Abel offered the firstlings[1] of his flock, and Cain, fruits of the earth. The Lord regarded Abel and his gifts with favour, but for Cain and his offerings He had no regard[2]. Seeing this, Cain was exceedingly angry, and his countenance fell[3].
And the Lord said to Cain: “Why[4] art thou angry, and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou do well, shalt thou not receive? but if ill, shall not sin forthwith be present at the door?[5] But the lust thereof shall be under thee[6], and thou shalt have dominion over it.” But Cain did not heed [7] the Lord. One day he said to his brother: “Let us go forth abroad.” Abel, suspecting no evil, went out with him; and when they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and slew him.
Then the Lord said to Cain: “Where[8] is thy brother Abel?” Cain replied in an insolent manner: “I know not; am I my
- ↑ Firstlings, i. e. the first born and best and finest of his flock.
- ↑ No regard. We are not told how Almighty God manifested His pleasure and displeasure. Probably, as at the sacrifice of Elias (Old Test. LXIII), He sent down fire from heaven, which consumed Abel’s offering, whereas Cain’s, notwithstanding every effort on his part, remained unconsumed.
- ↑ His countenance fell. i. e. it became dark and pale with anger. Envy was the cause of his anger. He envied his brother for being in God’s favour, and feared that he would receive greater benefits than himself. Instead of winning God’s approval by contrition and amendment, he was seized with rage against his innocent brother, although God lovingly warned him in time.
- ↑ Why. By these questions God wished to bring Cain to self-knowledge, and a realization of the terrible condition of his soul.
- ↑ At the door. i. e. it will swiftly overtake you.
- ↑ Under thee. i. e. you must not let these evil passions of envy and anger master you, but subdue them at once and rule over them.
- ↑ Did not heed. He did not take God’s warning to heart. He did not subdue his anger, and therefore it gained more and more mastery over him, till it grew into the fiercest hatred. He could no longer endure the sight of his brother, and at last resolved to kill him. His evil passions quite blinded him. He did not think of the grief which his act would cause his parents, nor did he remember the threats of Almighty God. He enticed his brother into the field, and turning on him struck him dead. What must Adam and Eve have felt when they saw their dear Abel lying dead in his blood, slain by his own brother’s hand? Perhaps, blinded by bitter tears, they exclaimed: “Alas, that we must survive this, our son's crime! Woe to us that we ever sinned! Cain has got his bad passions from us: this terrible deed is the consequence of our sin!”
- ↑ Where. By asking this question God wanted to give Cain the opportunity of honestly and contritely confessing his crime. Had he done so, God would have forgiven him and lessened bis punishment. But instead of doing this, Cain made an insolent and defiant reply.
