John now moves us to the universal Agape that is GOD'S super glue holding all together as one family, one body and one faith as described by Paul in his Ephesians Epistle chapter 4. Soon enough John himself will pull back the cover of GOD'S hidden secret.
1John 3:11-12 "For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 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." (KJV)
1John 3:11-12 "For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous." (ESV)
1John 3:11-12 "Our Agape for one another was the topic of conversation from the start GOD had nothing less in mind than a loving family! Cain's [1]killing of his brother Abel, is in such contrast to this! His motivation was clearly [2]sourced in the [3]poneros tree-system; his idea of Divine [4]favor was to count on his own works as being superior to his brother's faith righteousness. ( Immediately after the fall, Adam named the woman Eloyim (Elohim) gave him, Eve, [in Hebrew Chawah, and in Greek, Zoe, to live.] he thus co-echoes and reinforces the prophetic word that Eloyim (Elohim) gave him: Life in the face of death! "The seed of the woman, shall crush the deceiver's head!" [G2258 ēn, Imperfect of G1510 eimi, I am, from G1511 einai, to exist] The fallen mindset shall be destroyed! [G2258 ēn, imperfect of G1510 eimi, I am, G1498 eiēn, might be, G2071 esomai, will be again, G2070 esmen, we are, have our being, G2468 isthi, second person imperative present of G1510, means, be holly] So here, in their two sons, we have the first generation of fallen humanity confronted with their personal pursuit of a lost identity and a lost sense of value and grace. Caleb's motivation was clearly sourced [2, G1537 ek, out of, origin] in the [3, G1228 of verse 10] diabolos [cast down], which is so typical of the [3, G4190] poneros tree-system. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil [poneros] represents humanity's lost sense of identity and righteousness, where the global pursuit of humanity would now be our constant effort to achieve righteousness by way of religious means of our own works. This inevitably leads to gross disappointment where shame replaces innocence, and union and fellowship are lost. The word, poneros, suggests to be full of hardships, labors and annoyances. Genesis 3:19; "In the sweat of your face shall you eat your bread." The sacrifice of Cain is exactly that! It represents his trust in the fruit of his own toil to gain him a [4, G5484 G5101, means wherefore] favorable [charin] standing with GOD.
We have the prophetic picture of a scapegoat repeated here in Genesis 4. Not only in the sacrifice that Abel brought; but also in him being murdered by his brother! Just like we would one day murder our brother Jesus! In Genesis 3, Eloyim did not clothe Adam with the skin of an animal because of a divine need to be appeased, but because of their unconditional agape for Adam; they spoke the language of Adam's own judgment: Adam, not Eloyim look at Adam differently, but to make Adam feel better about himself! And ultimately it was to prepare Adam for the unveiling of the mystery of humanity's redemption in the incarnation. Here Deity would clothe themselves in human skin in a Son, and the Loin of Judah would become the Lamb of GOD in order to free our minds to re-discover his image and likeness in our skin! Revelation 5:5-6.
Only John uses the word [1, G4969] sphatzo, which speaks of a slaying. Four times in the book of Revelation he employs this word in the context of the slain Lamb of GOD.
Look also at Hebrews 11:4, "It was faith that made the difference between the sacrifice of Abel and Cain, and confirmed Abel's righteousness. GOD bore witness to righteousness as a gift rather than a reward! Even though he was murdered, his faith still has a voice today."
Philo a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher says, that in the dispute between Cain and Abel, Abel attributed all things to GOD, and Cain ascribed everything to himself; so that the controversy was about grace verses works. [Philo lived c. 25BCE - c. 50 CE]
The tree of the knowledge of good and evil represents a fallen identity; the thought that likeness with GOD could be earned through good intentions, rather than realizing the gift of life that already defines his image and likeness in us.) (The Mirror, with editing.)
The author of this study Bible has between verses 12 and 13 a few thoughts on why the other tree and why the temptation tree. he also covers allot of ground between John's record here and John's vision picture book of the Christ in the world record book of Revelation. For now I am jumping over these two thought areas. This to get others to acquire their own book.
Now may the LORD increase our understanding of Him.
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