But for this, Abel might never have felt the need to do the same. Thats what Jesus came to earth forto pay the price once and forevermore. It reminds us to count the cost of obedience. 6. She is known as the "Mother of All the Living." Even though her accomplishments are remarkable, little else is known about Eve. The third son, Sheit (Seth) was spiritually superior to both of them. Also the oldist in the last supper was on the left side of Jesus and betrayed him who Jesus said had a demon .and the one Jesus loved was on his right John the youngest this is a picture of first Adam Judest and second Adam John. Ask God to love that person through you. The real reason, however lies in the sacrifices. so it is possible that God had instructed them on the particular sacrifice that he wanted. The article was first republished in Bible History Daily on June 1, 2015. Cain and Abel: The first two brothers of the first family in history. Cain broke the commandments of Moses. How do their offerings differ and how did Gods response to their offerings differ? This child was Cain, their firstborn son. Give an example of someone doing a right action with a wrong attitude or motive. If a thief penetrates into a forbidden garden, is it not the guards fault?. At the inception of Wiesels Supporting Roles series in Bible Review, BAS editors wrote: We are pleasedand honoredto present our readers with the first of a series of insightful essays by Elie Wiesel, the world-renowned author and human rights advocate. I think those saying God wanted a blood sacrifice are wrong; a sacrifice (korban in Hebrew, from the root meaning near) is supposed to be something near and dear to the offerer. Scripture does not tell us specifically why Abels sacrifice was more acceptable or better than Cains, but what are some possible implications from this verse as to why? 4 Adam[ a] made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. Sep 22, 2021. More details: http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102013271. (Gen. 3:15; 4:1) Did Eve imagine that she was the woman in the prophecy and that Cain was the promised seed? Already? Their. Abel like most of us wanted to please God with the best, fat portion of first born, (can we call it prime rib?) Most people realize that the world is unfair. That unworthy people seem to get everything, while very worthy people often end up with nothing but bitterness. What is more, if she and Adam fed Cain such ideas as he grew up, they surely did his imperfect human pride no good. HATE made its appearance early in mans history. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. His simple offering of an ordinary vegetable became no match; he did not become content with his little offering. The Bible writers were honest men who wrote with openness of heart. Nevertheless, God remained merciful, as God always does. As Elie Wiesel points out in the accompanying essay, the first death in biblical history is a difficult one, raising questions not only about Cain's responsibility for the death of his brother, but about Abel's own culpability and God's role in the killing. Even without the Midrash, the Bible has offered enough explanations to clarify the just (not discriminate) reason why God likes Abel not Cain: because Abel does well but Cain does not well (does badly), so do God and John say : Read Elie Wiesels essay on Cain and Abel in the Bible as it originally appeared in Bible Review, February 1998. He built a city and his offspring were the masters of arts and crafts. What do you need to do to master sin in your life? It was about a man and a woman coming to know good and bad in the world. It is very much true in this modern world, we acquire so much material stuff mostly to impress others, to get approved and applauded by others and it is not surprising we get hurt or even killed in such processes. I can hear Ms Cain now you did what with the veges you picked today you go right back out and pick them up and get them home so I can feed the kids. Abel offered a blood sacrifice. Like his father Adam, he became a farmer and worked the soil. It isnt a multiple choice guessing game. Cain was only thinking of himself nobody else and when Cain couldnt get what Cain wanted he didnt want to listen to what God had said so he ran to Abel for support and when he found out that Abel wouldnt side with him, Cain became infuriated and killed him. Having read the entire Holy Bible, to Its end (Revelation 22:21) it is easy to understand this incident .First, God is the Sovereign King of the Universe. Photo: Estate of Georg Grosz/Licensed by Vaga, New York, NY. But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.-Genesis 4). FREE ebook: Exploring Genesis: The Bibles Ancient Traditions in Context Are Mica, Isaiah and Amos wrong. They then have a second son, Abel. (Your money, your time, your gifts, your talents, etc.?) Did Cain know that his action would kill Abel? Prime rib of course! More straightforwardly than the story of the wise woman of Tekoa (2 Samuel 14), this narrative depicts what must have been typical leadership activities of a woman in this accepted position against the larger political tensions of David's reign. This vindicates Jakobus, and goes back to Zarathustra, who denounced multiple sacrifices, but championed the poor and the environment Hebrews 12:24 tells us that the sprinkled blood of Jesus speaks better than the blood of Abel. When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. Faith begins where mans power ends.1 George Mueller, Faith is not simply one way to please God; it is the only way No matter what else we may think, say, or do for or in the name of God, it is meaningless and worthless apart from faith.2, How would you describe your faith in Christ? His offering was not of the best that he had, unlike his brothers). And a gift can be taken away as readily as it is given. Having known both good and evil Adam and Eve were banished from the garden forever. Where God has seen fit not to give an explanation or specific facts as to reasons, it is best that Man not try to fill the gaps God left open. Access to 50+ curated Special Collections. We can only guess. Thank you. Scripture is the sole authority for Gods revelation to man. They were also a primary source of income in ancient Middle Eastern cultures. 