Cain and Abel

In a world now marred by sin and death, Adam and Eve begin to build a family. They hold fast to God's promise to send a redeemer, as seen in Eve's joyful confession at the birth of Cain. Yet sin's stubborn grip on the fallen human heart becomes clear, for Cain develops a hatred towards his righteous brother Abel. Such hatred is the evidence of prideful unbelief and an allegiance to the Serpent and his ways. With premeditated intent, Cain slays Abel and then responds to the Lord's inquiry with lies and callous sarcasm. The Lord will not abide such brazen indifference towards injustice and condemns Cain to a life of wandering and fear, together with a greater frustration of the work of his hands. Even as Cain lives out this punishment with a measure of God's kindness upon him, God never forgets the blood of Abel and its cry for justice. Such a cry is ultimately answered in the blood of another: One who gives his life for his enemies and executes justice for the oppressed—the one whose blood speaks a word of grace and justice to all who love him and walk in his ways.