WE ARE to study the attitude of one who became the world’s first murderer. He was Cain, the first son of Adam and Eve. At his birth Eve acknowledged the help of the Lord. In so doing she expressed thankfulness that she had finally been delivered from the travail of giving birth, and she also expressed praise that God had given her a son. Whether or not Eve thought that this child would deliver the fatal blow that would crush the serpent's head, we are not told. But she does see in Cain's birth a token of the Lord’s faithfulness. The acknowledgment of God's help is evidence that Eve spoke from a heart of faith. She was no longer in the guilt of her sin.
A second son was born, named Abel. The name is thought by many to mean a breath, or vapour, and so to indicate the vanity or transitoriness of life. It may be that, impressed with the fact that sin had so marred human life that it was now but a fleeting vapour, Eve had named her son accordingly.
Each son had an occupation. Cain worked the ground and Abel was a shepherd. There is no indication that one occupation is superior to the other. Each man appears as a respectable citizen. Yet one of these men became a murderer.
Two Men at Worship
Furthermore, both Cain and Abel belonged to the same church, and outwardly, at least, each was a respectable member of the church. After a time Cain brought an offering to the Lord. There is nothing to indicate that this is the first sacrifice, and it is quite possible that Cain and Abel may previously have brought sacrifices to God. Sacrifice, like prayer, flows spontaneously from the heart of man, not only as an expression of gratitude to God for all His mercies, but also as an acknowledgement of sin and guilt, and to win the favor of God who has been offended by the sin.
Cain brought his sacrifice to the Lord. He was not only a religious man, but seemingly a member of the orthodox church. What he brought was some of the first fruits of the field, an offering which in itself is perfectly legitimate. Indeed, the word used to describe the offering shows that it fell properly under the classification of "offering." Furthermore, it was brought to Jehovah, the true God. Where it was brought and how it was presented we are not told. No mention is made of an altar. Outwardly therefore, as far as Cain was concerned, all was correct. A superficial observer would have concluded that he was an orthodox believer.
Abel also on his part brought an offering. In doing so he made a selection, choosing some of the first born of his flock, and of these the fattest pieces. Apparently Abel's love for God was so great that he wishes to bring to the Lord not merely that which might be acceptable, but the very best he could find. This selectiveness on the part of Abel casts some light upon his inward disposition.
Outwardly, then, both of these men were worshippers of the true God. But one must not judge alone by outward appearances. One of these brothers was an idolater. Upon Abel and his sacrifice God looked with favor. But upon Cain and his sacrifice the Lord did not look with favor. How this difference in the attitude of God was manifest, we are again not told. Jewish legends have made many suggestions at this point. For example, one story says that fire fell from heaven upon Abel's sacrifice and consumed it. Another story says that Abel continued to be prosperous, while Cain met up with hard times. But it is useless to speculate about such matters. The simple fact is that Abel and his sacrifice were accepted, whereas Cain and his sacrifice were rejected.
Believers and Formalists
The question immediately arises as to why Abel and his sacrifice were accepted, while Cain and his sacrifice were not. Wherein lay the difference between them? There are those who say that Abel brought a bloody offering and Cain did not. But there is in the text no warrant for a difference on this basis. Cain brought an offering which in itself was perfectly legitimate. It was not because of a lack in the offering itself that it was rejected.
If we look at the text carefully, we note that it says that the Lord looked with favor not only upon Abel's sacrifice, but also upon Abel himself, and that He looked with disfavor not only upon Cain's sacrifice but upon Cain himself. God's gaze is directed first to the offerer and then to the offering. If the offerer is not found wanting, there is reason to expect his offering will be acceptable. If the offerer is found wanting, then his offering is sure to be rejected. It is the attitude or inward disposition which is the all important factor.
In the Epistle to the Hebrews we are told that "by faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain" (Heb. 11:4). In these words is to be found the basic answer to the whole question. Abel was a man of faith. Cain was not. That which is done by the heart of faith is acceptable to God; that which is not done by faith will not be acceptable, for "without faith it is impossible to please God.”
Here were two men who were brothers. Both had honorable occupations. Both were members of the visible church. Both took upon their lips in worship the name of the true God, Jehovah. Both made an orthodox confession of faith. In fact Cain brought his offering even before Abel did. He may well have been a “leading” church member. But in the eyes of God Cain was an idolater, a presumptuous idolater who dared to approach a God in whom he did not truly believe.
The same situation exists today. Within the pale of the visible church there are two kinds of people. There are the formalists. They may be sincere or they may be deliberate hypocrites. They recite the Apostles Creed, they sing the hymns of the church, they contribute money—and usually tell how much they contribute—they pray in church, and all in all they give the appearance of being Christians. But it is all lip-service. In reality they are far from God; they have no knowledge, no righteousness, no holiness. They are lost.
But there are also in the visible church those of true faith. These are the ones whose hearts have been renewed by the gentle workings of the Holy Spirit, who look with trusting eyes to the Cross of Christ as the sinner's only hope. How important it is that we be found in this latter class! How important that we have true faith in Christ!
Where do you stand, gracious reader? Examine your heart carefully. Do you rely for your salvation from sin and death and hell only upon that precious blood which was shed on Calvary? That is the only hope for the sinner. God requires of us faith in His son, Jesus Christ. Is such faith yours? God grant that everyone who reads these lines may have true faith in the crucified and risen Son of God.
God's Gracious Dealings
In marvelously condescending fashion the Lord remonstrates with Cain. "If thou doest well," He says, “is there not a lifting up?" Cain had become angry. His countenance had fallen. There was bitterness and malice in his heart, and it was reffected in his outward aspect. But there was no need for these sullen and moroseful glances.
"If thou doest well”--but what does it mean to do well? In this context it would seem to mean, if thou doest as Abel has done, thou wilt be accepted. So we are compelled to ask more carefully, what had Abel done? And the answer was at hand—Abel had possessed true faith in God. True faith,—this is the passport. Without faith, no matter what else we may have, there is no acceptance with the Lord. Faith then is the essence of "doing well." If Cain would approach God in true faith, all would be well. Faith would result in a lifting up of the countenance. In other words the man of faith need not fear the displeasure of God, he may look up with open face, for he knows that he is accepted of God. He is at peace with the Lord.
If however thou doest not well—and this is tantamount to saying, if thou dost not have faith in the Lord—then thou dost open thy heart to the ravages of sin. Sin is conceived of as a wild beast. It crouches at the door of the heart, waiting to spring upon its prey. Unto thee is its longing—its desire is to devour thee. Vivid indeed is this picture. If Cain does not obey the Lord, by trusting in Him, sin which is crouching at the door is ready to spring upon him and to devour him. Sin would then be completely the master.
But this should not happen. Thou shouldst rule over it. Sin should not have the mastery, but Cain himself. If thou dost give way to sin, thou dost introduce an unnatural state of affairs. Thou shouldst rule over sin, and not sin over thee.
Thus clearly did the Lord set the matter before Cain. For the Lord is a good God,—just, but showing also goodwill toward men. Cain, Hear the Word of the Lord. Confess your sin, and look in trusting gratitude to the One who has so tenderly set before you the truth.
But Cain remains sullen and morose. His hard heart can never understand the truth of God. Anger burns within him that Abel should have been accepted and he rejected. The consuming rage of jealousy is ready to break forth, and even now Cain is plotting the means of doing away with righteous Abel. The blessed Gospel offer is rejected, and Cain departs from the presence of the Lord to become the first murderer.
Who among us can read this account without humbly acknowledging:
"Oh- to grace how great a debtor,
Daily I'm constrained to be."