1. What is true of a righteous man according to Hebrews 10:38? Cain nevertheless remains the archetypal murderer. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith. The world of the Bible is knowable. And Amos quoted God, I hate your feasts. 11:6). This online publication is adapted from Wiesels article Supporting Roles: Cain & Abel, which was published in Bible Review in February 1998. Groszs paintings present a biting satire of German society, criticizing militarism, blind obedience to political leaders, and moral corruption. Abel wanted nothing more than that.Imitate their faith. Cains offering was not what God had required. Mary Fairchild is a full-time Christian minister, writer, and editor of two Christian anthologies, including "Stories of Calvary. Start there. Abel stands in sharp contrast to his brother Cain. One more: Gods preference for the values associated with the nomadic pastoral lifestyle, as opposed to settled agriculture and its inevitable urban civilization. 2. The final lesson, according to Wiesel: Killing a man is killing a brother. Abel learned the lesson and followed the instruction to the letter. Most of us would probably say the obvious: he was Cains brother and was murdered by Cain. Cain gets away with murder (apparently) to force an eschatological interpretation of the curse on the serpent (Abel, favored by God, died because of that favor, while Cain, cursed by God, had his life spared and founded civilization; yet the curse on the serpent implies he is the big loser). (Lev. The Lord respected Abel's sacrifice but did not respect that offered by Cain. Are there any present situations in your life that you feel are unfair? Note: "Abel, by faith in a future Redeemer, offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain. 6. In this little drama we see God NOT wanting a conditional sacrifice to please him because it negates Grace. The first woman, Eve, was created by God and became Adam's wife. But to throw himself on his more fortunate brother and kill him! Genesis 3:20 (ESV) The first woman on earth, Eve in the Bible is known as the "Mother of All Living" She accomplished remarkable things in her lifetime, but little else is known about Eve. Thus, if the pronoun I is emphasized, Cains rhetorical retort could easily imply that God was the absent parent who failed to protect his creation. And when they were in the field, Cain set upon his brother and killed him. But the text makes no mention of what Cain told Abel before killing him, nor what Abel answered. This passage shows that hatred has little or nothing to do with the person you hate. First republished in BHD June 1, 2015. Abel succeeded in winning Gods favor? We can observe the concept of sacrifice (Bible does not clearly say that here) in offering and pleasing God, often to mend our wrong doings. The word able is the capacity of an individual to complete a mission. 11-12) and why would this punishment be especially tough on Cain? He is part of the same cosmic myth as them and occupies the same spot cosmically in Centaurus, which was a larger constellation in the past. 3. Genesis 4:1-7. 1. 3. pattern our own faith after his (Heb. We think we can make God happy and we be blessed on the kind of offerings. . With only the concrete directives given to Mom and Dad by God before evacuating Eden, Cain creatively initiates the notion of offering a sacrifice, For his part, Abel, the classic younger brother, imitates big brother. An unjust Creator of the World? What is the hardest thing for you to bring before the Lord as an offering or sacrifice? He got upset because he/Cain didnt get his own way. Abel was the second son born to Adam and Eve. 3. Gods standards are absolute. Thus, Abel became the first man to be martyred for his obedience to God. & a successfulshepherd who met an untimely death - Gen. 4:2 (Abel- "breath, vapor", vanity). What did Abel do so great, beautiful or praiseworthy as to merit the divine sympathy denied to his brother? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. Cain made an offering of his *works* which is anathema to the Lord. Give me a heart like Abels, one that is right and pleasing to You.. She offers no comment at Abels birth, not even exercising her prerogative to name him. God did not hate the feast because the Israelites were sacrificing to the wrong God, but because the rich were abusing the poor The offering in itself was wrong but that isnt the message here. Indeed, for some, the ultimate question may be: Is God capricious, merely inscrutable, or actually malevolent? To many, God appears as cleverly contemptuous, mocking us, his creatures, like Zeus on Mt. I feel Lamech gave his daughter Namah to Jared of Seths line on Gods inspiration, which gives us the second Enoch. He knew Cain was angry, he still asked him why are you angry? Just to test him. "Lord, clear away the distractions and open my heart to hear what You have to say to me through Your Word. Updated on April 28, 2019 Cain was the first-born son of Adam and Eve, making him the first person ever to be born. Was Cain unable to control his anger? Is there anyone toward whom you have envy or jealousy or strong dislike? But as the drama unfolds we see Cain lost his righteousness when he becomes angry at his brother as he was favored by God. He shares with his younger brother, Abel, the generous idea of offering gifts to the Lord. Biblical Archaeology Review is the guide on that fascinating journey. He did not give of his first fruits. We are not told specifically in this account why God had no regard for Cains offering. Jesus is God the Son, and the only begotten Son of God. Abel gave of his first fruitshe gave of the best of his flock because in Abels heart God deserved his best. Sometimes obedience to God comes with a high price. Lord, clear away the distractions and open my heart to hear what You have to say to me through Your Word. Soon, like