel in the Diaspora, that is, their dispersion among the nations, unrepentant, was granted divine blessing of not being forever lost, in the Kingdom they will be fully forgiven (seventy times and seven).
Lamech’s children prospered, just as Israel will prosper in Christ’s thousand‑year Kingdom. (Whether Lamech’s children by Adah typify the heavenly Bride of Christ and the Great Multitude is left as an exercise for the reader.)
SETH AND ENOSH, GENESIS 4:25‑26
Jesus Christ was slain by crucifixion, but He did not stay dead; he was resurrected as a divine being. Therefore, Adam (typifying Jehovah God Himself) had another son, Seth, to typify our resurrected Lord Jesus, to take the place of Abel. To Seth was born a son, Enosh, to typify the children of the resurrection. And in their days will men begin “to call upon the name of Jehovah.”
— Br. Jim Parkinson