Arkansas State press., 1942-07-17
Sunday School
Lesson
July IS Lesson 3
CAIN AND ABEL; A CONTRAST
Genesis 4

July IS Lesson 3
CAIN AND ABEL; A CONTRAST
Genesis 1
In Cain and Abel we have two
distinct types. The first was
the type Of the wording who
loves wealth and ease and indul-
gence, but is willing to 60 through
the formalities Of piety provided
they do not defy his will or cross
the grain Of his nature. In the
second we have the type of the
truly pious man who is conscious
of his sin, believes sincerely in
God, and approaches God in the
way that he has prescribed. Thus
the forces Of good and evil have
become ingrained in the race and
will remain in perpetual contrast
until evil is finally overthrown.
Lesson Text and Outline
Genesis 4:l-l5
]. THE MURDER OF ABEL
l And the man knew Eve his
wife; and she conceived and bare
Cain, and said. have gotten a
man with the help Of Jehovah.
2 And again she bare his brother
Abel And Abel was a keeper of
sheep, but Cain was tiller Of
the ground. 8 And in process of
time it came to pass, that Cain
brought Of the fruit Of the ground
an Offering unto Jehovah. And
Abel, he also brought of the first
lngs of his flock and of the fat
thereof. And Jehovah had re.
spect unto Abel and to his Off
ering; but unto Cain and to his
Offering he had not respect. And
Cain was very wroth, and mis-
countenance fell. 6 And Jehovah
said unto Cain, Why art thou
wroth? and why is thy counten-
ance fallen? 7 If thou doest well,
shall it not be lifted up? and if
thou doest not well, sin coucheth
at the door; and unto thee shall
I've it desire; but do thou rule over
it, 8 And Cain told 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.
II THE PUNISHMENT OF CAIN
8 And Jehovah said unto Cain,
Where is Abel thy brother? Ard
he said, ! know not; am | my
brothers keeper? 10 And he said,
What hast thou done? the voice
of thy brothers blood crieth unto
me from the ground. II And
now cursed art thou from the
ground, which hath opened its
mouth to receive thy brothers
blood from thy hand; IL when
thou tillest the ground, it shall
not henceforth yield unto thee its
strength fugitive and a wander
err shalt thou be in the earth. 10
And Cain said unto Jehovah, My
punishment is greater than / can
bear. IA Behold, thou hast driv-
en- me out this day from the face
of the ground; and from thy face
shall be hid; and ! shall be a
fugitive and wanderer in the
earth; and it will come to pass,
that whatsoever findeth me will
STAY me. Is And Jehovah said
unto him, Therefore whosoever
slayetE Cain, vengeance shall h
taken on him sevenfold. And Je-
hovah appointed a sign for Cain
lest any finding him should smite
him.
Notes Analytical and REPOSITORY
1. THE FIRST MARTYR was
Abel. Note (l) He was the youn-
ger son Of the first parents, Grad
led in the earliest home just out
side Eden, and taught at least the
rudiments of righteousness by
parents who had met and talked
with God face to face. (2) He
was given the significant name
Ct Abel which means "vapor." 1t
was possibly prophetic Of his brief
career vanishing so early from
the earth. (3) Perhaps taught by
his father he became shepherd
1t required an outdoor life, put
him in elise touch with nature,
and occupied him with one of the
honorable callings of life. He was
rot doubt faithful and successful
in his trade. (4) Seven times
Abel is spoken of as the brother
of Cain. It appears that he fnl-
filled his part of brothers duty
better than Cain. here is, there
fore, all the more pathos in the
sequel (5) Conforming to instruc
ton received from the Lord, doubt
less through Adam, he established
the altar Of worship. The offer
ing he brought to lay upon it was
tinged with atoning blood, reveal
ing Abel's confession of sin and
his faith in Gcd. Moreover, he
brought the firstlings of the flock
not the sick or weak or dwarfed;
and he placed ON the altar the fat
thereof, not the uncomely and
useless parts. (6) The ogering was