Two Brothers and a Gracious God

 

                                                                  

            Cain and Abel

  Art by Lorenzo de Ferrari, 1680-1744

       Eve cradled her newborn son in her arms. God had helped her through this childbirth, blessing Cain with a brother. As time passed, her husband, who was a farmer, trained his firstborn to follow in his footsteps. The second son became a shepherd. 

     Both Adam and Eve had always worshiped God, but before the birth of the boys, they had succumbed to temptation and God had driven them from their home in Eden. Angels who brandished flaming swords were guarding the tree of life, and they would never again enjoy paradise. In his mercy and grace, God blessed them with Cain and Abel, restoring hope and giving them a future. 

    The boys knew they could please God by their obedience and their worship. Cain, the elder son, presented an offering he’d produced by the sweat of his brow, but Abel brought fat portions from the firstborn of his flock. He sacrificed a lamb and spilled its blood. When God drove his parents from Eden, he sacrificed animals to provide them with clothing and to cover their nakedness. God shed blood because he demanded the sacrifice of a life for the forgiveness of sin. The payment or wages for sin is death.

   God accepted Abel’s sacrifice and rejected Cain’s offering. His blood boiled. I imagine Cain shaking his fist at the sky as he cursed heaven. Why did God reject his efforts? His hours of work were wasted; Abel had merely sacrificed and cooked a lamb. The rotten pipsqueak!

  When God sets the rules, it pays to listen. If we fall victim to temptation, God may poke his finger in our direction to warn us we’re heading for destruction, and that’s what he did for Cain. He called him to account.

“Why are you angry and downcast? If you do what is right, won’t you be accepted? Sin wants to control you, but you must master it.”

 Cain was so angry he wouldn’t listen. Since his offering wasn’t good enough for God, he lashed out at his brother.

 “Let’s go out to the field.” And out of their parents’ sight, Cain killed Abel. As his brother’s lifeless body slumped at his feet, Cain strutted away. The deed was done and dusted, and no one had seen him.

   Except God.

                                           

    “Where is your brother, Cain?”

   “I don’t know, and why should I care? Do you expect me to be his minder?”

   “His blood calls to me from the ground. You are under a curse and driven from the very ground, which opened to receive your brother from your hand. Your crops will fail, and you will wander the earth, a restless vagabond.”

 Although God brought Cain to his knees, he didn’t abandon him. Terror gripped Cain and he complained to God that someone would avenge his murderous act by killing him. God disagreed. He promised to protect Cain with a mark. If anyone defied it, God’s vengeance would increase seven times. Cain left God and lived in Nod. We never hear that he repented. If you wish to read the biblical account, refer to Genesis 4. 

  What do I learn from this ancient story?

These circumstances remind me of Jesus’ parable about the prodigal sons. God, the loving Father, provides for his children, warns them of the consequences of disobedience because he longs for their gratitude and love. They decide whether they accept his gracious provision. Cain knew God required a sacrifice, but he ignored it. God warned him jealousy could control him, but Cain let it master him. He showed contempt for his brother’s blood, just as the older son in Jesus's parable despised his father’s loving forgiveness. The younger prodigal son could have enjoyed his father’s lifelong love, support, and inheritance, but he despised it in favor of immediate gratification. His loving father waited for him to come home. The father’s love never failed, and when the young man came back repentant, he received him with open arms. See Luke 15:11-31.

 Our loving heavenly Father waits for us to admit our disobedience and repent, always ready to receive us into his loving embrace. Until the day we die, he extends his grace and mercy.

     God could have avenged Abel’s life with Cain’s immediate death, but he protected him. 

Abel pleased God, and his faith gave him the courage to offer his sacrifice. Although Abel may not have realized Cain would kill him, he must have endured the anguish of Cain’s jealousy. He suffered because he obeyed God and Jesus has listed him among the prophets. Luke 11:51. Abel’s blood cried from the ground, and God heard it, but it was a senseless and jealous crime which also ruined the perpetrator’s life.

    God could have condemned everyone, but he sent his Son to rescue us. 

Jesus, the Son of God, shed his blood, and God allowed it. His sacrifice was of lasting value because Jesus stood in for us on the cross and rose again to conquer sin and death. All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. Have you admitted your guilt to God?  Will you listen to his warning and accept his sacrifice was sufficient for your sin? Jesus is the only way to God. No one can earn their salvation. He won’t balance your good deeds against your bad. His standard is a perfect life and Jesus is the only one who qualifies. Without the shedding of blood, there is no cancellation of sin. Jesus, the perfect man, paid this price and satisfied God’s wrath for repentant sinners.

   How do we respond to temptation? A handsome man or a beautiful woman may attempt to seduce us, and the emotional lure is both subtle and enticing. The love of money may drive our ambitions to the extent we ignore God’s call on our lives. Drugs and alcohol dull pain until the effects wear off. Then we want more. If God points out these vices lead to destruction, will we listen to his loving warning, or barge headlong into disaster?

 We deserve to suffer the consequences of our foolishness because God the Father, the lawgiver and judge, has warned us. We know we should obey him, but a godless society wants us to ignore him. What will you decide? Will you be like Cain and suffer the consequences of your sin? You may question if Abel’s faith was worthy of the cost of his life. Despite his earthly existence being cut short, his faith honored God, who blessed him with eternal life and preserved his testimony as a witness to the world. He became the first martyr. Cain's story warns us of sin's consequences. 

This life is short compared to eternity. Where will you spend yours? In heaven with Jesus, or alone in evil darkness with no one to rescue you? See Luke 16:19-31. 

 ‘Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.’ 2 Corinthians 6:2.

 Let’s listen to his warning and be obedient to his loving call. Heaven is paradise regained, and God wants us there to be with him forever.

 You’ll discover Abel’s name among the heroes of the faith in Hebrews 11, and if you follow this blog, I plan to walk in these heroes’ shoes over the coming months. God willing, we will meet again in this space in two weeks. The Lord bless you.