The altar flickers with fire. Abel’s offering rises as a fragrant aroma to the heavens. God’s favor rests on the younger brother. Abel’s eyes glisten with joy as he senses God’s delight.
But from the shadows, Cain watches. His jaw tightens. His fists curl. His heart pounds with a violent rhythm of envy and despair.
“Why Abel? Why not me?”
The blessing Abel receives feels like theft to Cain. He feels he’s been robbed of something that was meant for him.
Hatred builds in Cain’s heart… The hatred is not just for Abel but for the God who dared to bless another.
And soon, that hatred demands blood.
Cain’s name means “acquired” or “brought forth.” Eve declared at his birth: “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord” (Genesis 4:1).
Some theologians suggest she may have thought Cain was the promised “seed” who would crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15).
Imagine growing up with that expectation. Cain may have been raised to believe he was the chosen one, the golden child destined to restore Eden.
Entitlement became his inheritance.
So when Abel’s offering was blessed and his was not, Cain’s world collapsed. He was the “chosen one.” Yet God chose another. That perceived injustice birthed a hatred that consumed him.
And that’s what entitlement does:
When we believe we’re “owed” love, we resent those who have it.
When we believe we’re “owed” wealth, we despise the rich.
When we believe we’re “owed” success, we envy the successful.
Entitlement is the opposite of grace. Grace says, “I am owed nothing, yet God gives freely.” Entitlement says, “I deserve everything, and God is unfair if I don’t get it.”
Cain’s tragedy is the fruit of entitlement unchecked.
God, in mercy, confronted Cain:
“Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” (Genesis 4:6–7)
Sin is personified here as a predator, like a beast stalking its prey.
In our Fallen Garden series, we imagine this beast as a seductive figure, whispering promises of vengeance and satisfaction, yet leading only to destruction.
Cain had a choice. He could resist. He could master it. God gave him the warning, the way out. But Cain opened the door.
And like lust that entices before it enslaves, Cain’s hatred devoured him. He rose up and killed his brother. This was an act not just against Abel, but against God Himself.
FALLEN GARDEN EPISODE 2 | A BROTHER’S BLOOD
The story of Cain and Abel is one of the most important stories in history. It teaches us about entitlement, hatred toward God, and the tragic cycle of jealousy. Episode 2 of Fallen Garden has everything from dinosaurs to romance with sin itself. Check it out now! 👇🏽
