Pilgrim Ponderings

The Pilgrim Antithesis & Anti-Type Vagabond - Cain

By John Boda

Whenever we read the Bible, we must realize that it is steeped in typology. Many times, you will read a passage that is very literal, and historical, yet at the same time, it has deeper meaning within typology. We must always be careful when venturing into this area, but with divine guidance and a working knowledge of the panoramic Bible picture, we can reap great benefits from it.

The Apostle Paul used it often! In Romans 5:14, he states that "Adam was a pattern of the one to come". (Jesus). (NIV) This word pattern in the Greek is Typos, and is translated "type" in many translations. Jesus used it as well in speaking of Jonah, linking himself in the tomb for three days and nights like Jonah was in the belly of the fish the same time period. Joshua is clearly a type of Jesus who would come, as Joshua's name in Hebrew is the same as Jesus, and they both fight and lead God's people to the Promised Land. The list of types goes on and on throughout the Bible. But you can also look on it from the other way as "anti-types". For instance, Jesus is very much the anti-type of Adam. Adam was the first man, tempted and sinned. Jesus was the first of new, perfect and holy man, was tempted, but never once sinned! (Kind of a bizzarro world spirituality!)

It is this kind of thinking that I want to probe deeper into now in context of pilgrims and every Christ-follower being on a pilgrimage. (For further insight into this concept, please read the first three chapters of this ponderings series posted here)

The Pilgrim Anti-Type

As I stated before, I believe that Abraham is the pilgrim proto-type.

But now I would like to focus on an example of the antithesis to Abraham - the proto-type - which is Cain - the Anti-Type.

Here are five distinctions between Cain and Abraham which help to clarify just what a pilgrim is, and what a pilgrim isn't! These distinctions were all gleaned from the scriptures which give us great insight into these two characters.  Readers are encouraged to look up the passages for themselves for even more helpful insight.

1. Cain is the father of man-made based religions in the world.

Text: Genesis 4:3-5

Cain brings an offering to the Lord, but not in the right way as his brother Abel did. They both knew the right way probably from Adam's instruction, who himself learned it from God when he killed an animal and clothed Adam and Eve with animal skins, requiring the shedding of blood. All man-made religions come to God in a similar way, not in the divinely prescribed way through Jesus' blood by grace through faith, but in their own way of "trying to be good" or in the many ways of trying to please God by their own efforts.

Abraham is the father of the true faithful who come to God in the prescribed way, by our faith reaching out and grasping hold of God's free gift of grace.

Text: Galatians 3:6-9

Here it tells us clearly that Abraham is the father of all who come to God by faith! (Also see the entire fourth chapter of Romans for more insight into the link on Abraham and true faithful pilgrims.) I realize that many have linked Cain and Abel as two types, and all of us today as being based in one or the other. There is some truth in that idea, but I prefer to see the great contrast of Cain and Abraham. Largely because nowhere does it say that Abel is our father, or that we all come from him! In fact, even though Abel was a righteous man of faith, he was most likely killed before he had any children, so his line was completely cut off. (No doubt this was Satan's plan all along). But God's plan cannot be de-railed, somehow the next child, Seth, was protected and went on to become the father of many, including Noah, which means that everyone alive today can be physically traced back to Seth. (I say, physically, because while there are many physical descendants of Abraham, only his spiritual descendants are true pilgrims and Christ-followers. This again, is clearly seen in Romans four, nine, and Galatians three.)

2. Cain is mostly concerned with himself, displaying jealously, envy, anger, hatred and the fruits of that hatred - murder.

Text: Genesis 4:5-9

In this text we see Cain angry, and it implies jealousy and envy at the root cause. We find him murdering his brother, and from Jesus words later at the Sermon on the Mount, he links hatred as the root cause of murder, with murder simply the resulting fruit of hatred within the heart. I have included verse nine because it also reveals more of Cain's selfish heart; “Then the Lord said to Cain," Where is your brother Abel? ”I don't know", he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?".

