This is another story I remember disliking when I was younger (yes, I did like some of them I promise). Interestingly, this is now one of my favorite stories. Not because of what ultimately happens but because of what this story demonstrates about God's character. Let's have a look.
The story opens with Eve giving birth to her first-born son Cain. She seems pretty happy about it when she declares, "with the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man." I've heard people speculate that she was hopeful this child would crush the serpent's head as told by God in 3:15. If only the serpent's reign could have been crushed so quickly! However, Cain is no deliverer. Quite the opposite in fact.
The story picks up when Cain and his brother Abel bring offerings to God in verses 3 and 4. There is a strong contrast between the two brothers here. Cain's vegetable offerings are contrasted in verse 4 with fat portions of the firstborn of Abel's flock. There's a lot of speculation about the acceptability of the offerings themselves. Did God dislike broccoli? Were there already rules in place about acceptable offerings? I speculate that Cain offering "fruits of the soil" - soil that God had cursed - might display an attitude problem. Offering fruit from cursed soil may have, by association, carried with it a bitter rebuke. It's as if he is saying, "here, I offer a portion of this harvest that you have cursed and made meager. You deserve nothing more." But I am only speculating about the cursed soil being the issue.
However, the adjectives that describe the offerings suggest very different attitudes from the brothers. Abel clearly chooses the best of what he has while Cain does not. Cain's attitude, more than anything else, is at the heart (pun intended) of the problem.
So, God doesn't look with favor on Cain's offering and Cain gets very angry in verse 5. And here is the part of the story that changed my attitude about it. God doesn't leave Cain alone. Think of the wealth of things God could have done. He could have destroyed Cain for being a sullen giver. He could have told Cain that their relationship was ended and he should never return. But that's not what God does! He pursues Cain. He goes to him to talk and work through the problem. God goes to a sullen, rebellious, murderous Cain and tries to mend the brokenness in their relationship! He asks, "Why are you angry?" Now of course, God knows why Cain is angry but he gives him the chance to express himself. This might also be a rhetorical question suggesting that Cain shouldn't be angry with the situation. This is probably a better interpretation since God next says (with my paraphrase), "do what is right and I'll accept you." God tells Cain that this isn't a permanent situation, he can make a choice and be accepted. And, God warns Cain. He tells him that he is on a path to be owned by sin. This is also amazing to me. Cain is already on this angry murderous path and God still pursues him. The reason I find it so amazing is because this is a depiction of God's pursuing character. He actively pursues us even when we are broken and rebellious. When I re-read this story several years ago, my picture of God was angry and wrath-filled, and I was shocked at how gracious he was acting.
The story continues and Cain ignores God and murders his brother. Then Cain denies that he did anything in verse 9. When God reveals Cain's lie and explains his punishment, Cain essentially tells him it's unfair in verse 13. At this point, Cain has hit strike four (ignoring, murdering, denying, and whining), but what does God do? He protects Cain from harm! This is a far cry from how I would react and a far cry from a depiction of God as a raging tyrant.
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