Rev Xi An Poon
親愛的家人，平安。
昨天我們讀創世記第三章，看見人犯罪之後，開始害怕、躲藏、推卸責任，也失去了在伊甸園中與神親密同行的生命。到了創世記第四章，罪不再只是停留在亞當和夏娃身上，而是進入下一代，進入家庭、敬拜、關係和人的世代之中。
亞伯是牧羊的，他將羊群中頭生的和羊的脂油獻上，顯明他把最先、最好的帶到神面前。這不只是供物的問題，更是心的次序。亞伯的生命讓我們看見，人原本被造，是要在神面前忠心管理、看守、獻上神所交託的一切。
但該隱卻走向另一條路。當神沒有看中他和他的供物時，他大大發怒，變了臉色。問題不是從他殺亞伯那一刻才開始，而是早已在他的心裡開始。怒氣、比較、不甘心、嫉妒、受傷和被拒絕的感覺，慢慢伏在他的心門前。
神在該隱還沒有行出罪之前，就已經提醒他：「罪就伏在門前。」這句話非常重要。罪往往不是一下子爆發，而是先從心裡開始。若人不在神面前停下來，罪就會從根源裡發動，最後破壞關係、傷害生命，甚至延伸到一個世代。
所以，今天創世記第四章不是只讓我們看見該隱的失敗，也不是只看見亞伯的獻上，而是神藉著這章經文呼召我們：趁罪仍在心門前的時候，就要回轉，離開罪的根源，重新轉向神。
一、讓神的提醒進入心裡
創世記 4:6
6 耶和華對該隱說：「你為甚麼發怒呢？你為甚麼變了臉色呢？」
神看見該隱發怒，也看見他變了臉色。神沒有立刻定罪他，而是先問他：「你為甚麼發怒呢？你為甚麼變了臉色呢？」這是神的憐憫，也是神的提醒。
很多時候，神在我們真正跌倒以前，已經先提醒我們。祂可能藉著一句話、心裡的不安、身邊人的勸勉，或聖靈溫柔的光照，提醒我們停下來。
當我們發現自己容易生氣、容易比較、容易不甘心、容易看別人不順眼時，這可能就是神正在提醒我們：心裡有些東西需要帶回祂面前。
今天，讓我們不要忽略神的提醒。當神問我們：「你為甚麼發怒呢？你為甚麼變了臉色呢？」我們不要急著解釋，也不要急著責怪別人，而要安靜下來，讓神的話進入我們的心。
二、把偏離的根源帶到光中
創世記 4:7
7 你若行得好，豈不蒙悅納？你若行得不好，罪就伏在門前。他必戀慕你，你卻要制伏他。
神說：「罪就伏在門前。」這表示罪不是很遠，而是已經在心門前等候；罪不是沒有目的，而是想要抓住人、支配人、牽引人離開神。
很多時候，我們只想處理表面的行為，卻沒有讓神光照心裡的根源。我們可能只覺得自己脾氣不好，卻沒有看見背後的驕傲；我們可能只覺得自己不開心，卻沒有看見背後的比較；我們可能只覺得自己受傷，卻沒有看見背後的不饒恕。
該隱若只看外面的事情，他會以為問題是亞伯被神看中，自己沒有被看中。但神要他看見，真正需要面對的不是亞伯，而是他自己的心。
今天，神也呼召我們把偏離的根源帶到光中。不是只說「我以後不要發脾氣」，而是求神光照：為甚麼我這麼容易發怒？不是只說「我不要嫉妒」，而是求神顯明：為甚麼別人蒙福時，我的心會不舒服？不是只說「我不要犯罪」，而是求神幫助我看見：罪到底從哪一個根源進入我的心？
神的光不是要毀滅我們，而是要醫治我們；神的光不是只指出黑暗，而是要把我們帶回生命。
三、重新轉向神的恩典
創世記 4:25-26
25 亞當又與妻子同房，她就生了一個兒子，起名叫塞特，意思說：「神另給我立了一個兒子代替亞伯，因為該隱殺了他。」
26 塞特也生了一個兒子，起名叫以挪士。那時候，人才求告耶和華的名。
創世記第四章有怒氣、有謀殺、有審判、有離開神的面，也有罪在該隱後代中的延伸。但這一章沒有停在黑暗裡。亞伯死了，該隱離開了，但神仍然賜下塞特。
這讓我們看見，人的罪帶來破壞，但神的恩典沒有停止；人的選擇帶來失落，但神的計劃沒有中斷。到了以挪士的時候，聖經說：「那時候，人才求告耶和華的名。」
這是今天很重要的出路。人真正離開罪的根源，不是單靠自己壓制，也不是單靠意志改變，而是重新轉向神，求告耶和華的名。
無論我們生命中有多少失敗、偏離、破碎或不能挽回的事，神仍然呼召我們轉向祂的恩典。當人願意求告耶和華的名，生命就不必停在罪的延伸裡，而能夠重新被神帶回祂面前。
創世記第四章讓我們看見，罪不是從外面突然出現，而是先伏在人的心門前。該隱的失敗，不是從殺亞伯那一刻才開始，而是從他的怒氣、比較、不甘心和拒絕回轉開始。
但這一章也讓我們看見神的信實、憐憫和恩典。神在該隱犯罪以前提醒他；神在審判中仍然保護他的生命；神在亞伯死後仍然賜下塞特；神在人類破碎的歷史中，仍然開出一條求告祂名的路。
今天，神藉著創世記第四章呼召我們：回轉，離開罪的根源。
讓神的提醒進入心裡。把偏離的根源帶到光中。重新轉向神的恩典。
今天，讓我們安靜思想：
我心裡是否有一些怒氣、比較、不甘心或受傷，正在影響我與神、與人的關係？
我是否只處理外面的行為，卻沒有讓神光照心裡更深的根源？
我是否願意在神提醒我的時候，立刻回轉，重新求告祂的名？
神今天不是要定罪我們，而是呼召我們回轉。祂要把我們心裡隱藏的黑暗帶到光中，使我們離開罪的根源，重新回到祂的恩典裡。
【禱告】
親愛的天父，感謝祢今天藉著創世記第四章提醒我們。
主啊，求祢光照我們的心，使我們看見那些藏在裡面的怒氣、比較、不甘心、嫉妒和受傷。
求祢幫助我們不再逃避，也不再用自己的方法處理，而是願意回轉，把偏離的根源帶到祢的光中。
主啊，求祢帶領我們離開罪的根源，重新轉向祢，求告祢的名。願祢的恩典從我們生命的根部恢復我們，使我們重新回到祢面前。
奉主耶穌基督的名禱告，阿們。
創世記 4