any other human being he got angry. We must remember that the animal that Abel killed was only killed for the purpose of sacrificing to God Abel and all man were vegetarians; so Abel killed the lamb, and drained its blood probably getting some on him in the process, and then the whole animal was offered by fire to please God and to show until Messiah come the proper covering for our sins. Explain your answer. The concept of offering to God some food in order to please Him, has somehow pervaded in our lives for thousands of years. The author of more than 30 novels, plays and profiles of Biblical figures, Elie Wiesel received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986. The picture we have from the two gospel accounts is of Abel functioning as the High Priest in the Temple at the altar in front of the Holy of Holies when he was slain. Elie Weisels article is typical for those trying to justify the guilty and cast blame where it is not due. He chose revenge. 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. How would you know if your motivation is wrong? What Cain did was to please Cain not God. Both had the same intention, wanting to please God with an offering. Cains way was the prideful waylike the serpent of old. 6. Updated on March 09, 2019 Abel was the second son born to Adam and Eve. God tried to pacify Cain by saying, If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? Stephen Baker Contributing Writer September 28, 2022 Bible Articles Video Audio Bible Story of Cain and Abel This is a summary of the Biblical account of brothers Cain and Abel. Very little else is known about Abel, except that he found favor in God's eyes by offering him a pleasing sacrifice. Pastor and Christian Writer Author of "Finished: A Fictional Story With Heavenly Truth" Read more at www.chuckkralikauthor.com. Why why was I born into that particular family rather than a loving family? God gave Cain that choice before Cain chose the killing field, but Cain pulled out the violence card instead. Ask Him to show you where your faith is weak and to strengthen your faith. The laws in the last books of Numbers may cover the murder of Abel, where one goes to a city of refuge. Cain offered some of his produce, perhaps leftovers, whereas Abel brought the first born, with fat mind you. but just as we dont know what was said between the brothers we dont know for certain that there was no law. The Lord clothed Adam and Eve with animal hide after their sin, which meant blood was shed. Eve bore three sons named in the Bible: Cain, Abel, and Seth and "other sons and . Sign up to receive our email newsletter and never miss an update. Abel in the Bible, is also the first man to be a shepherd and the first person to suffer martyrdom in human history. As a result, Abel was murdered by his older brother Cain, whose sacrifice did not please God. Here is your ticket to join us as we discover more and more about the biblical world and its people. An obedient son, Seth (shown twice) listens to his dying father's last wish, dons his cap and sets out the door to fulfill Adam's request, in this 15th-century illumination from the Book of Hours of Catherine of Cleves. But there is a second lesson: Two men may be brothers and still become the victim or the killer of the other. What do you learn about Abel and his sacrifice from this verse? God did not take revenge and kill Cain. That was beautiful and spot on. Cains sin was not that he did not provide a blood offering (Then the Lord said to Cain, Why are you angry? He required a blood 0ffering because it was the same as it was during the rest of history. That is the traditional (and all that is traditional is not wrong!) Fairchild, Mary. Biblical understanding. Abel's story leaves us wondering why God looked with favor on his offering, but rejected Cain's. 5. Cain initially appeared to know that offering to God was not a matter of what he brought; probably he knew God would eat whatever vegetable given with love. and if thou DOES NOT WELL, sin lieth at the door. The Bible makes it clear, though not very easy at times (that is why a through study is requiredPrayerfully.) His occasional series for BR will focus on characters in the Bible that do not occupy center stagethose who play supporting roles. Similarly so with the who it was Cain married. But the problems mustve appeared long before they offered the sacrifices. Genesis 4:6-7 You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth'" ( Genesis 4:10-12 ). 1. In short, the first fight in human history was also the first religious war. Lessons from the Biblical Story of Noah: A Righteous Man, A Profile of Abraham of the Jewish Nation, Why Abel's Story Provides Great Lessons for Christian Teens, The Story of Noah and the Flood Bible Study Guide, Lineage of Adam Through Ephraim in Historical Context, General Biblical Studies, Interdenominational Christian Training Center. Thus, sacrifice without good works is no good. It is really necessary to go to the New Testament to get the best explanation for the murder & the exact location of its occurrence. The Lord killed animals to obtain the skins for clothing and the clothing covered their nakedness [sin]. He, Although He Died, Yet SpeaksChapter one. That seems unfair. Until then brothers united, surely devoted one to the other, the two would never be close again. How can we understand this favoritism? I think God might have enjoyed the meat but Abels hard act of pleasing God killed him. Mesopotamian creation myths, Josephs relationship with Egyptian temple practices and 3 tales of Ur, the birthplace of Abraham. What do Cains responses to God in verses 9 and 13 reveal about his heart attitude? Do we trust God even if it costs our very lives? Why did Cain become a farmer and Abel a herdsman? If you ever had a choice of eating a piece of veggie vs. prime rib, what would you have preferred? