August 12, 2024
Cain and Abel -- Part 1
Genesis 4:1-2
08/12/2024
1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and
bore Cain, saying, I have gotten a man with the
help of the LORD.
2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was
a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the
ground. (ESV)
This weeks Bible readings give us both a warning and hope.
For the Old Testament, we heard of Cain and Abel, where Cain
murdered Abel because of Abel's faith. Our Gospel reading was
the well-known parable of the Publican and Pharisee, where the
publican or tax-collector, was forgiven his sins because he
confessed that he was a sinner, and the Pharisee refused to admit
any sin. Finally, our Epistle reading gives us the hope that we
do not earn our salvation from sin and death, but that it is
given as a gift. ``For by grace you have been saved through
faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not
a result of works, so that no one may boast.''[1]
This week we will look at the story of Cain and Abel,
examine Abel's faith, and see the warning given to all people.
``Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain,
saying, `I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.' And
again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep,
and Cain a worker of the ground.''
We believe, teach, and confess that the Bible is truly the
inspired Word of God, therefore it is true as regards the history
of humanity. Adam and Eve, being driven from Eden because of
their sin, began to be fruitful and multiply. Knowing God's
promise of a Savior, which was given the day our first parents
defied God, Eve was convinced that her first-born was the one who
would deliver them from sin and death. In the Hebrew Eve says,
``I have gotten a man, the LORD.'' She would be sorely
disappointed.
May our Lord grant us wisdom to learn from the past so that
we may know Him all the days of our life. Amen.
____________________
1. Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)