_Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground_ THE STORY OF CAIN AND ABEL I. RELIGION ACTUATED MEN IN THE VERY EARLIEST TIMES. II. THE MERE NATURAL RELIGION IS ESSENTIALLY DEFECTIVE. 1. In its offerings. 2. In the power which it exercises over the passions. 3. In its sympath... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering; but unto Cain and to his offering He had not respect_ THE TWO OFFERINGS I. THE CAUSE OF CAIN’S REJECTION. His total want of the true spirit of faith. Too inflated with pride to see and confess himself a grievous sinner. Could not bring himself t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Cain rose up against Abel his brother and slew him_ THE FIRST MURDER I. IT WAS THE MURDER OF ONE BROTHER BY ANOTHER. We should have thought that the members of this small family could have lived on amicable terms with each other. We should never have dreamed of murder in their midst. See here:--... [ Continue Reading ]
_Am I my brother’s keeper?_ EXAGGERATED INDIVIDUALISM The feeling of our sonship to God in Christ is a topic which requires to be constantly dwelt upon, because our conventional acceptance of such a relationship is apt to be compatible with a life which has no real apprehension of it. I. Of the d... [ Continue Reading ]
_The voice of thy brother’s blood crieth_ THE FIRST PRAYER ON RECORD God taught Cain that all facts which take place here, are recorded too; aye, that they need no kind of attendant watcher, who supervising their proceedings shall note them in a book (though for ought we know to the contrary, this... [ Continue Reading ]
_A fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be_ CAIN CURSED BY GOD “Cursed art THOU. ” Fearful words, coming straight from the lips of God into the very ear of man, standing in the presence of God. No lightning bursting on him from the clouds could be half so terrible. The blessing is revoked, and the c... [ Continue Reading ]
_My punishment is greater than I can hear_ CAIN’S DESPAIR 1. Behold, Thou hast cast me out this day from (_or_ from upon) the face of the ground. Thou hast driven me! He sees it to be Jehovah’s own doing. He who drove Adam out of paradise, now drives Cain out of Eden. Adam’s sin brought expulsio... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord set a mark upon Cain._ THE MARK UPON CAIN What this mark was we cannot tell. It might be his name affixed by the pen of the lightning in red characters upon his brow, or it might simply be the stain of his brother’s blood left by his own fingers, which he had raised up while yet wet and... [ Continue Reading ]
_Cain went out from the presence of the Lord_ THE FUTURE OF A GOD-FORSAKEN LIFE I. THAT A GOD-FORSAKEN MAN IS NOT CUT OFF FROM THE MITIGATING INFLUENCES OF DOMESTIC LIFE. 1. Here the future of the cursed life has some relief. Cain had his wife to share his sorrow, and, for all we know, to help hi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Built a city_ THE FIRST CITY It was a very decided step towards civilization, when the idea of building a city was first conceived and realized. The roaming life of the homeless savage was abandoned; social ties were formed; families joined families, and exchanged in friendly intercourse their ex... [ Continue Reading ]
_Another seed, instead of Abel_ SETH To Eve is born a third son; and he comes to them as the gift of love and the pledge of hope. Eve names him Seth, which means “set” or “placed” or “appointed,” as being expressly given to her in room of Abel, whom Cain slew. In this her faith shows itself again... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord_ PRAYER Prayer is speaking to God--on any subject, with any object, in any place, and in any way. I. PRAYER SO REGARDED IS AN INSTINCT. It seems to be natural to man to look upwards and address himself to his God. Even in the depth of lost knowled... [ Continue Reading ]