1) We fire back into Genesis, picking it up at chapter four. From this difficult beginning comes even more difficulty birthed by human disobedience and sin. But don’t lose heart. Not every moment is a disaster. Just many of them. And chapter 4 starts off with a little bit of fun and mystery. Adam and Eve slept together. He ‘knew Eve” in the biblical sense. But I need to interject a serious rebuttal to the overly prudish amongst our faith. Adam and Eve were intimate. And if was lousy, they wouldn’t have had another kid in verse 2.

2) And yes, the Song of Solomon has spiritual references, but to think after all the scripture testify to the passions of men and women, that God wouldn’t include a book on human love is utterly ridiculous. After all, intimacy is a part of creation so we can get a “small” grasp of our need to be connected.

3) The verse makes clear that Eve gave birth, with the Lord’s Help. Nothing we do is outside of God. If He gives us, and gives us breath, then everything that happens within that is, to some degree, connected to Him. Cain means to bring forth, or to acquire. Abel means breathe or to breathe. It is likely not a coincidence that the breath was murdered. People often try to destroy the breath, the air, and the voice of God.

4) The Eden boys grow up. One becomes a farmer and the other shepherd. NO, absolutely No, that this is the reason why God didn’t accept Cain’s offering, because he was a farmer. That is adding to the word of God. The difference is defined in verse four. Cain brought stuff from his garden and Abel brought the prime choice from his flock. The difference is not the substance, but the heart. It always has been. And it always will be, our best for God, or don’t, because he won’t receive it.