Cheleb: The Finest

When one “goes through the motions,” there is a lack of satisfaction. Whether we are talking about work, about family life, about church life, or about pastoring a congregation; if your heart is not in it, there is no satisfaction to be derived.

Without satisfaction it is easier for the Adversary to plant “ill” thoughts and imaginations that lead to depression, anger, and eventually sin. Our interests become less focused on others and become increasingly internalized.

Depressed people find themselves saying things like, “If only …,” or “Why doesn’t anyone ever …?” or the granddaddy of them all, “No one cares about me or my needs.” This frame of mind can become spiritually cannibalistic, making everything seem distant and meaningless because “I’m” not being ministered to.

If Cain was simply going through the motions, lacked satisfaction, and saw Abel’s successes, he may very well have slumped into a self-centered depression.

Now you or I would probably load accolades on Abel, the nice boy, the good boy, and might leave Cain to his own devises. But this is not what God does. The changeless God of compassion reaches out to Cain.

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?” (Gen. 4:6).

Does this sound like the voice of an Old Testament, wrathful God? Rather, it sounds like a concerned brother or father. He sees Cain’s depression (Why has your countenance fallen?), and the resulting anger.

But Cain is too self-absorbed. He doesn’t even see the great honor being bestowed upon him. There is no record of God talking with Abel the righteous, but God does talk to Cain the unrighteous. While God had no respect for Cain’s offering—the man in sin—he deeply cared about him.

As Cain had sown, now he would reap. By his own bad attitude, his offering received no respect, and his darkened mind does not receive or respect God’s offering of omniscient advice—even though the Almighty is reaching out to him.

If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it (Gen. 4:7).

The Creator offers wisdom from on High. “Try harder, apply yourself,” is the advice. In other words, “If you give it your best, you can beat the depression. Give up the ‘what does it matter?’ attitude and get over your pity party. If you settle for second-best, sin will overcome you.”

Tags: cheleb, finest

Category: Biblical Studies, Spring 2000