C (3:33)
The cave was dark, only slightly lit by the firelight near them. Eve's quiet and determined breaths echoed through the night. Beads of sweat like pearls descended down her brow. Adam knelt beside Eve as her hands and knees pressed against the floor. Is this death? Is this what God spoke of? Eve said with labored breathing. Adam's lower lip quivered. No, Eve. I believe this is life. And with that final encouragement, Eve let out a mighty cry, giving birth to a son. Adam wrapped him in his arms and wiped him with woven wool. We must name him as God named me, adam said to Eve. Eve rolled onto her back and reached for her son. She cradled him in her arms and stroked his face. His name shall be Cain, she whispered. For through him I have received help from the Lord. Eve pressed Cain against her chest and cried tears of joy. God had promised Eve that through her offspring, the work done by the serpent would be undone. He promised that a hero would come from her line. As she cradled Cain in her arms, she believed wholeheartedly that he would be their promised deliverer. Thus, Cain's ascension as the hope of humanity began. His younger years were spent saturated in the belief that he was the favored hero of God destined to reclaim Eden. Years later, Eve felt the pangs of childbirth again to bring forth her second son, Abel. Adam held Abel into the air and whispered to God, we are multiplying, Lord, just as you asked. The two boys grew strong under their parents care. Adam taught Cain how to till the land and the reason for his struggle. He taught Abel how to tend to the livestock. Abel learned to care for the sheep with dignity as a fellow creature and heir of the land. Most importantly, Adam taught his sons how to sacrifice to the Lord. He would take them up the mountain, bringing sacrifices to the Lord together. One day you will make your offerings to the Lord, he said. You will join us in our mission to reclaim our relationship with God. When the boys were of age and they had become men, it was time for them to march up the mountain on their own and make an offering to the Lord. Cain scanned the crops he had grown. His parents had told him stories of the sacred garden, the paradise they tragically lost. He had done his best to master the land in a way that it flourished, but to no avail. The earth was against him, in competition with him. Yet there was beauty in the struggle. Not that Cain recognized it. He was less concerned about the art of cultivation and more concerned with the input, output relationship of farming. He put in the work and the land gave him crops. He saw his sacrifice to God in a similar manner. I will give an offering and God will give a blessing, he thought to himself. He picked some of the berries he had grown in a small garden, along with wild grains he had grown at the base of the mountain. He collected them in a basket, scaled the hill and placed them at the altar before the Lord. He looked around, awaiting a sign that God had accepted his gift. Yet there was nothing. Just the silence of the land, accompanied by the slight breeze whistling through the hills. Where are you? Cain whispered, hoping God would somehow appear to him. Cain was unsure what he was looking for, but knew he would know it when he saw it. There was only silence. No explanation as to why his offering was not met with an opening of the heavens or a dawning of blessing. Just silence. Cain drug his feet down a small path and sat on a stone, waiting for God to bless him. As he waited, Cain heard the faint bleating of a lamb in the distance. Abel was scaling up the hill, carrying the firstborn lamb from his flock on his shoulders. A dagger was strapped to his side. Tears rolled down Abel's face as he placed the newborn lamb on the altar. He stroked its head and sang it a song. Abel loved every one of his beloved sheep. He had a tender heart and understood the value of the life he would offer God. Abel brought the firstborn of his flock the best of what he had. It was an act of pure faith. With a steady hand, he slit the lamb's throat and let it bleed onto the altar. He offered the best parts of the lamb to God and sang a song silently to him. The purity of Abel's faith shone through. Cain watched from a distance and waited for something to happen. He waited for God to move. And sure enough, God did. An indescribable shift occurred in the atmosphere around Abel. The favor of God was upon him on that hill. It seemed as though a sliver of Eden was reclaimed for humanity through Abel, not Cain. Abel descended the mountain surrounded by a holy glow of God's love and affirmation. He was like a trickling stream, joyfully falling from the hills. Cain emerged from his hiding place with his mouth agape. Rage welled up within him. He was not angry at Abel. He was angry at God. Cain was supposed to be chosen, not able. He was supposed to be blessed. Cain's entire body shook with jealous rage. Then, interrupting the tense silence God sent, spoke. Why are you so angry, Cain? Why has your face fallen? The voice said. Cain scoffed. Oh, now you show yourself, he replied crossly. Cain's mind raced with hatred and contempt. He didn't understand why God had blessed Abel instead of him. He was the oldest. He was the one whose name held a promise. God's voice resonated within. Warning came, if you do well, will you not be accepted? Be warned, Cain. Sin is crouching at the threshold of your heart. It desires to destroy you, but you must overcome it. If I do well, Cain replied sarcastically. If I do well. Cain stormed down the hill, determined to leave a distance between him and the Lord. God's word was not a comfort to Cain, but salt to his wounded pride. The further he descended the hill, the darker his heart became. Rage against God was boiling over in his heart. If it is blood you want, cain whispered, then it is blood you'll get. Cain sauntered to the pasture where Abel tended his sheep. The sun began to set and a dark red hue covered the horizon. Sin was stalking at the borders of Cain's heart, ready to pounce. Cain. Cain mimicked Sin's predatory movement as he approached his brother, Abel. He picked up a stone and held it firmly in his hand. Abel heard something behind him and turned to see his brother coming. Cain. Able shouted. Oh, my dear brother, I must tell you what happened at the altar of God today. But before Able could utter another word, Cain pounced. He struck his brother on the temple, sending him flying to the floor. Abel bounced back up and tried to run, but Cain grabbed him by the foot and dragged him back. Able struggled, throwing sand in Cain's face. Cain yelled and threw both of his fists down at Abel. His anger was not directed towards Abel. No, it was directed at the Lord. Blow after blow, Cain threw spite at God by striking his innocent brother. When Abel was too weak to struggle, Cain pressed his thumbs against his throat and finished what he started. Able's life left him. Cain removed his hand, rolled his neck back, and exhaled quietly. He dared not look up at Heaven, but he dared not look down at his slain brother. Cain found himself suspended in a place between guilt and indignation. He buried his brother in that field and stormed back to his home to rest. Abel had been buried, but his blood cried out from the ground. God had seen it all, and he would not let Cain go unpunished. One day he would end the hatred that consumed Cain. He would send his redeemer to rid the world of sin once and for all.
