Cain & Abel - Consequence and OpportunitySample

Cain’s Consequence

There are consequences for our actions. Our choices affect others and can impact our circumstances, relationships, and settings.

Cain violates a boundary, and the consequence is stiff. Adam, Cain’s father, sinned. The result was that he was exiled from Eden. Exile is a form of death. His work was cursed—the earth became challenging to cultivate. For Cain, the consequences go a step further—the ground would no longer yield crops at all.

Cain is exiled from his livelihood. He now must be a “restless wanderer on the earth.”

Cain responds, saying that this is something more than he can bear. Genesis 4:2 describes Cain as someone who “tilled the soil.” It was not just his occupation; it was part of his perceived identity. Now that identity has been stripped away. 

We are all descendants of Adam and Cain. We are exiled from a perfect garden. We are not living God’s purpose for our existence—ruling the earth in harmony with one another, with nature, and with Him, our Creator.

Like Cain, we are restless wanderers. We seek a place to settle, a place to rest. We desire a return of our authority to rule the earth. We long for a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Thankfully, there are positive consequences for good choices. When we make a decision that honors God, serves others, and reflects the glory of Christ in each of us, we reap positive consequences. The beauty of joy. The grit and intimacy of steadfastness. The hope of trusting.

Our good choices may not work out as we hoped in this life. But exercising sound judgment and noble character always reaps a good consequence, a godly reward. Sometimes those rewards are put on layaway.

Faithfulness can restore the tremendous losses experienced by Adam and Cain. That is a promise worth pursuing with all our strength.