"Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod,[f] east of Eden" (Genesis 4:16).
All throughout Scripture this pattern continues. The oldest, or natural-born son, is unfaithful and God provides another faithful son to continue the line.
- Jacob counts on Reuben who fails him, and God appoints Judah instead.
- Israel and Saul set their hopes on Saul as king, but he fails. God has Samuel anoint David instead.
- David loves Absalom, but he betrays him, and God provides Solomon instead.
- Jesus is the God-appointed "younger brother" to the unfaithful Sanhedrin.
Painfully, the pattern continues for believers today. I have seen it several times where faithful parents have a child who leaves the faith and the family, like Cain did. The parents, like Adam and Eve I'm sure, are deeply grieved. But somehow God provides another. He gives Seth to Adam and Eve. He may give other "adopted" children or grandchildren to parents who have for now lost their own children to the world.
However dark it seems when those you love the most go astray, God will provide a way and redeem His people.
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