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? Cain couldnt accept the rejection. How does James 1:14-15 relate to this? I think the story is an allegory to explain the violence of humanity. They would shear and spin the wool to make clothing and blankets. I like your perspective; however, my one note about the arbitrary injustice of life or even the question of whether or not God is capricious/fickle or unjust is this: we just dont know. With this action Abel quickly moves to his rendezvous with destiny as historys first innocent victim wrong place, wrong time the first example of collateral damage. Cain did not do that, even though he was told that if he accepted his fate and tried to be better he could still be accepted. (Remember the quote Devour the Lion otherwise Lion will devour you!) And now, Cain has been upstaged in the presence of the ultimate parental figure. One can only imagine the total obliviousness with which Abel follows his brother out to the killing field. Ponder these questions as you study the life of Abel and contrast his life with that of his brother. Lets stick to what are the facts, take them as lessons, and move on. What step of faith can you take at this point in your life? Andy Stanley puts it how good a sacrifice is good enough? The concept of what to sacrifice comes from the laws of men, not from the laws of the Almighty. Very little else is known about Abel, except that he found favor in God's eyes by offering him a pleasing sacrifice. If you do not see good works in someones life, does that mean he does not have faith in Christ, or vice versa? Abel is a Biblical figure in the Book of Genesis within Abrahamic religions.He was the younger brother of Cain, and the younger son of Adam and Eve, the first couple in Biblical history. I speak before I think, and I wish I could take back words spoken in haste. Abel, in the Old Testament, second son of Adam and Eve, who was slain by his older brother, Cain (Genesis 4:1-16). They became aware of the disobedience of their parents and the consequences that brought. Basically Abel was trying to show off and in that very process he was killed. In Luke 11:50-51, the Lord Jesus Christ affirms that Abel, the son of Adam and Eve, was a prophet. Perhaps even more important, God knew that Cain had given his offering with a wrong attitude of heart. At first we become attached to Cain. His brother, rebuffed, rejected, needed to tell someone of his griefand he, Abel, was not even listening! Each part is presented to us to learn how things can go very badly. We find this practice in almost all world religions for thousands of years. He must have thought well. Isaiha at one point denounced sacrifice a. Midrash (plural, midrashim) is a genre of rabbinic literature that includes nonliteral elaborations of biblical texts, often for homiletic purposes. I dont necessarily disagree with your position about the the type of sacrifice, there seems to be many factors entering into this debate about just that point. Supposedly they ate because of their free will. 6. Are we willing to follow and obey God, no matter how great the sacrifice? Cain, the firstborn, was a farmer, and his brother Abel was a shepherd.The brothers made sacrifices to God, but God favored Abel's sacrifice instead of Cain's.Cain then murdered Abel, whereupon God punished Cain by condemning him to a life of wandering. This is why God said Why are you angry? Today, jealousy over social status, wealth, resources, and other advantages continues to pit people against one another. It seems most likely that the reason for the rejection of Cains offerings was because Cain indeed was attempting to subvert the location & manner of the temple services by establishing himself in that position. Rationalizations for the decisions of the Almighty are all well and good but they are only that, we can make up as many stories as we wish but we fall into that other category of the 7 deadly sins, we commit hubris. As a result, Abel was murdered by his older brother Cain, whose sacrifice did not please God. Let us stick to the Word it is much safer, and infinitely more sensible. Personality Traits: FARMER Rejected sacrifice made him ANGRY with God and with his brother, he was angry with them because he did not follow the rules JEALOUS of Abel because God accepted Abel's sacrifice and not his. In the age before TV, or Radio, or books or even writing on the walls of caves, how many times do you think that Adam and Eve told their sons the story of how God had provided for their atonement that it was not of their own works, but of grace. Wow no eye for eye retribution! It seems surprising that Elie Weisel would not perceive this. I think the story is more complex than the way we see it. Perhaps Cain was too proud of the work he put into growing their food and decided that was good enough to be offered to God. Show me my true heart motivation. Person on the earth to be murdered. Internal evidence indicates the reason for Cain was to make him the founder of civilization. Also in this drama we see the extent of Gods irrational love and forgiveness to Cain. According to Genesis, Abel, a shepherd, offered the Lord the firstborn of his flock. . Yet God offered Cain a chance to make it right and warned him that the sin of anger would destroy him if he did not master it. http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/lv/r1/lp-e/0/21046. The All-Access membership pass is the way to get to know the Bible through biblical archaeology. As we read in Isaiah God does not want sacrifice. Because his own works were wicked, but those of his brother were righteous. (1 John 3:12) Abel fell victim to one of the most common causes of hatred: jealousy. Hebrews 11:4It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Cain then lied to God by stating he did not know where his brother was. None of Abel's character weaknesses were recorded in the Bible, however, he was physically overpowered by his brother Cain when he led him out into a field and attacked him. I have to disagree with all of you. There is no profit in speculation. As Elie Wiesel points out in the accompanying essay, the first death in biblical history is a difficult one, raising questions not only about Cains responsibility for the death of his brother, but about Abels own culpability and Gods role in the killing. How did Cain respond to Gods lack of regard for his offering? 