Genesis 4:1-26
4:1 The process of the birth of souls on the earth, explained through Cain and Abel. There is possibility that Cain and Abel were fraternal twins (one representing the spawn of the serpent).
4:2 Cain and Abel each represent two types of humans. Cain is explained as a tiller of the ground. Abel is described as a keeper of sheep.
- Cain: This type of soul has allegiance with the way of the world. Cain represents the soul who lives in agreement with how the system of the world functions: the divisions, the quest for power, fame and wealth, arrogance, pride, destruction. Cain's sole focus is on the world: what we can procure from it, regardless of consequence or finite resource.
- Abel: This type of soul has allegiance with the way of the Spirit. Abel represents the soul who lives in agreement with how the philosophy of faith functions: unity, humility, gratitude, beauty in simplicity, nature, creation. Abel's soul focus is on Spirit: what joy and justice can be given to others, created, added and manifested among humanity and all life. Abel takes care of innocent life, without pursuing any reward.
4:3 Our thoughts, behavior and actions are offerings to our Creator. What we produce in the world becomes our product and represents our values and motivations. Cain (and those like him) offer only the products they desperately sought for in their lives, things that are meaningless to God: pride, wealth, power. Cain took from the Earth (people, resources) all in effort to raise his own platform.
4:4 Conversely, Abel brought souls to God. Abel cultivated relationships, inspiring healing and safety, justice, nourishment, shelter and opportunity... and through those selfish efforts, was able to offer to God what is most dear to Him: the return of His children.
4:5 Cain's offering was deficient. God does not respect offerings of pride or pillaged goods. Cain became exasperated. Humanity is familiar with what Cain was experiencing: for to live as Abel lived is arduous, selfless work. Cain wanted to reap the rewards that come from efforts such as Abel's... but without having to do any of the work.
4:6-7 God's simple and fair method of loving and instructing His children is admirable. God explains to Cain (and those like him) that through efforts of compassion, all of His love and rewards are offered to every soul equally. It is not an exclusive club. The conditions are the same for both Abel and Cain but they teach chose difference methods of living, and only one of those methods leads to God.
4:8 Cain killed Abel. This is representative of Darkness working to extinguish Light... but realize that it cannot happen. To have a soul connected to our immortal, spiritual source of life is to always have life. Just because a body no longer functions on earth does not mean a soul is extinguished.
Continuing with the figurative explanation of this verse: evil acts work to thwart goodness out of jealously, disrespect and selfishness. We observe it happening all around the world.
4:9 Evil does not take responsibility for its actions. Cain displays his inherent selfishness and deceptive nature: 1) Cain lies. He has no regard for truth as long as it benefits him and 2) he carelessly reveals that Abel's well-being is irrelevant to him (he proclaims himself not a keeper, or guardian over others).
Cain and Abel very clearly defined types of souls. In living our own lives, we must decide where our allegiances lie. If our motivations are selfish or if our actions are selfless (in every moment of our lives, we make those defining decisions).
4:10 We have the nature of humanity's relationship with God explained in this verse. Our souls have a connected with creation. Our behavior here is observed and analyzed. We cannot hide our true character or what we produce (or destroy). Cain tried to lie about killing Abel, but it was useless.
4:11 This and the following verses explain the nature of the conditions of life on earth, the gift of freedom and free will. God does not retaliate. He allows our own behavior to create subsequent conditions. Instead of matching Cain's evil action (by killing Cain in retaliation), God remains true to His nature: a giver of life.
4:12 God explains that Cain had now ruined his energetic relationship with life. Everything we are and produce is a form of energy. When we contradict the frequency of life, repercussions manifest in our lives. It's similar to swimming upstream: you are allowed to do it but it's more difficult. The water is not punishing you, it's simply that you decided to go against the water's natural flow.
4:13-14 Cain could not bear the consequences of what he had caused and there is a life lesson here that continues into the next verse. God wanted to exemplify to Cain (and all of humanity) that any strife in their lives was not because He had specifically punished them. In fact, God highlights the fact that He gave us this earth, freedom and free will... all tailored to support our lives.
4:15 God wanted to show Cain (and humanity) that everyone is given a (more than) fair chance when it comes to reestablishing oneself after making mistakes (even monumental ones).
4:16 Cain went to build a life in Nod, east of Eden.
4:17 Cain and his wife began to procreate; their son Enoch was born.
4:18 Cain's lineage began as Enoch had a son, Irad; Irad begot Mehujael; Mehujael begot Methushael, and Mehushael begot Lamech. God had not thwarted Cain's ability on the earth; He gave opportunity even beyond Cain to his children, grandchildren and so forth.
4:19 Lamech (meaning powerful) had two wives (the first occurrence of polygamy): Adah (ornament) and Zillah (shadow).
4:20 Lamech and Ada had Jabal (leader). The farming son.
4:21 Lamech and Ada had Jubal (led), also. The virtuoso son.
4:22 Lamech and Zillah had Tubal-Cain (leadership). The metal-working son. Lamech and Zillah also had a daughter named Naamah (beautiful, pleasure). The characteristics of these people represent the origin of types of human characteristics and qualities that we still know of today.
4:23-24 Lamech had the characteristic of Cain, in fact much of this family's behavior represented their forefather. The elements of polygamy and thirst for vengeance, for example, are selfish in nature as was Cain. Still, God allows for each family to procreate because each soul deserves their faith chance here on earth.
4:25 Adam and Eve had a third child named Seth, given in the name of Abel.
4:26 Seth had a son named Enosh; and this lineage carried on a relationship with God.
4:17 Cain and his wife began to procreate; their son Enoch was born.
4:18 Cain's lineage began as Enoch had a son, Irad; Irad begot Mehujael; Mehujael begot Methushael, and Mehushael begot Lamech. God had not thwarted Cain's ability on the earth; He gave opportunity even beyond Cain to his children, grandchildren and so forth.
4:19 Lamech (meaning powerful) had two wives (the first occurrence of polygamy): Adah (ornament) and Zillah (shadow).
4:20 Lamech and Ada had Jabal (leader). The farming son.
4:21 Lamech and Ada had Jubal (led), also. The virtuoso son.
4:22 Lamech and Zillah had Tubal-Cain (leadership). The metal-working son. Lamech and Zillah also had a daughter named Naamah (beautiful, pleasure). The characteristics of these people represent the origin of types of human characteristics and qualities that we still know of today.
4:25 Adam and Eve had a third child named Seth, given in the name of Abel.
4:26 Seth had a son named Enosh; and this lineage carried on a relationship with God.
