Genesis 4:9-12

Cain and Abel

In a similar sequence of events to the first sin, God comes to Cain and ends up cursing him for his murder of Abel. Cain’s punishment is that he is no longer a farmer but will be a nomad for a time. Eventually, he will establish a city (4:17). Because of Cain’s sin, God cuts him off from the way of life he enjoyed. God removes the very thing Cain thought was his best attribute. Cain has to start over again.

While God is a forgiving God and gives second chances, sometimes our actions require starting over. Sometimes this is a natural consequence of our actions, and sometimes this is God’s punishment for poor choices. How will we respond if/when this circumstance comes into our lives? Will we admit our failures and misgivings, or will we deny, deny, deny? Will we take the chances we are given to do better than we did the first time, or will we make the same mistakes again? I pray that we choose to learn from our mistakes.