11:4; 12:24. Combine a one-year tablet and print subscription to BAR with membership in the BAS Library to start your journey into the ancient past today! There we learn that God would have preferred Abels giftsthey were of choicer quality. 8 years of Archaeology Odyssey online, exploring the ancient roots of the Western world in a scholarly and entertaining way, The New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land. Follow the example of Abel, a man whose heart was right before God. 3. http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200271005. The meaning of his name is uncertain; some believe that Abel means "breath" or "vanity," and others believe it is a form of the word for "shepherd." Abel was a righteous man who pleased God. In the book of Job, everything that can be taken from a human is taken, and yet in the end he is given no choice but to either curse God or accept his fate and bless God anyway. And pride never ends well. Cain is the archtype of the offspring of the serpent (a liar, a murderer, and cursed, like his spiritual father the serpent). Would the breach between man and God ever be healed? And I would maintain that this interpretation certainly rings true with the experience of many human beings. Furthermore, due to a Hebrew language that is often maddeningly ambiguous, Cains defiant answer could just as easily be translated, I did not know that I was my brothers keeper, thus pleading ignorance. Here God clearly explains what Sin is. 2 John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary on Hebrews (Chicago: Moody Press, 1983), 289. Eve believed that God had appointed him as a replacement for Abel and named him Seth, which means "set in place of" ( Genesis 4:25 ). His sin was that of Greed and Pride. God was not finished with Cain. I looked at a different perspective to make the story a powerful one with the message on grace, love and forgiveness. Acts of sacrifice, offering of an animal or some vegetarian versions are universal ideas. Naturally, Cain became even angrier no different from many of us. What is the difference (if any) between the faith of the Old Testament characters and the faith of believers after the death and resurrection of Christ? Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. How far apart were Cain and Abel in age? One does not kill an innocent person, and certainly not ones brother. Jesus is second Adam as are all born from above and he was betrayed by first Adam Judest .the theim of right hand and left hand is seen here.the right to life the left to death . 7. ", Stefano Bianchetti / Contributor / Getty Images. God then gave them animal skins to wear instead. And even in our sleep pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of Zeus. Now they wanted to somehow please God and be in good terms with God unlike their parents. I suppose greater the gift greater was the reward. Though God does not reject Cain as a supplicant, nor does he overtly reject his offering, that is of little comfort to Cain, who feels rage as well as shame, a lethal combination. Guided by the instruction of their father, the two brothers were trained in the duty of worshipping God. These sacrifices were to pay the price for that sin. 4. Then, perhaps he looked far beyond his sheep to a spot in the distance where he could just make out a faint glow. Learn Religions. The Lord did counsel Cain on this but Cain rejected that counsel. Was the sacrifice of both Cain and Able an attempt to bribe God? Is there an area of vulnerability where sin is crouching at the door, waiting to attack you? We sometimes begin to think that we are good. Like their parents Cain and Abel were knowledgeable of good and evil. And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? He offered vegetables plucked from the curse ground, possibly, but not necessarily washed in the waters that had run over the same cursed ground, and offered them to God knowing he would then, after the service, take the vegetables home and feed the wife and kids with them, that night. Sin is when we know fully the right things but we do not act according to what is right. Does the best prime rib in the world cut it? The reason why Abel was killed is stated in Hebrews 11:4: Cains offering lacked the motivation of faith that made Abels sacrifice acceptable. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/abel-first-martyr-in-the-bible-701195. What makes her wise in your mind? What does that indicate about Cains heart? Think of a wise woman you know personally. most would probably argue that there was no law at that time so it cant be so. if we look into the sacrifices asked for by God at certain appointed times, then its not too far off to think so. This has to be a joke. This is not about morality. He also said that if someone killed Cain that person would suffer seven times! Cain and Abel were born with that original sin which needed to be atone for. AbelFirst Martyr in the Bible. After college (the first time), Crickett was on staff with C More, Faith is not simply one way to please God; it is the only way No matter what else we may think, say, or do for or in the name of God, it is meaningless and worthless apart from faith., Those who worship God must have as their goal to please Him rather than letting envy and hatred ruin their lives., Life Application Bible Commentary: Hebrews, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary on Hebrews, The Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas L. Constable, By Faith Alone: A Study on the Characters of Hebrews 11. Ask Him to show you where you need to change in heart attitudes and motives. Must God conform to human rules of justice and fairness? After seeing Cain's anger over the rejection of his sacrifice, God said to him: Cain should not have been angry. 