Christian Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Knowledge, Understanding, and Wisdom: Cain and A'bel

Ok so I came across a site talking about, Knowledge, Understanding, And Wisdom. Now the three the way this guy explained it were three different things, and that to gain each one, you need to get the first, than second, and third finally. Now by what he was saying, I knew I had "Knowledge" of the bible, but not understanding. And to get Wisdom, need understanding first.

So to me, Knowledge is like - Knowing about the facts, so: Where / When / Who / How /
Understand I think means, Why it happened, and the meaning and lesson behind it.
Wisdom is applying these lessons, or being wise in how to use them in your everyday life.

So I desided to start off with something I thought I could handle, which is the story of Cain and Abel.

Genesis 4:1 - And Ad'am knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.
2: And she again bare his brother A'bel. And A'bel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
3: And in the process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.
4: And A'bel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect (Esteem, regard, Found him and his offering worthy) unto A'bel and to his offering:
5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not Respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

Ok i'll stop there for now, what I'm trying to understand is first of all, is why is Cain wroth (angry, wrathful) and who is he angry at?

Is he angry at only A'bel? or only God? or possibly both?

Now I decided to go to the book of Jonah for some help, but ran into a bumb when doing so.

Jonah 3:10 - And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

Jonah 4:1 - But it displeased Jo'nah exceedingly, and he was very angry.
2: And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tar'shish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.
3: Therefore now, O Lord, take I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.
4: Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry.

See I thought it had said, "Doest thou well to be angry with me" but it does not, but I can see from the story it implies possibly that hes angry with God for forgiving the people.

So I desided to say that Cain is angry with both, so I understand that. Why is he angry though?

Well my thought on this was because, he did not receive from God what he thought was due to him, and also we dont know how his childhood was or anything either, or how he grew up. Maybe he blamed his parents for the way he was, I'm not sure on that one.

Now I'll go back to Verse 6-8

Genesis 4:6 - And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? (His head was lowered down in anger, or appearence changed somehow, a sour face maybe)

7: If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

8: And Cain talked with A'bel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against A'bel his brother, and slew him.

What I'm getting from all this is that: Cain became angry because he was not regarded by God, nor was his offering.
Also he was envious of his brother I believe, and wanted what he had (Very desirous of what he had).
He also talked with A'bel about something before he murdered him, not sure what it would of been though.
He might of believed possibly if A'bel was gone, then only he would be left to give offerings to God, and they would have been respected.

Now how to not do the same as Cain: First if you want to be respected, give the best to God, and offer the most worthy thing you have, or most valuable. Give him the best Worship you possibly can.
also you would be thankful for what you already have, and be grateful that others have what they have. If you really need something, ask God for it.
We should also Fear God, and the punishment that could await us for our sin against another.
If you do become angry, go and talk to the person about it, try to work something out. If they wont listen or you only become more angry, take it to God in prayer.

I'm just wondering if I'm getting the right understanding from this story, and any flaws someone might be able to point out. I think I'm getting there though, just takes time.
 
Back
Top