1 有一日，那人和他妻子夏娃同房，夏娃就懷孕，生了該隱，便說：「耶和華使我得了一個男子。」 2 又生了該隱的兄弟亞伯。亞伯是牧羊的，該隱是種地的。 3 有一日，該隱拿地裡的出產為供物獻給耶和華， 4 亞伯也將他羊群中頭生的和羊的脂油獻上。耶和華看中了亞伯和他的供物， 5 只是看不中該隱和他的供物。該隱就大大地發怒，變了臉色。 6 耶和華對該隱說：「你為什麼發怒呢？你為什麼變了臉色呢？ 7 你若行得好，豈不蒙悅納？你若行得不好，罪就伏在門前。它必戀慕你，你卻要制伏它。」
8 該隱與他兄弟亞伯說話，二人正在田間，該隱起來打他兄弟亞伯，把他殺了。
9 耶和華對該隱說：「你兄弟亞伯在哪裡？」他說：「我不知道。我豈是看守我兄弟的嗎？」 10 耶和華說：「你做了什麼事呢？你兄弟的血有聲音從地裡向我哀告。 11 地開了口，從你手裡接受你兄弟的血，現在你必從這地受咒詛。 12 你種地，地不再給你效力；你必流離飄蕩在地上。」 13 該隱對耶和華說：「我的刑罰太重，過於我所能當的。 14 你如今趕逐我離開這地，以致不見你面，我必流離飄蕩在地上，凡遇見我的必殺我。」 15 耶和華對他說：「凡殺該隱的，必遭報七倍。」耶和華就給該隱立一個記號，免得人遇見他就殺他。
16 於是，該隱離開耶和華的面，去住在伊甸東邊挪得之地。 17 該隱與妻子同房，他妻子就懷孕，生了以諾。該隱建造了一座城，就按著他兒子的名，將那城叫做以諾。 18 以諾生以拿，以拿生米戶雅利，米戶雅利生瑪土撒利，瑪土撒利生拉麥。 19 拉麥娶了兩個妻，一個名叫亞大，一個名叫洗拉。 20 亞大生雅八。雅八就是住帳篷、牧養牲畜之人的祖師。 21 雅八的兄弟名叫猶八，他是一切彈琴吹簫之人的祖師。 22 洗拉又生了土八該隱，他是打造各樣銅鐵利器的。土八該隱的妹子是拿瑪。 23 拉麥對他兩個妻子說：「亞大、洗拉，聽我的聲音，拉麥的妻子，細聽我的話語：壯年人傷我，我把他殺了；少年人損我，我把他害了。 24 若殺該隱遭報七倍，殺拉麥必遭報七十七倍。」
25 亞當又與妻子同房，她就生了一個兒子，起名叫塞特，意思說：「神另給我立了一個兒子代替亞伯，因為該隱殺了他。」 26 塞特也生了一個兒子，起名叫以挪士。那時候，人才求告耶和華的名。
Dear family, peace to you.
Yesterday, as we read Genesis Chapter 3, we saw that after mankind sinned, fear, hiding, and blame entered human life. Man also lost the intimate life of walking with God in the Garden of Eden.
When we come to Genesis Chapter 4, sin no longer remains only with Adam and Eve. It enters the next generation. It enters the family, worship, relationships, and the generations of mankind.
Abel was a keeper of sheep. He brought the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions to the Lord. This shows that he brought the first and the best before God. This was not only about the offering itself, but also about the order of his heart. Abel’s life shows us that man was created to faithfully manage, watch over, and offer back to God what He has entrusted to us.
But Cain walked in another direction. When God did not regard Cain and his offering, Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell. The problem did not begin only when he killed Abel. It had already begun in his heart. Anger, comparison, unwillingness, jealousy, hurt, and the feeling of rejection were slowly lying at the door of his heart.
Before Cain acted out his sin, God had already warned him: “Sin lies at the door.” This is very important. Sin often does not explode suddenly. It first begins in the heart. If a person does not stop before God, sin will begin to work from the root and eventually damage relationships, hurt lives, and even extend into generations.