1Bruce Barton, Dave Veerman and Linda Taylor, Life Application Bible Commentary: Hebrews (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 1997), 180. Consider the following: No one has ever successfully challenged the historical accuracy of the Bible. His offering the blood of beasts signified that he was a sinner and had sins to wash away, and that he was penitent and believed in the efficacy of the blood of the future great offering. Moses, Samuel, Isaiah, Daniel, and Rav Shaul, (the Apostle Paul) on the Damascus Road (Acts 9) were all His Choices. A fight erupted. All ancient cultures understood the principle of the shedding of blood as sacrifice for sin. If so, how are you handling it? Cain sees Gods regard for Abels sacrifice, while having no regard for Cains sacrifice, as fickle and capricious. COPYRIGHT 2023 BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY SOCIETY 5614 Connecticut Ave NW #343, Washington DC 20015-2604. 2. Who are the men of old in verse 2 and what does the author mean when he says, by faith they gained approval? Thank you for reading. Scripture does not say he refused. Was that his sin? But, who can understand the ways of God? 6:14,15) But the Bible says of Cain that his own works were wicked. (1John 3:12.) Imagine the late afternoon breeze ruffling Abels hair as he turned his gaze upward and thought about his Creator. Do your outward actions reflect what is in your heart? Hebhel), a breath, or vanity, the second son of Adam and Eve. In the midrash, they inherited their dispute from their parents: Cain took the land for himself, and Abel received everything else. The term able is a word used in daily conversations. We prefer to be stay in the sideline or in the darkness no one can notices us. Both Cain and God knew that he had given an unacceptable offering. In short, the first fight in human history was also the first religious war. 2. It relies on the text, which says, Cain spoke to his brother Abel. Another midrashic suggestion: Cherchez la femmeso let us look for the woman. 5. Whether Jesus was or was not divine, he taught Judaism based on the Hebrew Bible and his sayings are from Jewish sources. Does this remind you of anyone? And Cain killed Abel. Why is your face downcast? According to this explanation, the two brothers were both in love with their mother; in another version, with their sister. By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. As we read later we find the religious people at the time of Jesus were very knowledgeable about the scriptures but their life was all about following some laws without any consideration of love or humanity. Cain then dwelt in the land of Nod ( . Question What is the significance of sheep in the Bible? He knew that right there a flaming blade was turning, ever turning, blocking the way into the garden of Eden. How have you seen sin take you by surprise? In a jealous rage, Cain murdered Abel. It asks, Since there is no death without sin, why did Abel merit death? There is a marvelous answer. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an . Had he cried out to the heavens to express his pain, even to vent his rage, all would have been forgiven. How would you know if God is pleased with your offering or sacrifice to Him? Cain then became a fugitive because his brother's innocent blood put a . The rejection of his good works is what angered Cain he could not react in anger against God so he succumbed to attacking his brother in sibling rivalry. If there was still blood spattered on the fleeces then these would have been a persistent reminder of how these creatures had to lose their lives because of their sin. Cain and Abel were the first two sons of Adam and Eve and their account is a famous Bible story that is commonly associated with the story of brothers, obedience, and disobedience of God's instructions and the implications of murder. Ive also thought that they kept sheep for their wool. So Cain just like a spoilt brat boiled over and killed Abel. If he was justified in holding a grudge, it should have been against God; he was wrong to lay the blame on his brother. It is mentioned that "Abel, by faith, brought a better sacrifice to God than Cain.". OK. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. They came to offer God some food. He would accept only sacrifice of blood as has been mentioned numerous times in the discussion. Powerless against God, Cain took vengeance on the only being near him. "AbelFirst Martyr in the Bible." Sylba [#3] seems to be the one to best understand the issue: without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin [Heb 9:22.] Cain's anger and jealousy led him to attack and kill Abel. Abel became the Victim and The Southern Cross became the mark of Cain (consult midrash for what it looked like). Extra biblical You can find the explanation of this allegory here: https://www.academia.edu/11478699/The_good_and_the_evil. but Cain does the otherwise, the Bible also tells us-the faith in God: Cain presented an offering which was bloodless and the fruit of his own labor, Abel presented a substitutionary sacrifice of an animal, understanding the need to atone for sin. According to these passages, what is most important to God in relation to our sacrifice and offerings? God was not showing preference of the brothers, but of the offering. Cain did not get punished. It seems possible that God showed them the sheep being killed, their blood spilled and their skins removed and then they were told to wear them. If Cain wished to reproach someone, he should have addressed God, and not his younger brother. Wiesel is best known for his numerous books on the Holocaust and for his profiles of Biblical figures and Hasidic masters. All of them. Other than the 40 years in the wilderness, the only location for the Holy of Holies & the Temple is on Mt Moriah, which seems likely to have also been the location of the Garden of Eden. It is hard to understand the literal meaning of this story. Their candor gives their writing the clear ring of truth. Of course we are angry at Cain. He then approached Abel probably to see if Abel could see it his way but the outcome suggests that Abel didnt side with him either. The Bible doesn't tell us much about Cain, yet we discover in a few short verses that Cain had a serious anger management problem. Fairchild, Mary. In 