The shame of Cain

Genesis 4:3-5 [3] In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, [4] and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, [5] but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.

As he stood in front of God that day, conversing with God, he would have been cringing inside. Feeling ashamed about how useless he was. In the new normal world, post Garden of Eden, he had worked hard, so that God would accept him. But all his efforts were in vain - instead of God accepting him he felt rejected, because his sacrifice was not regarded well by God. He was feeling ashamed, depressed but angry too. Angry with God and upset with his brother! 

Genesis 4:8 [8] Cain spoke to Abel his brother.

His struggle was not with God alone but with his brother too! His brother had done nothing intentionally. But his comparative and competitive framework of life gave him no rest. How can his younger brother be accepted when he was not! How can he face his brother and family as one whose sacrifice was not regarded by God! What would they think about him, his status in front of others had taken a beating! 

Genesis 4:6-7 [6] The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? [7] If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

His unaddressed shame and security issues was bound to destroy him and his community around and God knew this. But his deep sense of shame and insecurity emerging out of sense of rejection was so overpowering that Gods advise to him fell on deaf ears. The outcome of such unaddressed shame was only expected! 

Genesis 4:8 [8] Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.

Destroying a visible and constant reminder of his inner feelings of shame and insecurity was easier than addressing his own inner issues! 

Genesis 4:9-12 [9] Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” [10] And the LORD said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. [11] And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. [12] When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.”

The future such a life of unaddressed internal shame and insecurity and destruction of relationships with God and his brother was leaving Cain with challenges for the rest of his life. It would be a new normal life, which was much different from what was before.

A life of guilt, struggles in his agrarian work life, and an unsettled life - a life of restless wandering both internally and physically. 

Genesis 4:15-16 [15] Then the LORD said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him. [16] Then Cain went away from the presence of the LORD and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. 

And so he moves away from the presence of God, but protected by God even in his running away! And settling into life away from God but with a reminder of the original purpose close enough (garden of Eden), but a life style far removed! 

The danger of unaddressed shame….