In Genesis 4, we read the sad story of Cain killing his brother Abel -- because of anger - because he did not please God with his unrighteousness and his brother did. All-loving God speaks to Cain and lovingly tells him that he will be accepted if he does good, but to be on the alert to sin which "crouches at the door" and whose "desire" is for Cain - BUT he must rule over that sin.
Sadly, Cain does NOT rule over the "desire" of sin - which become CAIN's desire -- to murder his righteous brother - and he is given over to sin - killing his brother in passion.
Again, all-loving God actually comes to him in peace and gently (I think) asks Cain where his brother is. Cain responds badly - scoffing at the concept of being his "brother's keeper" -- and so God speaks more, asking him what he has done, and lamenting that the blood of Abel CRIES to him from the ground!
Then, God does bring His righteous judgment on Cain -- the same ground that had to receive the blood of Abel would now not yield its fruit to Cain if Cain would work the earth. Thus he would be a fugitive and vagabond.
Cain cries out - saying the punishment is too great -- God's punishment is perfect, but to us the sinners, it FEELS too great.
BUT, notice here the incredible mercy of God, saying anyone who kills Cain would be punished SEVEN TIMES GREATER, and He put some sort of visible "sign" on Cain that would advise people of the protection he had from God! ??? THIS is how God treats a cold-blooded murderer??? With protection and GREAT punishment to ANYONE who would do him harm??
It just sheds great light on the incredible LOVING character of our God. Remember, God IS love.
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And then we get to Genesis 6 -- the corruption of men before the flood in the days of Noah. I will be more brief concerning this, but again, I just want to focus on the character of LOVE of our God. The wickedness of man was GREAT in the earth and EVERY imganiation of the thoughts of man's heart was ONLY EVIL CONTINUALLY!
And how does our God react to this? You would think with anger and wrath, firstly?
NO. FIRSTLY, It GRIEVES His heart! He was SAD. This is evidence of His love - that He WISHED men might have walked with Him in love and righteousness, and not cause harm or evil in the earth. But, He was so grieved that He repented of having ever made man and thus He brings the waters of cleansing that had to come to remove all this wickedness.
And yet, for some reason there is ONE man - not TWO, not FOUR, not THIRTEEN, but ONE man who walked righteously - Noah - whose name means "rest". Thus, Noah prepared for the great cleansing, and was protected through it, when REST was brought to the world due to the evil people being removed (and I imagine) MUCH violence ceasing.
May God bring REST to you too -- but NOT by having to take your earthly life! Remember, Jesus preached to those souls who had died in the flood and SAVED some of them!! No, may you yield to His Spirit and His will in your life in humble repentance and thus be ABLE to ENJOY His great love and favor in your life!
God bless you all, my friends.
Sincerely,
-Gregory Wilson