Crouching at the door

Reading 4: Genesis 4

Cain and Abel. The first reported sibling rivalry.

We're never told exactly what was wrong with Cain's offering to God. There aren't any "laws" at this point in the story, so the brothers are choosing to give God an offering. We're merely given the description of the two's offerings. Abel: fat portions from the firstborn of his flock, Cain: fruits of the soil. We are just told that God looked with favor on Abel and not on Cain. But, why?

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 master it.

Maybe Cain knew all along what he was supposed to do? Maybe he knew that his offering was not a real "offering" but a mere duty? He gave while his heart harbored sin. And God does not look lightly on hearts harboring sin.

My offering...what kind of attitude is it given with? Do I do so out of duty, because it's "my job", or do I do so because it's the right thing to do?

Other points that caught my attention:

1. Were there people living outside of the garden? Adam & Eve's first recorded sons are Cain and Abel, so why is Cain afraid of people that will kill him when God sends him away??.....

2. Lamech, o Lamech. It's such a odd, random story. Just a few verses, why is it even in there? I once tried to do some back ground on it, and found relatively nothing. It's just odd to me that he would claim the same "protection" that Cain was granted merely for being family. Perhaps Lamech is included to demonstrate the continuance of ruthlessness and aggression within the family?