Who’s afraid of the big, bad wolf?

Part IV - The Beast

November 25, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

Recap: Last week on Theophilus we explored the biblical meaning of sacrifice. Today, we will encounter what God said was lurking at Cain’s door.

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Who’s afraid of the big, bad wolf?

The Doctor faces the Beast in “The Satan Pit” (2006).

Ever seen a trenchcoat wearing alien fight Satan?

Because this is the kind of stuff that happens in the British sci-fi classic, Doctor Who.

In the two-parter episodes of “The Impossible Planet” and “The Satan Pit”, the show’s hero, the Doctor, goes head-to-head with evil itself.

This villain, referred to as “the Beast”, is imprisoned in an ancient planet and is hellbent (haha) on escaping and wreaking havoc on the universe. 

Naturally, the Beast is defeated by the heroes and the day is saved, though not everyone survives. 

This story, and the Beast itself, possess some helpful parallels for our discussion in Genesis 4.

Sin as “the Beast”

Cain’s heart wasn’t in the right place.

So, God warns Cain… 

Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it. (Genesis 4v7)

God warns Cain about “sin,” which is essentially what happens when we act against God’s love.

The Bible says that sin is interwoven with human nature. Human history is a testament to this.

But despite our inclination to sin, humans aren’t without hope. Just look at Abel, the acceptance of his sacrifice suggests that sin didn’t have complete influence over his life.

In other words, it can be mastered.

Master or Mastered

God tells Cain that while his heart isn’t in a good place it doesn’t have to stay there. He can improve.

The opposite is also true.

God describes sin as a predator stalking the soul, waiting for the right moment to swoop in and consume it completely. 

This is something we all struggle with. Master the Beast or let the Beast master you.

Binding of Fenrir by Lydia Avery Kassinos 

If God is a “jealous God” (Exodus 20v5), meaning a relationship with Him requires full commitment, then the Beast is a “jealous Beast” unwilling to share a single inch of our being with God.

The story of Cain and Abel is a case study in this, an example of what happens when a person gives in to the Beast.

We’ll see tomorrow that it’s not pretty.

Application: Where do you feel the Beast is mastering you instead of you mastering the Beast? Take this to God and ask Him for the grace to instead follow the example of Jesus.

For now, be blessed.

Jon

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