"CONNECTIONS"
Answers to questions:
Why didn’t God have Cain executed for murder?
This is an interesting question; obviously Cain was a murderer, and the very opposite of what God desires from a child of God.
Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. 1 John 3:12
I can see how Cain’s murder of his brother could appear to be a contradiction since his punishment seems minimal when looking at God’s law:
Thou shalt not kill” (Exod. 20:13)
But consider this:
For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. (Rom. 5:13)
At that time sin was not a transgression; it was merely rebellion against God. Remember, God had not given the law or the Ten Commandments yet but, they were judged because they sinners.
Also, in God’s eyes all sin is awful; no sin is acceptable or of greater condemnation; so the ultimate punishment for any sin is broken fellowship with God. Cain (and most of the generation from him) was alienated from God because of their sin.
I often need this as a reminder: God is sovereign; right, and just in every thing He does; and on this side of glory we won’t understand all of His ways.
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