FEW biblical stories are more intriguing and saddening than that of between brothers Cain and Abel. The fourth chapter of Genesis opens with the desire of Adam and Eve to have a 'promised seed' that will deliver them from their 'curses' (Gen. 3:16)— but ended with a tragic first case of murder in the Bible. What caused the sibling rivalry that led to the martyrdom of Abel?
Genesis 4:8 "Now 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 killed him."
The verse that follows introduces us to a marked event with prophetic stage-setting: “in the process of time...” (v.3) It was a festive time to offer sacrifices to God. It is important to note that Cain and Abel were not the first persons in the Bible to do this sacrificial offering. It was God Himself who had set the example of 'blood sacrifice' when He replaced the fig leaves with which Adam and Eve used to clothe themselves after their fall into sin with “tunics of skin” (3:21).
In order for God to cover (Heb. 'kapâr') Adam and Eve’s nakedness and shame, a blood must be spilled. The Scripture is clear: The wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23), and without the shedding of blood there can be no remission (atonement, covering) of sin (Heb. 9:22). Thus, God had set the pattern of sacrifice (or atonement) early on, in fact, it was made immediately after the first sin was committed (Gen. 3:21).
What forced Cain to kill his own brother? The Scripture only has these enigmatic words to Cain:
"So the Lord said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.'” (Gen. 4:6-7)
Presumably, Cain's offering was not good enough ('If you do well, will you not be accepted?'). Something must have gone through the head of Cain to react negatively and become bitter towards his brother. Was it pride (arrogance), unable to cope up with competing with his own younger brother? Was it about getting even with material possesions, or perhaps attention or recognition from God? We can only speculate. The Scripture is not explicitly clear.
Many have also tried to explain why God accepted the sacrifice of Abel and rejected the sacrifice of Cain. The text is very indirect. It simply states what Cain and Abel brought to God as their respective offering. And the fact that one was accepted over the other. Though it cannot be proven definitively, it is at least worth considering that perhaps the reason Cain was rejected and Abel accepted is that Abel, by faith, followed the example of what God had already done (Gen. 3:21).
Abel's offering was faith affirming as he sought for the promised Messiah (Salvation). While Cain, following his father's example (Adam) brought a 'non-bloody' (grain) offering which was symbolic of one's own labor and works. This is a case of bringing an offering to God based on one's wishes, not according to God's set words. Either way, Cain was rejected and Abel accepted.
Cain and Abel may indeed be the first story of sibling rivalry, but it is far more than that. It is a prophetic story of hope and of future resurrection to life--Abel's blood now testifying it from the 'ground' (grave):
"And He said, 'What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.'" (Gen. 4:10).
"By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks." (Heb. 11:4)
Abel's life has become a longing of hope for better life ahead for many who were faithfully waiting for God's coming kingdom. Those who joined the hall of faith (Hebrews 11) with righteous Abel become 'heirs' of glorious things to come -- the Eternal kingdom which can only be secured by Christ's atoning works--symbolic of Abel's offering.
| RDH
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