Genesis 4: 6
… And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? AND WHY IS THY COUNTENANCE FALLEN?
Countenance (in this context) is always towards someone: it is the way a person views or perceives you in their heart, so the lifting or falling of countenance is a change that happens in someone’s heart with regards to how they view or perceive another.
Genesis 31:1-5
… And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before… I see your father’s countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me.
Cain initially held God in high regard, he revered Him. The bible tells us that Cain brought offerings to God, which was a form of worship, but after Cain’s offering was rejected, the bible says “and his countenance fell” which means, there was a dramatic change in the man’s heart: he lost his reverence towards God and his attitude towards him changed.
Genesis 4: 8-9
And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?
This behaviour shows a horrifying change in attitude towards God, Cain no longer feared God, he no longer cared. “I know not…” he now had the confidence to lie to God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” notice the attitude within that answer. These are the results of a fallen countenance.
One should always be careful of the temptation of allowing your countenance falling where your relationships are concerned, more especially a relationship with God, with your parents, with your spiritual parents, your spouse, etc.
The danger of a fallen countenance
The falling of a countenance is always triggered by something, Cain’s fallen countenance was triggered by the rejection of his offering. Laban’s countenance was triggered by Jacob’s increasing wealth and Absalom’s was triggered by rape (His sister was raped by his half-brother). So, there is always a trigger.
Unfortunately, when one allows his or her countenance to fall, this is always followed by extremely bad decision making and or behaviours.
- A fallen countenance opens the door to the manifestation of the sin that dwells in our members to have its free cause – Genesis 4: 7
- A fallen countenance triggers the mischief of the heart – Genesis 4: 8; 2 Samuel 13: 22, 28-29
- A fallen countenance ends important (priceless) relationships – Genesis 4: 14 (“…from thy face shall I be hid…”)
- A fallen countenance causes you to reject sound advice – Genesis 4: 7
- A fallen countenance triggers bad manners or attitude – Genesis 4: 9
- A fallen countenance causes a person to be a fugitive and a vagabong in the earth (Aimless wondering on God’s planet) – Genesis 4: 12-14