The Unfinished Sentence

Aug 2

Reflective Reading: Genesis 4:1-26

Did you ever wonder why Cain murdered his brother? It seems odd that he would kill Abel simply because God did not have respect for his offering. Let’s read the text and see if we can find the root cause of this unthinkable act:

“And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD 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 the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 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. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him” (Gen. 4:3–8).

It appears that Cain was upset because God didn’t respect his offering. His anger is first directed toward God, and then acted out against his brother. I believe all conflict, hostility, anger, unforgiveness, and violence is a direct result of our relationship with God. If we understand how much we’ve been forgiven, then it’s easy to forgive others. If we understand how much God loves us, then it’s easy to love even when we are loved less. If we are bitter toward others, then we probably don’t understand that we are really bitter toward God. A bitterness toward others is evidence that we are unwilling to trust God to work out our present circumstances for good.

In the New Testament, the Apostle John writes,

“Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous” (1 Jn. 3:12).

Cain was already in rebellion against God before he killed his brother. He was “of that wicked one.” The New Testament doesn’t sugarcoat why Cain killed Abel—he and his works were evil. But I believe there is more to this story. In Genesis 4 Cain is referred to sixteen times. Then he disappears from the pages of Scripture until Hebrews 11:4:

“By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.”

At first glance it appears that this New Testament insight places the emphasis on Cain’s unacceptable sacrifice. But if we take a closer look, we discover an even greater clue as to what led to murder. The clue is found in the phrase, “he (Abel) being dead yet speaketh.” Do you see the significance that Abel is speaking even after he is dead? Let’s find out how Abel’s speech may provide an answer to the cause of most family conflicts and how to avoid them.

To begin, let’s jump back to Genesis 4:8:

“And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.”

Notice that the text does not reveal what Cain said to his brother. In Hebrew, the word for “talked” (אמר) typically requires a continuation of the dialogue. The Hebrew language necessitates that the hearer or reader knows what was talked about. In 4:8 we have an abrupt end to the dialogue, leaving the reader guessing. This need for the continuation of dialogue is seen in many translations. I found that the translators added what they believed Cain said to his brother. I have italicized the added text below:

“And Cain saith unto Abel his brother, ‘Let us go into the field;’ and it cometh to pass in their being in the field,”
“And Cain says to his brother Abel, ‘Let us go into the field’; and it comes to pass in their being in the field,”
“Instead, Cain told his brother Abel, ‘Let's go out to the wilderness.’ When they were outside in the fields,”

It is dangerous to add to the Scriptures. Even though the word “talked” (אמר) almost always requires the continuation of dialogue, there is a reason why God does not allow us to know what was spoken. This unfinished sentence is of the highest theological significance.

It is in the silence of Cain, or the silence of Scripture, that sin metastasizes and leads to greater destructive results. It is in this unfinished sentence that God teaches us one of the most important lessons for family redemption. What is the lesson? When words cease, the devil speaks. When communication is cut off because of real or perceived offenses, love grows colder, and the door to bitterness, blame, envy, and jealousy enter. The author of Hebrews writes:

“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled” (Heb. 12:15).

When we cling to God’s grace, bitterness cannot take root.

The next word of interest in the Genesis text is the word “brother.” In just a few verses the word “brother” is repeated seven times. Why? We are created as relational beings. God’s first question to Cain is, “Where is your brother?” Why does God ask this question? He obviously knew where Abel was. The question is for all of us. Have we lost connection with our “brother” or “sister?” Have we severed relationships by ceasing to talk? Cain’s response to the question is revealing: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The answer is yes! As the firstborn, Cain was indeed his brother’s keeper.

The word “keeper” (shamar שָׁמַר), carries the idea of guarding, attending to one’s needs, or protecting by placing a hedge of thorns around them. Cain apparently did not want this privileged position of responsibility over his younger brother. He appears to be resentful about more than just his offering not being accepted. May we all beware: when words cease to be spoken, resentment increases. “Brothers” who are unable to engage in open conversation regarding their disagreements are sowing seeds of bitterness. James writes:

“But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace” (James 3:14–18).

Again, when conversation dies, bitterness and/or violence begins. God gave humans the gift of speech. Family conflict begins where speech fails. Cain has words with his brother, and the words lead nowhere—they cease. When conversation dies, conflicts deepen. Whether Cain actually spoke certain words is not important. The fact that the Scriptures do not record them is what is important. The empty space in the verse is not a copyist’s mistake. It is the sound of a relationship going silent.

Notice that God never stopped speaking. God turned to Cain moments earlier saying sin was crouching at the door, trying to destroy him. Even after the murder, God does not stop speaking. He says, “Where is Abel your brother?” In verse 10 God says something astonishing:

“And God said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.”

Do you see the profound truth that is surfacing? Cain stopped speaking, but Abel, though he was dead, continued to speak. Again, in Hebrews 11:4 we read:

“By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.”

Abel is still speaking today!

What is more amazing is what Jesus said when He was being murdered: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Words of forgiveness may be the most powerful words in the world. Forgiveness destroys the root of bitterness. To forgive opens the door for words to be spoken and redemption to be possible. I wonder if Cain’s unfinished sentence was finished by Jesus at the cross. Perhaps the finished words are found in forgiveness.

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