Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” And the LORD said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.” (Genesis 4:2-11 ESV).
It might seem strange to begin with the story of Cain and Abel in our look at Faith in the Journey, but there is an important truth here. Remember this is the first death recorded in the Scripture. Abel was the first person to be killed and his brother, Cain, was the first murderer. There are so many murders reported these days. I’m rarely surprised at the news of another killing over what often evades the bounds of common sense. This is the story of our reading today; and, it has incredible application to us. Cain was jealous and angry because God did not look with favor on his offering. But Cain did not give God the best of his fruits of the soil. He simply gave some of them, and that dishonored God. God explained to Cain that he simply needed to do what was right, but Cain refused to listen. He did not control his anger or his jealousy, and he killed his brother.
Though anger is simply an emotion we must exercise control of the outcome of it (cf. Ephesians 4:26-27). We can be angry, but it is a sin not to manage our anger. Sometimes that anger can have devastating consequences. Abel was the victim of Cain’s selfishness and wickedness. How undeserving was his death! How searing was the pain in his heart when his own brother killed him! If we experienced such hatred for serving God through faith, how painful would that be?
God understands our grief from injustice and pain. The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.” God acknowledged Abel’s grief and stood up for him. We must walk the path of faith, as Abel did. God will guide our footsteps, acknowledge our pain, and follow up with His justice.