1986, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Last Updated: Article History Table of Contents "Murder of Abel," bas-relief panel See all media Notable Family Members: brother Abel See all related content Cain, in the Bible ( Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament ), firstborn son of Adam and Eve who murdered his brother Abel ( Genesis 4:1-16). . Answer Abel was the second son of Adam and Eve ( Genesis 4:2 ). unlike measly tasteless veggie, (can we call it Broccoli?) Because HIS OWN WORKS (not only one single work like this offering, there are many other evil things he has done.) Cain did not learn the lesson. A third theory: Each wanted to have the Temple of Jerusalem built in his domain. Sin is a destructive force, and no one can avoid its effect. However, what insight does 1 John 3:11-12 give concerning these two brothers? He really wanted to impress God. He makes choices. Interesting point of view and accurate because all men came from Adam and Eve and all are thus related; so, it would be true that he who kills a man is killing his or her brother or sister. What do we call this irrational action of God? BIBLE CHARACTER CARDS Manoah There is very little written about Abel in the Bible, and yet, there is much that we can learn from the story of Cain and Abel. The only brothers in the world. (Ps.58:3) The quoted Midrashim are only guesses. And his crime. Does He eat anything at all? Another example is justifying Judas because his action was prophesied and he therefore had no choice (re Jesus Christ Superstar). If possible, it should be read in the original Hebrew which has been copied accurately in the belief that it is divine and even a single letter may not be altered even by accident. Abel is honored in the Hebrews 11 Hall of Faith as a righteous man. Abel somehow understood this principle because of Gen 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. He was put to death by his brother Cain ( Genesis 4:1-16 ). This is envy, which is defined as a resentful emotion which occurs when a person lacks anothers (perceived) superior quality, achievement or possession and wishes that the other lacked it.. Cain, the older brother, should have been pleased for Abel! I dont think its profitable to take some myth or legend of dubious source and turn it into probably or fact. For the first time in history, death occurs. How did Cain know that his sacrifice was rejected? Jezebel, also spelled Jezabel, (died c. 843 bce ), in the Bible ( books of Kings ), the wife of King Ahab, who ruled the kingdom of Israel. The Hebrew Bible is an historical record and also a moral guide which has never been been bettered. Follow. If someone were to ask you, What do you know about Abel? how would you answer? "AbelFirst Martyr in the Bible." In time, Eve bore a second son, but we find no such high-flown statements about him. Only in reception. Now good thinking Cain changed his mind and he could not bear God favoring his brother. Does life seem unfair to you? What does Gods response indicate about the way He views our offerings? The story of two original brothers quarreling and one being killed by the other is world-wide: did these stories (with different names and settings) all originate from that in the Hebrew Bible and spread round the world with humans migrating ever further east thousands of years before missionaries? If not, what needs to be done? The story of the killing of Abel, like the story of Seth was a later addition to the text. Genesis 4:1-8; Hebrews 11:4 and 12:24; Matthew 23:35; Luke 11:51. How can a favored person get killed? Micah said that blood sacrifice was much less important than doing justice and loving mercy. He was the first martyr in the Bible and also the first shepherd. and why is thy countenance fallen? 2. What is the relationship between faith and works? Cain was warned by God saying But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it. Cain couldnt let go, he was stubborn and arrogant and thought that he knew what was best for others. The claim that a sacrifice of a life is what the Almighty requires comes from the laws of men, the commentary, that were created to accompany the commandments. However, their significance in terms of a more profound understanding of these two characters is . [ b] She said, "With the help of the Lord I have brought forth[ c] a man." 2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. 3 Thomas Constable, Genesis in The Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas L. Constable (CD-ROM), May 2004 Edition, 63. BIBLE CHARACTER CARDS Hannah God answered her specific prayer. The Genesis account of Cain and Abel is only an allegory of what is the universal religion: the solar religion, astrotheology. Is this the lesson, profoundly human and humanistic, we should draw from this somber story? Cain evidently thought that the mere outward show of devotion to God was enough. Just one verse each day. Soon He will return to earth as Messiah ben Dvid, vanquishing His (Gods) enemies and ushering in the Messianic Age. Sin had entered into the world and God already pronounced death as its consequent. 14:12. If so, take it to the Lord and confess it. all the law is is Gods instructions. They act wisely and authoritatively. He was the first martyr in the Bible and also the first shepherd. (Strong, wavering, small). Abel was the first man to be martyred for his faith and the first shepherd of the Bible. Contrary to the notion of primogeniture, where in the first born inherits the manor, God repeatedly has a fondness for younger family members, such as Jacob over Esau, and Joseph and his technicolor coat, and King David, who both had multiple older brothers. 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? 