Personalities:
    Kayin (Cain) - spear
        Hebrew word pictures: qof: back of head - behind, last, least; 
                                            yod: work, deed, to make; 
                                            nun: activity, life
        "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the world" [Mattityahu/Matthew 5:5]
   
    Hevel (Abel) - emptiness, temporary, vapor
         Hebrew word pictures: hey: behold - to reveal
                                            bet: tent, house - household, in, into, family
                                            lamed: cattle goad - control, authority, the tongue 

        "Vanity (hevel) of vanities, all is vanity." [Kohelet/Ecclesiastes 1:2]

Study Questions:
 
    Compare the sin of Kayin with that of Adam and Havah (Eve) in chapter 3. What were the motivations and the results?

    Consider some of the possible reasons why God accepted Hevel's offering and not Kayin's. How important is the reason to the story?  

    Is anger in itself sin?

        "Be angry, but don't sin - don't let the sun go down before you have dealt with the cause of your anger; otherwise you leave room for the Adversary." [Ephesians 4:26-27]

        "When the Messiah, who is our life, appears, then you too will appear with him in glory! Therefore, put to death the earthly parts of your nature - sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed (which is a form of idolatry); for it is because of these things that God's anger is coming on those who disobey him. True enough, you used to practice these things in the life you once lived; but now, put them all away - anger, exasperation, meanness, slander and obscene talk. [Colossians 3:4-8]

    Compare anger with hate:

        "You have heard that our fathers were told, 'Love your neighbor - and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! Then you will become children of your Father in heaven...What reward do yo get if you love only those who love you?" [Mattityahu/Matthew 5:43-46]

    Kayin was in a frustrating situation. He probably felt rejected by God, even though we can see this was not the case. How should he have reacted to the situation?

        "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit better than he that taketh a city." [Mishlei/Proverbs 16:32]

        "Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools." [Kohelet/Ecclesiastes 7:9]

        "If we acknowledge our sin, then, since he is trustworthy and just, he will forgive them and purify us from all wrongdoing." [1Yochanan/1John 1:9]

    Anger will only make a bad situation worse. God's desire for us is to live in peace.

        "May Adonai give strength to his people! May Adonai bless his people with shalom!" [Tehellim/Psalms 29:11]

    Ha Satan does not want us to live in this peace. He will do everything he can to rob us of that peace. 

        "Your enemy, the Adversary, stalks about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." [1Kefa/1Peter 5:8]  

    We have been given weapons with which to combat the forces of evil which seek to remove us from the shalom God desires for us. In the following passage identify these tools.

        "Adonai, who can rest in you tent? Who can live on your holy mountain? Those who live a blameless life, who behave uprightly, who speak truth from their hearts and keep their tongues from slander; who never do harm to others or seek to discredit neighbors; who look with scorn on the vile, but honor those who fear Adonai; who hold to an oath, no matter the cost; who refuse usury when they lend money and refuse a bribe to damage the innocent. Those who do these things never will be moved." [Tehellim/Psalms 15] 

      When it is not in us to get beyond our anger and forgive others, in what ways does God provide help for us?

Prayer:

Thank God for what He has taught you in this study. Ask Him to help you apply this lesson in the power of the Holy Spirit. Who do you need God's help forgiving? In what ways do you need to get beyond your anger and enter into His shalom?