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Was God An Accessory To Murder?
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Taking Genesis at its face value, did God deliberately provoke Cain to such intense anger that he killed Abel.
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I posted the question because a theist told me the mercy shown by God to Cain was the first example of God's great mercy to mankind.
So I decided to take Genesis at its face value and re-read it.
What did I find ? God praised Abel but showed no favour or regard for all Cain's hard work. This upset Cain naturally , so what did God do , did he try to calm Cain down ? No way, he stirred things up even more by telling Cain he must expect to be criticised if he has done something wrong. He left Cain with an 'intense anger '.
You know the rest Cain killed Abel and God with all his love was then able to show Cain his great mercy , and just banish him .
So on the face of it Abel was sacrificed solely so God could demonstrate his great mercy. .
Whatever the motive of the author , be it fact or fiction, that is the way I understand the story. Have I got it wrong ? Maybe our Theists can explain it.
So I decided to take Genesis at its face value and re-read it.
What did I find ? God praised Abel but showed no favour or regard for all Cain's hard work. This upset Cain naturally , so what did God do , did he try to calm Cain down ? No way, he stirred things up even more by telling Cain he must expect to be criticised if he has done something wrong. He left Cain with an 'intense anger '.
You know the rest Cain killed Abel and God with all his love was then able to show Cain his great mercy , and just banish him .
So on the face of it Abel was sacrificed solely so God could demonstrate his great mercy. .
Whatever the motive of the author , be it fact or fiction, that is the way I understand the story. Have I got it wrong ? Maybe our Theists can explain it.
One of the most important ways to find answers is one of the most neglected: That is to go to the Bible account that may have given rise to the question. Examine it thoroughly, not neglecting to read the context, the surrounding material.
Because what about those who always ask others? It is unlikely that they have done any. (Genesis 4:7)
Cain was rejected, not because he offered the wrong kind of sacrifice, No, it was because his own works were wicked—marked by jealousy, hatred, and finally murder—that Cain was rejected by God.—1 John 3:12. and it no different today.
Because what about those who always ask others? It is unlikely that they have done any. (Genesis 4:7)
Cain was rejected, not because he offered the wrong kind of sacrifice, No, it was because his own works were wicked—marked by jealousy, hatred, and finally murder—that Cain was rejected by God.—1 John 3:12. and it no different today.
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Actually I have just done a study of this account about Cain & Abel.
After Adam & Eve were cast out of Eden, God promised that there would come a seed of the woman who would bring an end to wickedness by destroying the serpent. Eve gave birth to Cain and she believed that Cain was that seed because she said she had produced a man with the aid of God - Genesis 4 v 1. This being the case, she may well have nurtured this idea in Cain. But she was wrong.
The fact that Abel was a herder and Cain a farmer gave rise to their different sacrificial offerings. There was nothing wrong with what Cain offered. But it was the attitude in presenting the offerings. Abel, being a man of faith would have done the offering with a willing heart attitude, whereas Cain did it because he knew it was necessary and therefore was not done willingly. Much like a child who obeys because he loves his parents or one who does so reluctantly because he wants the praise/reward
.
Cain developed a bad heart and so his motives were wrong because of his reaction to the rejection of his sacrifice. He could have taken the opportunity and put matters right, but he prefered to become angry.
Just how much time and effort Cain and Abel devoted to developing an approved relationship with God is not stated. But God’s reaction to their offerings provides insight into each one’s inmost thoughts.
After Adam & Eve were cast out of Eden, God promised that there would come a seed of the woman who would bring an end to wickedness by destroying the serpent. Eve gave birth to Cain and she believed that Cain was that seed because she said she had produced a man with the aid of God - Genesis 4 v 1. This being the case, she may well have nurtured this idea in Cain. But she was wrong.
The fact that Abel was a herder and Cain a farmer gave rise to their different sacrificial offerings. There was nothing wrong with what Cain offered. But it was the attitude in presenting the offerings. Abel, being a man of faith would have done the offering with a willing heart attitude, whereas Cain did it because he knew it was necessary and therefore was not done willingly. Much like a child who obeys because he loves his parents or one who does so reluctantly because he wants the praise/reward
.
Cain developed a bad heart and so his motives were wrong because of his reaction to the rejection of his sacrifice. He could have taken the opportunity and put matters right, but he prefered to become angry.
Just how much time and effort Cain and Abel devoted to developing an approved relationship with God is not stated. But God’s reaction to their offerings provides insight into each one’s inmost thoughts.
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