Therefore, Genesis Chapter 4 today is not only showing us Cain’s failure, nor only Abel’s offering. Through this chapter, God is calling us: while sin is still lying at the door of our hearts, we must turn back, leave the root of sin, and turn again to God.
- Let God’s reminder enter your heart
Genesis 4:6
6 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?”
God saw Cain’s anger, and He also saw that his countenance had fallen. God did not immediately condemn him. Instead, He first asked him, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?” This was God’s mercy, and it was also God’s reminder.
Many times, before we truly fall, God has already reminded us. He may remind us through a word, through an uneasiness in our heart, through the counsel of people around us, or through the gentle light of the Holy Spirit, calling us to stop.
When we find ourselves easily angry, easily comparing, easily unwilling, or easily displeased with others, this may be God reminding us that something in our heart needs to be brought back before Him.
Today, let us not ignore God’s reminder. When God asks us, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?” let us not rush to explain, and let us not rush to blame others. Instead, let us be still and allow the word of God to enter our hearts.
- Bring the root of deviation into the light
Genesis 4:7
7 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.
God said, “Sin lies at the door.” This means that sin is not far away. It is already waiting at the door of the heart. Sin is not without purpose. It wants to seize a person, rule over a person, and pull a person away from God.
Many times, we only want to deal with outward behaviour, but we do not allow God to shine His light on the root within our hearts. We may think we simply have a bad temper, but we do not see the pride behind it. We may think we are simply unhappy, but we do not see the comparison behind it. We may think we are simply hurt, but we do not see the unforgiveness behind it.
If Cain only looked at the outward situation, he would think the problem was that Abel was regarded by God, while he was not. But God wanted him to see that the real issue he needed to face was not Abel, but his own heart.