Without reading too much into these words, it is fair to say that Cain had an independent spirit! (Also a rebellious one, one that defied authority and excused responsibility). I remember once replying to my dad in like manner, with a similar wording and rebellious tone once when I was a young boy. The reason I can still remember it today, is I can almost still feel the soreness of my behind which followed right after!

Abraham displays a completely different character to be sure! No, he was not perfect, and yes he did lie about his wife twice to save his own skin! I am very aware of this, and want to get them out in front right away. But these things even more reinforce the idea of Abraham as a pilgrim, one that we can relate and identify with on our journey. God always sees the heart! He can see far deeper than any of us can see into other people or even ourselves. Even though Abraham stumbled and made mistakes, it was what he did afterward that is so impressive. He was constantly making alters and worshipping God, he communed with God as one does with a close friend. No doubt he confessed his sins and repented during prayer. But now let's move on to a few of his characteristics displaying generosity and one who was thinking more of God's promises and the big picture than just thinking about himself.

Text: Genesis 12:1-9

This is the account of God's initial calling of Abraham. Imagine that you are living your life, where you were born, near or with all your family and friends, and an unknown God appears and tells you to pack up and leave! Not only to leave, but to not take his relatives, and to simply go! Not only that, but to go, and God would show you the specific place later along the way! Although he didn't completely obey (He took some of his family), he did pack up and go! This was not the way most people would behave if they were thinking of themselves and simply living the good life. (Plus, he walked right into a severe famine, no doubt, one he had heard about possibly before he left).

Text: Genesis 13:1-12

Here we see the new land not being big enough for both Abraham and his nephew Lot. They had too many servants, livestock and stuff! So Abraham displays sheer generosity by letting Lot choose any direction to go settle, to the left or to the right. It seems that Lot chooses the far better land that the Bible says was “well watered like the garden of the Lord". In other words, it must have been beautiful and breathtaking! While Abraham moved to the opposite direction, which every indication was far less desirable!

Text: Genesis 14:17-24

Another very impressive display of Abraham's wonderful moral character! He returns from a long ride and victorious battle to rescue his nephew Lot. (Who, although choose the best land to live in, did not take into account the very bad influence of people living there).Abraham also recovers all the wealth and goods that were stolen. After taking part in the first communion (Bread and wine and tithing to Melchizedek - who I believe was a literal appearance of Jesus), he then refuses the seemingly generous offer from the king of Sodom of great bounty and reward. Abraham rightly knows something of this king's bad character and figures that this king will then boast of giving Abraham wealth and take credit for it, even though it was God all along that blessed Abraham and gave him his wealth.

There are more examples, but I think it is clear that Abraham is the anthesis to Cain in this respect! Cain - the vagabond and selfish man, as opposed to Abraham - the pilgrim and generous man!

Also there are many examples of Abraham seemingly more concerned about God's promises being fulfilled, than he is for his own welfare, or even of his children! (See Genesis 22 where he obeys God to sacrifice his son Isaac)

3. Cain, the anti-type of a pilgrim, receives a curse from God and lives his life under that curse.

Text: Genesis 4:10-12

God specifically states that Cain was to be under a curse because of what he had done by killing his brother. In the previous chapter, God cursed the ground (Gen 3:17-19) and now he curses a man who worked the ground. Things had gone from bad to worse! Most people assume,  that this curse simply involved Cain becoming an aimless wanderer, or what is called a vagabond. But this is not entirely true! If you read this text very carefully, you will see that this curse may be more than is commonly known or seen in a casual reading. Cain was to be driven from the land, and the land itself would be much harder, if not impossible, to yield crops for him. But may I suggest that this may not actually be the curse, but rather may be more of the result of the curse?! An important clue as to what the actual curse of Cain was, is seen in Cain's response to God; “My punishment is more than I can bear. Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence, I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me". (Gen 4:13.14)

Although God's handiwork can be seen in everything all over the earth and space, his presence, while there also, is only known and experienced by those who seek him.  At the end of Genesis three, Adam and Eve were sent out from the Garden of Eden. Their relationship with God changed. While in the Garden, they had full access to God, and all the trees except one. But they also had access to the specific tree called The Tree of Life, which indicates that by eating its fruit, you will know God even more intimately. Adam and Eve lived on the east side of the garden (Gen 3:24) not in the garden, but close to it, and this is where Cain and Abel were born and lived as well.

