The First Murder Teaches

Cain, the firstborn human being, killed his brother Abel because he was overwhelmingly saddened that the Lord God looked at his brother’s lamb with joy, and didn’t as much as glance at his basket of luscious grapes and figs that he produced by the sweat of his brow (as any gardener knows) because of the curse that God put on his father, Adam.

Immediately noticing Cain’s reaction, God kindly told him that his fallen countenance showed self-centeredness and was wrong because, by focusing on himself, he alienated both God and his brother. That attitude defines sin. Sin is a short word that separates us from God and others. But then God ended on a high note, telling Cain to relax, to be silent and master the thoughts that were turning his disappointment into anger.

Cain did not heed God. He didn’t care about God’s opinion, or about Abel, or the lamb. He persisted in magnifying the insult. So, he told his brother that they should leave. Abel acquiesced. God acquiesced.

When they were far enough away, Cain stabbed Abel, as if it was Abel’s fault that God favored his sacrifice. Who wouldn’t admire a cute little lamb before a bunch of grapes? Nevertheless, there was blood everywhere, pouring onto the earth and covering Cain’s hands.

God noticed and made Himself obvious to Cain again. He asked Cain where his brother was.

Cain replied, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

Offering this arrogant young man a hint, God said, “I heard Abel’s blood crying to me from the earth.” Then God proceeded to apply the punishment intended to give Cain pause to reconsider his warped reaction; i.e., for the rest of his life farming would be even harder and he would be a fugitive.

Cain suddenly realized the severity of his crime and immediately feared for his own life as what he deserved. God was disappointed when Cain murdered his brother and lied to Him, but He did not respond in anger or in retaliation. He administered a relatively minor punishment followed by compassion. Just as He provided clothing for Adam and Eve after their fallout, He applied a mark on their criminal son, Cain, to protect him from being killed.

Cain killing his brother showed Adam and Eve what ‘death’ is; the curse was revealed decades later with the death of Abel and continues until the end of time.

In the world where death was introduced, the antithesis was also offered. Death of the body is inevitable; however, mastering our thoughts and love will quench the death of the soul. God’s lovingly response to Cain’s crime of passion, tells us how to respond to offenses and insults. Don’t magnify it as Cain did. Let it go, as God did. Striving to restore the image and likeness of God in you and me is the super narrow gate that we must force our way through to arrive in Paradise. Fortunately, many of us are given plenty of opportunities to practice! That’s life!