Cain and Abel (Am I My Brother's Keeper?)

Today's Reading:

• Genesis 3:1-4:26
• Proverbs 1:7-9

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Genesis 3:1-4:26
My reading in Genesis today covered the exile of Adam and Eve and the murder of Abel by the hands of Cain. I have heard the exile story so many times that I really didn't get much extra out of reading it. There were some things about the story of Cain and Abel that left me with questions, however.

The story of Abel and Cain is in chapter four of Genesis. The chapter starts with the birth of the two sons. Then Cain murders his brother and the Lord calls him out on it, sending him to exile. Here is where I'm confused -- he went to another colony, and married, and so forth. I'm just wondering where all the people came from? I mean, it's a given that they're brought forth from Adam and Eve, right?

So I guess I'll just assume that they had many children before Cain and Abel came along, and those children had already had children? I forget that the life spans were phenomenally huge. I just find it odd that no other children were mentioned before Cain and Abel. Perhaps there's a generation list somewhere else I haven't gotten to? I'm interested to know just how many children Adam and Eve actually had.

Proverbs 1:7-9
Wow, three short versus fill me with so many thoughts! Verses eight and nine are about the wisdom of our parents, and the importance of listening and following what they have to say.

I pay attention to what my father has to say to me when he gives advice. When I told my father I wanted to go into accounting, he told me that accounting would be replaced by computing. So I became a computer programmer instead. Was his advice a bit off? Well, yes, for today’s age -- but perhaps it will be true by the time my children have joined the working force. But I couldn’t be happier, especially when it comes to job security, because I know that even if I get laid off, I won’t have much trouble at all moving on. I am glad that I listened to and followed what he had to say.

What I get from my mother is the best gift of all -- the grace of God.  I don't think I would have a fraction of the faith I have now if it weren't for her.  This also ties in beautifully with this message because the first half of verse nine reads “What you learn from them will crown you with grace.”