The Discovery of Genesis (57 page)

When Cain and Abel reached adulthood, each was responsible for his own act of worship. So it was on one occasion that Cain decided to offer some of his assorted beautiful fruits in the place of a lamb. “In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions” (Genesis 4:3, 4). At the same time the younger brother Abel came leading a lamb, which he then killed and placed upon his altar. Both young men knelt before their altars, awaiting the signal that their offerings were acceptable. “And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering” (Genesis 4:4). It would appear that God sent a fire from heaven that burned up the lamb, for from the narrative it is apparent that there was some visible sign of acceptance of the gift.
²
When Abel’s lamb was consumed, he arose and left to return to his flock.

Cain remained on his knees, still awaiting this special sign. But there was no visible indication that Cain’s offering of fruit was accepted. At last he arose, angry with God. As he left in bitterness, Genesis records that God called to him and said, “‘Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is couching at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it’” (Genesis 4:6, 7). If Cain had thought to do things his own way, he soon discovered that his own fruit offering was not accepted.

Instead of repenting of his presumptuous and disobedient act, Cain became more stubborn and defiant.

He sought out his brother and took vengeance on him. “Cain said to Abel his brother, ‘Let us go out to the field.’ And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him” (Genesis 4:8). Cain had become the world’s first murderer!

Usually the brothers returned home together at dusk when their day’s work was finished. This evening only Cain returned; and when Abel failed to come, the parents began to question Cain regarding his brother’s whereabouts. Not only his parents but also “the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is Abel your brother?’ He [Cain] 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’” (Genesis 4:9, 10).

Obviously Cain was unrepentant and surely deserved the just punishment which God decreed. But listen to their conversation: “‘When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength; you shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.’ Cain said to the Lord, ‘My punishment is greater than I can bear. … Whoever finds me will slay me.’ Then the Lord said to him, ‘Not so! …’ And the Lord put a
mark
on Cain, lest any who came upon him should kill him” (Genesis 4:12–15). The Lord showed Cain unmerited mercy — even though Cain, the older brother, was destined to be a vagrant, God promised him protection.

In the Chinese culture the elder brother is shown regard by using the respectful address
elder brother
, rather than calling him by name. He was literally the
spokes
man
, and important representative for the family, as shown by this character
. A similar character
has the same pronounciation in the Chinese but means
cruel, fierce, violent, or inhuman
and is used in reference to killing. The figure itself shows a mark on the body, even as Cain, the original
elder brother
and the first
cruel and passionate
murderer had been marked by God. In the Chinese writing
is used in many words to donote killing or cutting. Therefore this mark on the
elder brother
was very significant in designating him as a murderer. In past years, criminals in China were tattooed on the cheeks or forehead so that for the rest of their lives they would be recognized as outcasts from society. This custom could well have been derived from a knowledge of the ancient story of Cain. It is also surmised that by the broken
mouth
he was no longer regarded as the spokesman for the family.