In other words, they all lived still close to God's revealed presence on earth. Now, Cain is cursed to leave the area entirely! Not to just live nearby, but to go out and become an aimless wanderer. I believe that he became an aimless wanderer because of his leaving God's presence. His curse was to not have God's presence around him! Because of that he had great difficulty in direction, and great difficulty in work! He himself realizes this terrible fate and says; "My punishment is more than I can bear". (Gen 4:13)

May I also submit that this is also the punishment and curse of all those today that refuse God's offer of grace through Jesus? They go through life without eternal direction and have great difficulty in eternal based significant work. What I mean by that is, without an eternal based perspective on all that we do, what is the worth of anything? If all that we do and work for is for this short while that we live and die on earth, and then go into the dust with nothing to hope for afterwards, then we have to agree with the writer of Ecclesiastes and say that "all is in vain" and "all is vanity"!

Abraham on the other hand, once again is the opposite and complete antithesis of Cain. While Cain is cursed - Abraham is blessed! Cain's line is cut off forever; Abraham's line is blessed and continues forever! What a contrast!

Text: Genesis 12:2-3

This is the initial calling of Abraham in which God blesses him, and blesses him indeed! God tells him also that he will be a blessing to, not only the people around him, but the whole world! Furthermore, God promises to bless those who bless Abraham and curse those who curse him! It really is one of the most beautiful and richest passages of scripture.

Of course, when God says something, in HAS to happen! There cannot be any partial fulfillment or possible fulfillment, but complete perfection in every way, if God really said it! (Of course, I believe that he DID.)! It seems that Abraham's entire life was a blessing, and all of his descendents are blessed, both his physical and spiritual ones!

(Although many of his physical descendents would disagree due to the constant world-wide hatred and suffering of the Jews, yet it was a huge blessing for God to choose them to give his law and son through them.)

Later, we see Abraham blessed with children when it was impossible for his wife to conceive. Not only children, but his first, Isaac, was the specially blessed son would carry that line of blessing throughout the world and through time.

 Also, remember, I suggested that Cain's curse may have been deeper than just becoming an aimless wanderer? It is possible that the actual curse was to be banished from God's presence and for Cain to not be aware of God for the rest of his life. Now, do we find the opposite of that in Abraham? Namely, do we see him as sensing God's presence and enjoying it his whole life?

Here are a few things to consider:

God appeared to Abraham and spoke to him many times, possibly in a vision or dream.

(Acts 7:2)

God actually physically appeared to Abraham and even had dinner with him! (As a pre-incarnate Christ who appeared as one of the three men visiting Abraham in Genesis 18. This is clear by the change in dialog in verse 10, also this man is spoken of, and called "The Lord" during the rest of the chapter)

God intervened often in Abraham's life, even once when he was concerned about his handmaiden Hagar. God came and spoke to him and told him specifically what to do. (Gen 21:11-13)

Finally, there is one very compelling and telling statement which indicates that God's presence was with Abraham, he probably knew it, because his neighbors knew it. It comes from one of his neighbors, Abimelech, in Genesis 21:22, who said; God is with you in everything you do".

If only all of our neighbors could say the same of us!

4. Cain has the dubious distinction of being the first person on earth to build a city, or even build anything for that matter! In doing so, it indicates putting roots down, settling in and considering that place your homeland.

Text: Genesis 4:17

Not only does it say that Cain was building a city (we can assume he completed it) but it also says that he named it after his son - Enoch.

