Genesis 4:13

Memory Verse

And Cain said to the LORD, “My perversity is greater than I can bear.”

After Cain slew his brother, the LORD inquired of Cain concerning Abel. Cain lies to the LORD and responds to His inquiry, asking if he is his brother’s keeper. The blood of Abel, however, cries out to the LORD from the ground, bearing witness against Cain (Genesis 4:9–10). 

God punishes Cain for slaying his brother by cursing the ground so that it will not produce its strength anymore for Cain and sending him to wander throughout the earth (Genesis 4:11). 

āwōn (עָוֹן) is a Hebrew word that means perversity. It describes the corrupt human nature that resulted from Adam’s trespass, not avenge (נקם nqm), chastening (יסר ysr), or condemnation (רשׁע rš); thus implying punishment.

Cain cried out because he could not control his sin nature as God had instructed him to rule over it when he offered the works of his hands and was rejected (Genesis 4:7). Cain then expresses his concern over what will happen to him when the others discover what he has done (Genesis 4:14). There is no remorse for his actions, only concern for his own welfare. 

Cain again displays that he is following Satan by disregarding God’s word and building a city to dwell in (Genesis 4:16–17), out of which comes the first world system designed by Satan to control the sin nature of man.