In chapter 3 we read of man sinning against God
by disobeying His Word; in chapter 4 we read of man
sinning against man. James 1:15 warns us that sin begins
in a small way, but grows and leads to death. And so it
was with Cain. There was disappointment, anger,
jealousy, and, finally, murder.
Both Cain and Abel brought offerings to God.
While Abel brought a blood offering, which was
acceptable to God, Cain brought a bloodless offering
from the cursed earth. His offering may have been
sincere, but it was not accepted.
We see in these verses the contrast between
religion based on good works and self-righteousness, and
the religion of grace which is through the blood of
Jesus Christ. There are only two religions in the world
today: that of Abel, that depends on the blood of Christ
and His finished work on the cross; and that of Cain,
that depends on good works and man-pleasing religious
ceremonies and programs. Abel’s religion leads to
heaven; Cain’s religion leads to hell.
Chapter 6 deals with the flood and the faith of
Noah. The fact of the flood is proved by the Genesis
record, as well as by Christ (Matthew 24:37-39 and Luke
17:26), the prophets (Isaiah 54:9), and the apostles (I
Peter 3:20). Man had become corrupt, the earth was
filled with violence, and God had to destroy mankind.
There must always be judgment and death before there can
be a new beginning.
The ark is a wonderful picture of our salvation
in Christ. The ark not only saved mankind, but also the
creatures within it, just as Christ’s death will one day
deliver creation from the bondage of sin. The ark saved
Noah and his family from judgment; Christ saves us from
the wrath to come. There was only one way of salvation
and that was through the door of the ark. Today there is
only one way of salvation, and that is through Christ.
Just as Noah went out of the ark, the head of a new
creation with his family, Christ came out of the tomb,
the Head of a New Creation, and the Father of a new
family.