(Not the same Enoch in the next chapter who loves and walks with God and never dies)

All through the Bible there is a building program in progress. I am not speaking of people and the building of homes, cities and great towers; I am speaking of the more important building programs of the spiritual realm.

For now, I will say that the buildings that I am speaking of are from the primary movers of the world's events, and the affairs of mankind. God has a building that is in progress even now as I type these words, and it has a name - The New Jerusalem.

God's arch-enemy (And copycat) also has a building, that is also in progress at this moment, and it also has a name - Babylon.

I believe that when Cain built his city of Enoch, it was just a very tiny shadow of a much larger one called Babylon. A few chapters later in Genesis eleven, we find another poor copy of Babylon, but probably the most complete earthly version there ever was called The tower of Babel. God personally came and put a stop to it. Babylon represents everything that is evil and at odds with God, his people, and his plan. God commands his people to come out and not be defiled by Babylon in Revelation. 

(Coming during Abraham's example - The New Jerusalem)

Also, in revelation we see the literal destruction of Babylon by God forever! This is seen in Revelation chapter eighteen. An amazing fact is that the word "Hallelujah" is not found anywhere in the New Testament....until right after Babylon is destroyed!

(Rev 19) In fact, hallelujahs break out everywhere, in heaven and earth, and a huge hallelujah chorus breaks out! More on this will be coming up, but I encourage you to read Revelation 18 to the end of the Bible. It is very clear on what will happen, probably not too far in the future.

Abraham never builds a house, a city, or anything that we know of. In fact he lived in tents which were moveable, which he simply rolled up and carried off on donkeys to his next temporary stop.

Text: Hebrews 11: 8-10 and also Hebrews 11: 13-16

The text states that "he had no lasting city", in other words, he had no permanent place to really settle down and call home. He DID have a permanent home in his old land of Ur, but that was before God had called him to leave. After he answered the call, he began the life of a pilgrim who was on a life long journey. Of course, I want to add a word of caution a this point, there are always people who take things to extremes and in a hard literal sense, namely, taking this idea and selling their house, and all possessions, and becoming a homeless hobo! This is not what the scripture is teaching, and not at all what I am writing about here! In fact, Abraham, the pilgrim proto-type, was very rich. He owned many possessions, so much that he had trouble sharing land with his nephew Lot who also had much wealth as well. Abraham also lived in tents, but most likely they were not the kind of little pup tents that we pitch for kids in the back yard. I suspect, with his great wealth and entourage, they were very large and probably were more like portable houses than tents. What I am speaking of here is the inner attachments of our hearts. The question that we must ask, and the one which God most certainly knows the answer, is: “Do we have all our love, focus and attention on only this life and world......or do we live here, while really seeking, loving, searching, and hoping for the one with eternal foundations?".

5. Cain's Ultimate End:

"....they are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind, autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted - twice dead. They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame, wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever."

Jude 12-13 (NIV)

(This verse is in context of speaking of evil men, Balaam, Korah, and Cain.)

Abraham's Ultimate End:

" Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

Daniel 12:3 (NIV)

The word "wise" in the text above does not simply mean to be smart or smarter than others. It comes from the Hebrew word:

Sakal - which means to act prudently, to pay attention, to consider something. Of course, the Bible is clear of what specifically it is to be paid attention to, the message of Christ and the Gospel! To listen to God's call, who is really calling all of us to enter the pilgrim way and begin a life long journey to his eternal city.

This conclusion may sound very "black and white", it may seem too rigid and narrow with no other alternatives available. But God is the one who wrote the book, and he is the designer of the plan, while it may seem that way to us, God's pilgrim way is large, and full of grace, mercy, and creativity!

To further re-enforce this idea of being on the pilgrim way, or not being on the pilgrim way, I'll leave you with the verse just before the one quoted above:

" Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt."

Daniel 12:2  (NIV)

Thanks for reading along, I hope and pray that you are with me along the journey, grace & peace! John Boda