Last time in Bible Understanding, God confronts Cain after he has murdered his brother Abel. Cain denies responsibility and lies to God. God responds: "Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receiver your brother's blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth." I don't know about you but I am hopeful at this point of the story, my heart holds out for some hint, some sign of regret or remorse on Cain's part. Alas, this is Cain's response: "My punishment is more than I can bear. Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me." The self indulgence of Cain's response to the curse is appalling, with no sign of conscience or pretence of having committed a wrong, let alone having murdered his brother. Cain is not sorry and he resents Gods curse, clearly, the punishment does not fit the crime (at least humanly speaking). There is one acknowledgement in Cain's self seeking response, and that is his future lack of access to Gods presence, his alienation from God. God is allowing Cain to live, his life is spared, at least for the time being. More about the curse of Cain when next we meet, in Bible Understanding.
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