When Cain and Able were born, Adam and Eve were very happy. They even gave God glory for saying the Lord gave unto them Cain. Interesting how she thought this of Cain but not Able in the beginning. Now, with all children, we are all different and have different desires and purposes in life. Cain was a tiller of the ground, meaning he made sure they had grains, vegetables, and fruits that the family needed. As for Able, he was the one who took care of the livestock, as well as making sure they had meat to eat. Both of these men were doing good in their early years. However, it is when God asked for an offering that jealousy creped into Cain’s heart. God did not accept Cain’s offering of veggies, fruit, possibly bread, which made him angry. It is written, “and Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord. And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering.” (Genesis 4:1-4)
The outcome of jealousy and anger never ends well. Even in our time it sometimes ends in murder like with what happened with Cain. What happens is a lot of people allow this jealousy and anger to eat at them for days. If not taken care of with God, for example in prayer or through a Christian counselor, then bad things happen. The Bible teaches that when our hearts are set on evil things, then sin lies at the door. It is a matter of time that we fall victim to what we have been contemplating on. It is written, as we continue reading in Genesis 4, “but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.” (Genesis 4:5-8) The consequences of Cain’s jealousy was Able’s death and then Him being a castaway. The truth is, we all become castaways when we don’t get our life in check with God. Amen.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that You will help me to not allow anger and jealousy be a part of my life. I know how evil it is to allow anger and jealousy to burn within us when it comes to another person. I have seen many relationships end in divorce and family ties being broken to pieces because of anger and unforgiveness. There are people who still have a hard time being around me because of who I once was, even though I am now different. You have made me a new creation, but still, many people cannot forget the past, while still hanging it over my head wrongfully. This is very sad. I have even done this myself, which I am very sorry for. Lord, I pray that any relationship that is broken now will be mended and made whole again if that is Your will. Otherwise, help me know when to distance myself from people if they are the wrong influence upon me. In all things, I pray that I will be guided and directed by the Holy Spirit and not my own flesh. My own desires get me in trouble and cause me to be sorrowful, but when I do Your will there is only peace and no judgments upon me. Thank You for taking the weight of sin off my shoulders. Only You can do this. I trust in You, Jesus. You are my God and I worship You. I love You. Amen.
