a material offering to God. Abel takes his offering from the firstlings of the flock. This sheep is a more animate form of being, and more nearly resembling a mind-offering, than is Cain's fruit. Jealous of his brother's gift, Cain seeks Abel's life, instead of making his own gift a better tribute to the Most High.
Genesis iv. 4, 5. And the Lord had respect unto Abel, and to his offering; but unto Cain and his offering He had not respect.
Had God more respect for the homage bestowed through a gentle animal, than for the worship expressed by Cain's fruit? No; but the lamb was a better type of Love than the herbs of the ground could be.
Genesis iv. 8. Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and slew him.
The erroneous belief that Life, Substance, and Intelligence can be material, violates the brotherhood of man at the very outset.
Genesis iv. 9. And the Lord said unto Cain, “Where is Abel, thy brother?” And he said, “I know not; am I my brother's keeper?”
Here the serpentine lie invents new forms. It usurps divine power at first. It is supposed to say in the first instance, “Ye shall be as gods.” Now it repudiates even the human duty of man towards his brother.
Genesis iv. 10, 11. And He [Jehovah] said, “The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto Me from the ground; and now thou art cursed from the earth.”
The belief in material life sins at every step. It incurs the divine displeasure, and would kill Jesus, that
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