MIT and LIT Study Group

Observation 1: Attitude.

There was something about Cain that was slightly wrong - slightly off. I say this because as we read, he apparently does much the same as his brother - when Abel brings offerings to the Lord, so does Cain, but for some reason, God rejects it. Having his offering rejected by God has upset Cain a great deal and he responds by 'being downcast'.

God reacts by asking what the problem is, and then by pointing out that if Cain does what is right, then he has no reason to be in a strop. This suggests that something about Cain's offering was not right - either he was being stingy where his brother had been generous, or perhaps he had gone through the harvest picking out the fruit and veg that he didn't really feel was fit for human consumption, so it's alright, God can have that.

If this is the case, then it would explain why he gets into a sulk when God rebukes him - the immature personality type that withholds from God as though He doesn't know is also the personality type that would get angry for being pulled up on it - he's shamed and embarrased for being caught and responds by being surly. Cain takes this to ridiculous extremes by killing his brother and then hiding that from God as though God doesn't know - and then God's reaction is that of so many parents when their children lie - HOW DARE YOU LIE! The offence was bad enough, but LYING? - a lie breaks trust. Doing wrong is wrong, but lying removes trust. And it's Cain's lack of character - in withholding, failing to accept correction and lying that eventually get him exiled.