THE MESSAGE FROM GENESIS 4

I do not recall anyone preaching or teaching that after Adam and Eve were "booted out" of the Garden of Eden, human beings were still allowed to be in the very presence of God.  I have always believed that God's presence remained there, and that He continued there "walking in the coolness of the day" (Gen. 3:8).  Wrong!  In Genesis 4:16, we read:  "And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden."  What difference does it make, you might ask?  It makes a great deal of difference! 

For one thing, God was apparently "walking in the coolness of the day" outside the Garden of Eden!  That means that Adam, Eve, Cain, and Abel, could still have had an ongoing relationship with their Creator.  They spoke to Him, and He to them (Gen. 4:3-15).  Notice that both Cain and Abel brought their offerings to the LORD.  They were face to face with Him!  [That is one of many reasons why I believe the word "LORD" did not mean the Father, but His presence was a Christophany, a pre-incarnation appearance of the Lord Jesus, as no man has ever seen God the Father (Jn. 1:18; 1 Jn. 4:12)].  So, Cain and Abel did not learn about God simply from the teaching of their parents, but they had their own relationship with Him.    

Have you ever wondered why God was displeased with Cain's offering?  Giving Cain the benefit of the doubt, let's assume that the "crops" Cain brought as a sacrifice were the finest of his harvest.  Since there was yet no written Law as to what man was to bring, and since we know God is just, we also have to assume that the LORD had given Adam, Eve, Cain, and Abel instruction as to how they were to approach Him.  And, not only were Adam and Eve clothed with the skins of animals which were sacrificed to make them, Cain and Abel must have also had clothing of skins.

Knowing what the LORD required, for Cain to bring "fruits and vegetables" was wrong on two counts:  First, Cain was being rebellious rather than being repentant.  He decided he would give God what he wanted to, rather than what God required.  Second, his "offering" was the results of his "works."  He had labored to produce his produce!  Man cannot be made right with God by his works, but must humbly accept the grace of God provided to him (Eph. 2:8-9)!

Here we are 6000 years or so, give or take, and nothing has changed.  Man is still trying to offer his works (religion) to pacify God.  Just as the LORD had provided for the salvation of Adam and Eve by a death, He still offers forgiveness to any and all who will accept His provision.  God sent His Son, Jesus, to die in order to clothe us with righteousness, His righteousness (Isa. 61:10; Jn. 3:16; Rom. 3:25-26; 2 Cor. 5:21; etc.)!  Here is Isaiah 61:10.

"I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh Himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels."