Cain's Legacy and Christ's Cure

Allen P. Ross, on page 162 in his commentary Creation and Blessing: A Guide to the Study and Exposition of Genesis, explains Genesis chapter 4:1-16 by quoting Gerhard von Rad concerning Genesis 4:10. Gerhard von Rad points that Cain's rebellion continues to this day.

At the beginning of Passiontide it is fitting to say a word about the extent of the damage done by man. Man approaching the cross is a brother-murderer from the very beginning. The interpreter may also properly sketch out the lines of cultural history--the division of humanity into various states of life, the existence of two altars. And Cain continues to travel the road he has taken--founding cities and the musical arts, developing the art of forging so that the sword comes to be regarded as an approved implement--and the song of Lamech madly celebrates the native force and the boundlessness of revenge (Gen. 4:17-24).

But the sermon should center on verse 10; as far as human understanding is concerned, inconceivable and inexpiable is the accusing cry of the blood of our brother Abel, a cry that ascends to God day and night. This should be the starting point for the dispelling of manifold and familiar misunderstandings: Abel's blood, even the best and dearest, never brings salvation in the presence of God; instead it increases the burden of the curse. But Christ's blood "speaks more graciously than the blood of Abel" (Heb. 12:24). Thus the Bible speaks of two kinds of blood and their voices before God: one of these is millionfold, and its message is accusation, while the other is the blood of the One, and it brings healing. [Biblical Interpretations in Preaching, p. 22]