“Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden” (Genesis 4:16).
Cain had blood on his hands. After refusing to bring a lamb for an offering, after rebuffing his younger brother’s pleading, and after dismissing God’s call to his heart, the eldest son of Adam murdered his own brother.
Perhaps the normal path this story would take would be that Cain would immediately receive the consequences of his abominable sin and suffer capital punishment. Jewish tradition states that Cain used a stone to kill his younger brother. Moses’ laws would later declare, “If he strikes him with a stone in the hand, by which one could die, and he does die, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death” (Numbers 35:17).
But Genesis tells a different story, one filled with grace. Even after all the chances given to this angry killer, God gave Cain an opportunity to repent. Not only did the Lord approach the guilty man to discuss what he had done, God allowed him to live on, even if as a fugitive. And when Cain complained that others would seek to kill him, the Lord compassionately stated, “Whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold” (Genesis 4:15).
God bent over backward to reach this lost son of Adam. Over and over, the first murderer was given occasion to turn it all around. Despite this, Cain turned his back on God and “went out from the presence of the Lord.”
When you are caught in sin, which way will you turn?
Dear Lord, Your grace and kindness are beyond comprehension. May such love melt my heart and keep me turned toward you.
