Back to Evangelism 2

Genesis 3 and 4 give us the tragic results of what happened when man exercised his freedom of moral decision and chose to do what was right in his own eyes instead of choosing to be lovingly obedient to God.

First, we see that the humans are "enlightened" - their eyes are opened to a new reality. Next, we see that the humans have a different relationship with God. They are afraid of him. Then, we see the results of the decision. God explains the significance of the decision and pronounces judgment on the creature that tempted the humans to be disobedient in the first place. (This judgment speech in Genesis 3:14-15 is important - because it shows that this was not according to God's
design.)

If this were all the information that we had, it would be sad, but chapter 4 is very important in seeing the repercussions for human disobedience. We see in Genesis 4 the horrible result - the real curse that comes from disobedience: sub-human behavior. Cain, in premeditated, jealous rage, kills his brother. Now we see the problem. Humans were created to behave like God but, by choosing disobedience, they have introduced sub-godly and sub-human behavior: sin, murder. Instead of filling the earth with people who are lovingly obedient to God, the earth begins to be filled with rebellious, sinful people - the kind of people who will murder their own brothers. This becomes the legacy of man. But there is a plan in place...