The scene opens with Adam and Eve giving birth to two sons: Cain the older, and Abel the younger. As grown men, the two of them bring offerings to the LORD out of their respective harvests. Cain of vegetables, and Abel of his flock. God favors one over the other, and there is a moment of decision.

In the moment of decision you can breathe in the imagery of the active posture of sin – it’s crouching at Cain’s door, ready to devour him. Listen to what Cain fears.

Yesterday, I encouraged you to pay attention to what gets repeated: words, phrases, and themes. Observe also the dialogue, which questions are asked, and what people are fearful of. Repetition and dialogue are tools the author uses to develop purpose and meaning. If you want to know what was important to the author (and you should!), pay attention to repetition and dialogue – what is repeated, and what is said.

As we head through chapters 4 and 5 we discover hope – the human race continues despite its dysfunction. Generations pass. And in chapter 6 the camera zooms in on a moment when God declares “It’s enough.” Pay attention again to the dialogue in chapters 6 and 7.

There’s two important themes in today’s reading: First, God does not automatically favor the older brother over the younger. Second, God defends the righteous – with Abel, as his advocate, and with Noah, by providing deliverance.

Both of these ideas are not only completely unknown to the ancient world, but they each serve as huge themes in Genesis – and the rest of the Bible. Watch out for them!

Our closing verse for this week is John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Genesis Chapters 4 through 7. Go read it!