CHAPTER FOUR: BROTHER VERSUS BROTHER

Expelled from the garden paradise of Eden, Adam and Eve were forced to fend for themselves. Using tree limbs, leaves and mud, they built themselves shelter from the weather and wild animals.

Through hard, exhausting work, they tilled and ploughed the earth so that it would yield plenty of healthy vegetables and fruits for their survival.

And they tended flocks of sheep and goats for clothing materials, milk and meat.
Because Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate the fruit of self-knowledge— of good and evil—they had to protect themselves from bears, lions and other wild animals. The nature of all animals changed from being peaceful to violent and savage. Many became meat eaters, killing the sick, weak and helpless. Some even desired to eat people!

Adam and Eve Have Children
As time passed, the man and wife gave birth to a son. His name was Cain. Soon after, they had another son, named Abel (Genesis 4:1-2).

Because Adam and Eve had decided to choose for themselves right from wrong and not trust God, they did not know how to properly teach and rear their children. Without God’s guidance, they made many mistakes.
Whenever Cain wanted his way, he would scream, shout and fight until his parents gave in—which was most of the time. Since they did not give him rules, correct him or teach him God’s Way, Cain became a spoiled bully. Eventually, he grew up to be a spoiled, selfish, immature man.

On the other hand, his younger brother Abel was respectful and selfless. He tried to please his parents and get along with his big broth-er. Though Abel was not perfect and sometimes broke God’s laws, he continually sought to obey God. As they grew into adulthood, Cain became a farmer, while Abel became a shepherd. Both professions were honourable in God’s sight (Gen 4:2).
As a farmer, Cain plowed the soil, and planted and watered seeds.

This was hard, sweaty, back-aching work. But it produced tall rows of sweet corn, green leafy lettuce and other fruits and vegetables. Cain took great pride in what his hard work produced.
As a shepherd, Abel tended flocks of sheep. He led them out to choice green pastures of grass to eat from. Abel protected them from wolves, lions and other wild animals. He guided their every step, away from potential danger, into safety and shelter. Abel used the wool of his sheep to make clothing and other materials. And sometimes he used lamb (baby sheep) for meat.

The Purpose of Offerings and Sacrifices
Both brothers had been taught by their parents to make offerings to God. By choosing the healthiest, most valuable lamb, goat or grains, and then burning them on a special altar, these offerings were to show their Creator that Cain and Abel appreciated the many blessings
He gave them.

Offerings were also to be used to ask God for forgiveness whenever His spiritual laws were broken.
These burnt offerings, or sacrifices, were only temporary reminders. They were to remind people that the Word (the second member of the God Family) would some day be born as a human being. His name would be Jesus Christ. Since He would live a perfect life, never breaking God’s Law, His death would become the perfect sacrifice, or offering. It would wipe away the death penalty, which all people earn through sin—breaking God’s laws (I John 3:4; Romans 3:23; 6:23). Then Christ would be changed from a flesh-and blood man back into a Spirit Being and a member of the God Family.

His perfect sacrifice would provide all people the same opportunity.
Today, we don’t need to make burnt offerings. Upon repentance—changing our thoughts, attitudes, words and actions so that we can copy God’s ways—we can rely on Jesus Christ’s sacrifice to take away the death penalty.

Offerings and Attitudes
When it came to giving offerings, Cain carelessly chose some of his crops and burned them on a stone altar. He did not appreciate the many blessings God had given him—life, air to breathe, rain, sunshine and rich soil to grow healthy crops, food, shelter, safety from wild animals, and much more.

Without considering what God had done for him, Cain carelessly grabbed some vegetables and grains and presented his offering to God on a stone altar. God was not impressed. He saw that Cain had given his offering with the wrong attitude.
On the other hand, Abel considered all the blessings His Creator had given him.

He thought about the times he made mis-takes and broke God’s spiritual laws—yet God was patient and merciful toward him.

He gave Abel the chance to change his mind and actions.

Abel examined his flock and looked for the perfect lamb.

“Not this one,” he said to himself. “It has a birthmark. And this one next to it is too old.”
Finally, he came to the right one. It did not have a spot or blemish, and it was only a year old—not too young or too old. This was the best lamb of the flock.

Abel gently took the lamb, carried it to a stone altar and killed it.
God saw that Abel took the best of what he owned, the little lamb, and gave it—sacrificed it. God was well pleased, because Abel had given his offering with the right attitude (Genesis 4:3-5).

Wrong Attitudes Lead to Sin
Cain had the wrong attitude. Instead of repenting—changing his mind in order to live God’s Way—he became angry, bitter and filled with hate. Inspired by the rebellious Satan the devil, Cain was upset that God rejected his offering, but accepted Abel’s.

“Who does God think He is?” he thought to himself. “Doesn’t He realize that I’m the firstborn? Why does God favor Abel over me?

What’s so special about my little brother? I’m bigger and stronger than than he is! Doesn’t God realize that I’m better than Abel?”

Aware of Cain’s bad attitude, God asked, “Cain, why are you so angry? All you have to do is follow Me and stop being selfish, then I will accept you. But if you do not follow Me, and continue in your selfish ways, your wrong thoughts and attitudes will grow and cause you to do evil. If you continue in your selfish ways, sin will rule over you, when you should rule over it!” (Genesis 4:6-7).

God’s words gave wise instruction, but Cain refused to listen. He allowed bitterness and anger to grow in his mind.

Every time he saw Abel, Cain thought, “He thinks he’s better than me. I’ll show him.”
He allowed his evil thoughts of anger to grow into hatred toward God and Abel. Cain wanted to get rid of them. He knew that he could not harm God, but Abel was a different matter…

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