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The First Murderer and His Victim
This chapter is based on Genesis 4:1-15.
Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam, were very different in char-
acter. Abel saw justice and mercy in the Creator’s dealings with
the fallen race, and he gratefully accepted the hope of redemption.
But Cain permitted his mind to run in the same channel that led to
Satan’s fall—questioning the divine justice and authority.
These brothers were tested to prove whether they would believe
and obey the word of God. They understood the system of offerings
that God had ordained. They knew they were to express faith in
the Savior whom the offerings typified, and at the same time to
acknowledge total dependence on Him for pardon. Without the
shedding of blood, there could be no forgiveness of sin. They were
to show their faith in the blood of Christ as the promised atonement
by offering the firstborn of the flock in sacrifice.
The two brothers erected their altars alike, and each brought an
offering. Abel presented a sacrifice from the flock of sheep. “And
the Lord respected Abel and his offering” (
Genesis 4:4
). Fire flashed
from heaven and consumed the sacrifice. But Cain, disregarding the
Lord’s direct command, presented only an offering of fruit. There
was no sign from heaven to show that it was accepted. Abel pleaded
with his brother to approach God in the divinely prescribed way, but
his appeals made Cain the more determined to follow his own will.
As the eldest, he despised his brother’s counsel.
Cain came before God with resentment in his heart. His gift
expressed no real sorrow for sin, for it would be an admission of
weakness to follow the exact plan marked out by God, of trusting
his salvation completely to the atonement of the promised Savior.
He would come in his own merits. He would not bring the lamb
and mingle its blood with his offering, but would present his fruits,
the products of his labor, as a favor done to God. Cain obeyed in
building an altar, obeyed in bringing a sacrifice, but gave only partial
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