# 56 Not A Hint Of Repentance

The Book of Genesis Day 56 Ge 4:13 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. Doesn’t your heart just ache for Cain? A farmer by trade, the land would no longer yield a crop to him. He will be a vagabond trying to scratch out a living! He will have no place to call home! A fugitive who will always be looking over his shoulder, should someone seek to avenge the death of Abel. Cain says, “my punishment is greater than I can bear!” Well, before we start feeling too sorry for Cain, let’s not forget his crime. He killed his brother in a pre-meditated fashion! Notice too, that there is something missing in Cain’s response. There is not one hint of remorse! It makes me want to grab Cain and shake him and say, “You fool! Confess your sin! Turn to God! He will forgive you! He will restore you! “ But alas, it wouldn’t do any good. Cain’s heart has become set, like concrete. He is hardened to the love of God. He has steeled himself off to God’s mercy! He has thrown his lot in with the devil as we read in 1Jo 3:12, “ not as Cain who was of the wicked one,” Cain is afraid, but even in the fear of his flesh, he refuses to turn to God with a repentant heart, rather he complains about the fact that someone might find him and kill him. This is so sad, but it also points out a great spiritual truth found in Pr 14:32, “The wicked is banished in his wickedness, But the righteous has a refuge in his death.” Cain is a forever example of all who refuse to turn from their wicked ways (sin) and turn toward God! They will forever be away from fellowship with the Lord, banished for all eternity. No wonder they fear death! But look at the plight of the righteous, those who by grace, turn to God through the Lord Jesus Christ. They may take refuge in their death. They have hope in spades thanks to the death and resurrection of Jesus! God extended mercy toward Cain, putting some sort of a mark on him that would prevent anyone from avenging the death of Abel. This mark gives Cain more time to repent! God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked ! Eze 33:11 says, "Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways!” The mercy extended to Cain, is also extended to you and I. As long as there is breath in our bodies, we have an opportunity to turn to Christ and live……just ask the thieves on the cross. One was banished for all eternity, the other found refuge in Jesus in death. Reflect: Have you ever felt that someone unfairly punished you? What’s the most severe punishment you have ever received? Do you fear death? Why or why not? Pray: Father, thank You for Your longsuffering with us. We pray especially for those who stubbornly resist Your saving grace. Open their eyes now or even at the last minute as you did the thief on the cross and grant them Your gift of repentance and salvation.