Today, God is also calling us to bring the root of deviation into the light. It is not only saying, “I will not lose my temper again,” but asking God to shine His light and show us: Why am I so easily angry? It is not only saying, “I will not be jealous,” but asking God to reveal: Why does my heart feel uncomfortable when others are blessed? It is not only saying, “I will not sin,” but asking God to help us see: From which root is sin entering my heart?
God’s light is not to destroy us, but to heal us. God’s light does not only expose darkness; it brings us back into life.
- Turn again to God’s grace
Genesis 4:25-26
25 And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, “For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.”
26 And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the LORD.
Genesis Chapter 4 contains anger, murder, judgment, leaving the presence of God, and the extension of sin through Cain’s descendants. But this chapter does not end in darkness. Abel died, Cain departed, but God still gave Seth.
This shows us that human sin brings destruction, but God’s grace does not stop. Human choices bring loss, but God’s plan is not interrupted. By the time Enosh was born, the Bible says, “Then men began to call on the name of the LORD.”
This is a very important way out for us today. To truly leave the root of sin, we do not rely only on suppressing ourselves, nor only on our own willpower. We must turn again to God and call on the name of the LORD.
No matter how much failure, deviation, brokenness, or irreversible loss there may be in our lives, God is still calling us to turn to His grace. When a person is willing to call on the name of the LORD, life does not have to remain in the extension of sin. It can be brought back before God again.
【Summary】
Genesis Chapter 4 shows us that sin does not suddenly appear from the outside. It first lies at the door of the human heart. Cain’s failure did not begin only when he killed Abel. It began with his anger, comparison, unwillingness, and refusal to turn back.
But this chapter also shows us God’s faithfulness, mercy, and grace. God reminded Cain before he sinned. God still protected his life in judgment. God gave Seth after Abel died. And in the broken history of mankind, God still opened a way for people to call on His name.
Today, through Genesis Chapter 4, God is calling us: turn back and leave the root of sin.
Let God’s reminder enter your heart.
Bring the root of deviation into the light.
Turn again to God’s grace.
【Life Reflection】
Today, let us quietly reflect:
Is there any anger, comparison, unwillingness, or hurt in my heart that is affecting my relationship with God and with others?
Am I only dealing with outward behaviour, without allowing God to shine His light on the deeper root within my heart?
Am I willing to turn back immediately when God reminds me, and call on His name again?
God is not calling us into condemnation today. He is calling us to turn back. He wants to bring the hidden darkness in our hearts into His light, so that we may leave the root of sin and return to His grace.
【Prayer】
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us today through Genesis Chapter 4.
Lord, please shine Your light upon our hearts, so that we may see the anger, comparison, unwillingness, jealousy, and hurt hidden within us.
Help us not to run away, and not to deal with things in our own way, but to be willing to turn back and bring the root of deviation into Your light.
Lord, lead us to leave the root of sin, turn again to You, and call on Your name. May Your grace restore us from the root of our lives and bring us back before You.
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Genesis 4
Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the Lord.” 2 Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.
6 So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 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.”
8 Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.
9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?”
He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”
10 And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground. 11 So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.”
13 And Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear! 14 Surely You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground; I shall be hidden from Your face; I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth, and it will happen that anyone who finds me will kill me.”
15 And the Lord said to him, “Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord set a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him.
16 Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden. 17 And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. And he built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son—Enoch. 18 To Enoch was born Irad; and Irad begot Mehujael, and Mehujael begot Methushael, and Methushael begot Lamech.
19 Then Lamech took for himself two wives: the name of one was Adah, and the name of the second was Zillah. 20 And Adah bore Jabal. He was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. 21 His brother’s name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the harp and flute. 22 And as for Zillah, she also bore Tubal-Cain, an instructor of every craftsman in bronze and iron. And the sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah.
23 Then Lamech said to his wives:
“Adah and Zillah, hear my voice;
Wives of Lamech, listen to my speech!
For I have killed a man for wounding me,
Even a young man for hurting me.
24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold,
Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”
25 And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, “For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.” 26 And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the Lord.
Zion Bread of Life Christian Church 
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