Gen 4:3 Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 

The grass always seems greener on the other side.  In this case, the oldest son of Adam and Eve experienced that even as the tiller of the ground.  The actual word “tiller” means to work or serve.  It’s no coincidence that, over time, this role became the sole responsibility of the enslaved people in just about every land from then on.  It was difficult, back-breaking work.  Cain was the first person after Adam to be required to do this work.  If you remember, this responsibility was given to Adam, and well, it was not a responsibility but a curse.  Gen 3:18 “Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.”  Cain’s job to till directly resulted from the curse, what his parents did and not his own doing.  Have you ever been the one who has to step in to clean up someone else’s mess?  Or forced to complete a task not previously required because someone else messed up.  

I remember in the summer of 1993, the year our Academy class was placed in charge of the new incoming freshman class.  It was our first time to be completely in charge of training and developing the next group of future leaders at the Coast Guard Academy.  It was a great time to put into practice all that we’d learned and now our responsibility.   However, during the year prior, the leaders in charge of training another class had broken some rules and gotten themselves in trouble.  Because of that, a ton of new restrictions, regulations, and limitations had been placed on us.  We still had the same job but didn’t have all of the “tools of the past” at our disposal.  This resulted in us becoming more creative, developing new techniques, and ultimately becoming better leaders.  However, that was not our initial take; we were bitter, angry, and resentful because of what others had done to put us in this position.  Early on, it also showed up in how we interacted with the new class.  

Could Cain’s jealousy have risen because of the difficulty of his work, compounded with what could have been perceived as an easier job that his younger brother Able was required to do?  In the end, the results of his hard labor were not considered (or respected) as the results of the labor of his little brother?  And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.  Cain’s countenance fell, literally meaning that his face fell.  Cain’s head dropped.  His self-worth was depleted, and his perception of himself lowered.  Was that God’s intention by rebuking his offering?  Of course not.  God required an acceptable offering, and Cain didn’t meet it.  The truth is, we cannot meet that requirement either.  I thank God for Jesus, who came and met the requirements for our sake.  I’m not sure I would be or have been any different than Cain.  I’ve felt like murdering many people, but Praise God, that level of anger has never played out in my actions.  Jesus gave us a way out by taking Cain’s Jealousy, our lack of self-worth, and our anger to the cross so we would not have to.  God made it simple for Cain:  Gen 4:6-7 So the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”  Sin is waiting at the door for us all, but Jesus is also waiting.  Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.  

Anger can build up over time, one disappointment on top of a failure on top of feeling that someone let you down…before you know it your anger is at a 12, causing you to act in a way that harms both you and others. Cain’s Jealousy and anger resulted in the death of his little brother, because Sin was waiting at his door.  Well, someone is knocking at your door….Someone who understands what you’re going through and wants to give you the answer to your pain.  Open the door to Jesus. He wants to come in and clean up your mess.  Let Jesus into your heart today, your life will never be the same.  He’s got multiple answer for  dealing with anger and will help you be a blessing to others and not cause harm.