Matthew Henry Commentary Genesis 4:1-7

"And the man knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man with [the help of] Jehovah. And again she bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto Jehovah. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And Jehovah had respect unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And Jehovah said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shall it not be lifted up? and if thou doest not well, sin coucheth at the door: and unto thee shall be its desire, but do thou rule over it." — Genesis 4:1-7 (ASV)

When Cain was born, Eve said, "I have gotten a man from the Lord." Perhaps she thought that this was the promised seed. If so, she was woefully disappointed. Abel signifies vanity: when she thought she had the promised seed in Cain, whose name signifies possession, she was so focused on him that another son was like vanity to her. Observe, each son had a calling.

It is the will of God for everyone to have something to do in this world. Parents should bring up their children to work. "Give them a Bible and a calling," said good Mr. Dod, "and God be with them."

We may believe that God commanded Adam, after the fall, to shed the blood of innocent animals and, after their death, to burn part or the whole of their bodies by fire. In this way, the punishment that sinners deserve was prefigured. This punishment includes the death of the body and the wrath of God, for which fire is a well-known emblem. The sufferings of Christ were also prefigured.

Observe that the religious worship of God is no new invention. It was from the beginning; it is the good old way (Jeremiah 6:16). The offerings of Cain and Abel were different. Cain showed a proud, unbelieving heart. Therefore, he and his offering were rejected. Abel came as a sinner and, according to God's appointment, by his sacrifice expressed humility, sincerity, and believing obedience.

Thus, seeking the benefit of the new covenant of mercy through the promised Seed, his sacrifice had a token that God accepted it. Abel offered in faith, and Cain did not (Hebrews 11:4). In all ages, there have been two sorts of worshippers, such as Cain and Abel: namely, proud, hardened despisers of the gospel method of salvation, who attempt to please God in ways of their own devising; and humble believers, who draw near to Him in the way He has revealed. Cain indulged malignant anger against Abel.

He harbored an evil spirit of discontent and rebellion against God. God notices all our sinful passions and discontents. There is not an angry, envious, or fretful look that escapes His observing eye.

The Lord reasoned with this rebellious man: if he came in the right way, he should be accepted. Some understand this as an intimation of mercy: "If you do not do well, sin—that is, the sin-offering—lies at the door, and you may take the benefit of it." The same word signifies sin and a sacrifice for sin.

"Though you have not done well, yet do not despair; the remedy is at hand." Christ, the great sin-offering, is said to stand at the door (Revelation 3:20). And those who will not go to the door to ask for the benefit of this sin-offering well deserve to perish in their sins.

God's acceptance of Abel's offering did not change the birthright and make it his; why then should Cain be so angry? Sinful anger and unrest vanish before a strict and fair inquiry into the cause.