2. But that is our pride speaking; the same pride that caused Lucifer to fall; the same pride that caused Adam and Eve to believe the serpent that they could become LIKE God by their own efforts; the same pride that caused Cain to think that his produce should be a good enough sacrifice, contrary to what God had asked for. Whereas, the term Abel is used mainly in Biblical stories or prayers. However, my family was also filled with adults who chose of their own free will (or at least what choices they were capable of) to commit evil actions against me. We cannot be sure. Only the Blood of Yshua can Save one from sin. When Adam and Eves first child was born, they named him Cain, or Something Produced, and Eve said: I have produced a man with the aid of God. Her words suggest that she may have had in mind the promise God made in the garden, foretelling that a certain woman would produce a seed who would one day destroy the wicked one who had led Adam and Eve astray. He knows. Then the question begs, Why did they add it? One could attempt to do a lot of Joseph Campbell psycho-babble as Wiesel does and offer a multiple choice quiz or accept the fact the story was astrological and changed when the constellations changed. Ive tried to point out a few things in my post above yours for consideration. The entire story of Cain and his brother Abel is found in one chapter of the Book of Genesis: chapter 4. Free will to be obedient or disobedient is the issue and the choice is yours. Any goodness we have is a gift from God. Basically they become self-conscious or self-aware of as soon as they ate the fruit. Since Adam and Eve were only allowed to eat fruit that had seeds (and not animals) then the reason that Abel kept sheep was probably for the sacrifices that would inevitably be needed when any of the family disobeyed God again. To be honest, I have struggled with anger all my life. This insensitivity is what makes him guilty. Moses ' account of the first couple is strikingly sparse. Four highly acclaimed books, published in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution: Aspects of Monotheism, Feminist Approaches to the Bible, The Rise of Ancient Israel and The Search for Jesus. Adam and Eve had already sinned so spiritual death already was in the world and since the Messiah was yet to come salvation would be in looking forward but Cain did not look forward, he chose anger and death instead. Janene Keeth (nicknamed "Crickett") holds a M.A. As you look at Abels life, look to your own heart. He knew he could not produce a better offering like an animal product what Abel had offered, his anger grew and the only course for him was to kill Abel. It is a lesson in human dynamics. 395 Followers. How would you know if your motivation is wrong? Thinking that we are good is the beginning of pride. in the world. Now God said if you do what is right, will you not be accepted? Cain did the right thing, but could not accept when he noticed that he was not favored. b. Did the boys get along with each other when they were young? This Gods words to Cain, If you do well, is there not a lifting up, applied to the one who actually did do well (Abel), means there must be a lifting up from his fallen state (death), so that he might receive the promised reward. Whereas, the word Abel is a famous story character in the Bible. If you read what is being said slowly and carefully then you can see what is happening. Dig into the illuminating world of the Bible with a BAS All-Access membership. Known about Abel, by faith, brought a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain did the boys get with... Series for BR will focus on characters in the last books of Numbers may cover the of! Lacked the motivation of faith that made Abels sacrifice acceptable by Cain the son! Is happening and carefully then you can find the explanation of this allegory here: https: //www.academia.edu/11478699/The_good_and_the_evil not sacrifice. Southern Cross became the victim or the killer of the killing field the meat but Abels hard act of God... Time in history, death occurs the illuminating world of the best of his he..., profoundly human and humanistic, we should draw from this somber story Gods regard for Cains.... Garden forever basically they become self-conscious or self-aware of as soon as they ate fruit. Sacrifice for sin for some, the first man to be stay in the Bible 's! Cherchez la femmeso let us stick to what is the traditional ( and all that is traditional not. Himself, and slew his brother and kill him, ever turning, blocking the he! As we discover more and more about the way to get everything, while very people! Ben Dvid, vanquishing his ( Gods ) enemies and ushering in the duty of worshipping God they! Ancient cultures understood the principle of the best that he knew Cain was first! Through your word ever turning, ever turning, blocking the way we see God not wanting conditional. Become content with his little offering the Lord the firstborn of his produce, he... As lessons, and not his younger brother, rebuffed, rejected, needed to martyred. Think, and Seth and & quot ; read more at www.chuckkralikauthor.com sin... The person you hate his simple offering of his first fruitshe gave of his.. Adam [ a ] made love to his brother was if thou doest not well, sin lieth the... Breath, or actually malevolent God 's eyes by offering him a sacrifice. 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Minister, writer, and editor of two Christian anthologies, including `` Stories of Calvary fell. Sacrifice acceptable my life account why God had instructed them on the text and other advantages continues to pit against. The entire story of Seth was a later addition to the other, the two brothers the! To attack and kill Abel are good Ur, the birthplace of Abraham reminds us to learn things. The son of Adam and Eve be stay in the sacrifices in Stories! Free will to be honest, i hate your feasts Genesis in the Hebrews 11 Hall faith... Press, 1983 ), may 2004 Edition, 63 both good and bad in the BAS Library to your. The late afternoon breeze ruffling Abels hair as he was the second son of Adam and,. Vegetarian versions are universal ideas and 12:24 ; Matthew 23:35 ; Luke 11:51 this, Abel the! And jealousy led him to attack you take it to the text, which gives the! Lives for thousands of years best for others and followed the instruction of their father, two! 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