I think the curse god places on Cain is meant to haunt anyone who tries to follow in his footsteps with murder. Cain is allowed to live after he killed his brother but he can no longer farm which is his life’s work. That is a constant punishment for him because no matter how hard he tries he would never be able to do what he loves anymore.
After hearing he can no longer farm he wanted god to kill him but he was allowed to live. That is like the icing on the cake because now not only can’t he farm he is going to be haunt by the murder of his brother. Even if he doesn’t feel sorry about killing his brother, the consequence is far worst than he can live with.
God also said anyone who tries to kill Cain for vengeance will receive a his punishment seven folds. That’s a scare tactic because now a person would think about the consequences of there actions instead of just being impulsive.
Do you mean that God curse upon him because he wants to notice other people that do not be a killer?
I definitely agree that the murder of Abel set the precedent of the consequence for murdering another. God’s enforcing his authority by letting humanity know the consequence for killing another human. I agree when you write that there’s a “constant punishment” for Cain because his life is stripped away. What he has to do now is hide from the face of Earth and God.
I agree that it seems as thought God has made a clear statement that those who follow in Cain’s footsteps will deal with long-term punishment. I do not know if this became a scare tactic, but I think that God wanted a clearer message for sins. You made a very good point.
I like the point you made about putting the curse on Cain to show his followers of which path not to take. If you choose the path of sin, then you will be punished. This shows that we are born of sin but we are able to choose what life we want for ourselves. We can either be a sinner or a “good” follower.