The Importance of Cain and Abel
Why do biblical stories like this still matter today?
The story of Cain and Abel goes something like this. Cain and Abel are brothers and both brothers want to be in Gods favour. From my reading of the scripture Cain goes about trying to please God by bringing him fruit from his land but Abel brings God the first fats of his flock. Biblically speaking God rewards those who bring their first fruits not just some of their produce. Delving slightly deeper into this point without going off track, this in my mind, would be because he wants his people to put him first. Why?
- Firstly because the importance of putting god first is the first 4 of the commandments.
- Secondly in a more modern take this ensures that you are psychologically not dependent on the proceeds of your work and is a reminder that nothing is more important than god thus ensuring you don’t (inadvertently as we all do) begin worshipping (by that I mean spending alot of time doing) something else. Phew, not even got to the point I’m trying to make here.
Anyway continuing on, Cain becomes jealous of his brother Abel because of gods favour over Cain and murders him. Bit harsh, but given the times you can appreciate they were probably quite immature in their way of thinking. But don’t go getting on your high horse. We can draw alot more from this. You may say well that’s obvious I would never murder anyone because they are better than me. Most likely true but later in the new testament Jesus says that (please mind my off the cuff quote) “anyone who is angry at a brother has already committed murder in his heart". What does he mean by this? Jealousy, anger, rage against people who are just that bit better off than you. You are psychologically speaking at the beginning stages of murder. This is where all murderous thoughts come from, but don’t get me wrong I know most people would never act on it. Which is also very important, but just as important is the missing peace. You lose that peace every time you see that person. So I would suggest looking to find peace with them in your heart or keeping yourself away from them.
But why does it even matter anyway how I feel I’m not hurting anyone? Well this is where I get a bit beliefy. Back to the story, long story short god punishes Cain and banishes him as a fugitive and does not show God’s presence. I do believe that god is trying to show us here that his peace, his mercy, his justice, his love, can be taken away for such crimes against humanity… but more importantly because of the new testament Jesus is saying that he can take his favour away just for having felt a certain way. And what are God’s fruits? Peace, love, faith, kindness, gentleness, patience. So now god will take all of it away. The Old way still stands but with the New way escalating upwards in hierarchy the importance of our hearts.
Today in a social media age this problem of being as good or better than people is rife. I know I have felt it for many many years. It truly has ripped away my peace, taken away my love for the world and made me a slave to jealousy and anger. This I do believe is a huge problem of our generation of which I believe only God can help us with.
Peace and Love x
