Life Is Precious In Human Life

In the story of Cain and Abel, Cain, a human being, clearly feels remorse for his actions against his brother. Although Cain

Cain and Abel in biblical history was the first instance of murder. The Cain and Abel story foreshadows that Aron would be killed directly or indirectly by Caleb. These connections were made when Adam backed away from his children. This childhood brought emotional turmoil all through Caleb’s life. Even after their childhood when Caleb brought his father money after Adam’s failed lettuce investment he refused to take it, which drove Caleb insane.

Cain and Abel are the first two sons of Adam and Eve. Cain is the eldest and Abel is the youngest. Cain is described as the tiller of the ground whereas Abel is the keeper of sheep. Both men know that God requires an offering, but the offering of Cain is quite different from that of Abel. Abel fears God, and because of this he offers the best of his flock to the Lord. He kills the animal and makes a sacrifice of blood. Abel understands that the shedding of innocent blood for the forgiveness of sin is acceptable. He also knows that this action of his is representative of surrendering his heart to God. By contrast, Cain brings what he has grown and gathered from the earth. In a way, a foolish man would think

For his sin he was expelled from Eden. From that day on he led the life of an exile, doomed to be "a fugitive and wanderer in the earth" (Gen. 4:12) and denied the rights of a normal man, only to bare the mark of a sinner and warning to others. With this Cain walked into the land of Nod (unknown, evil, dark), only to leave a legacy felt by the generations of his offspring.

When God proclaims that he favors Abel's gift over Cain's, Cain becomes angry and jealous towards Abel and he eventually kills him. Although God is fully aware of what has transpired, He asks Cain where Abel is, and Cain answers Him untruthfully saying, "Am I my brother's keeper?" (Genesis 4:2-5). After God reveals to Cain that he knows of Abel's murder, God banishes Cain to another part of the land and places a mark on him so that no man will kill him.

In Genesis, God interacts with Adam by speaking to him face to face. Whether God was giving out instructions or punishment to Adam and Eve, he was always doing it on a personal level. The usual portrayal of God as an omniscient being is instead replaced as mentor to Adam and Eve who is trying to help them understand their existence. This close relationship is shown even when man does something wrong. The only rule that God gives to Adam is that he must not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Adam and Eve go on to break the singular rule and be punished; but not to the extent most would think. Before partaking of the fruit God says that, "the day that you eat of it you shall die"(Genesis). Instead of dying, Adam and Eve are removed from the garden and go begin their lives. God punishes them for their actions, but also gives clothes and allows them to take the knowledge they have gained from the tree. Even after breaking the one rule that he has set for them, God allowed them to keep the knowledge they gained to begin mankind. This grace towards humanity is shown once again with Adam and Eve's children, Cain and Abel. Cain kills Abel after God accepts Abel's offering and not his own. Even with Cain having killed his own brother, God still does not punish Cain severally; "you will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth"(Genesis). This punishment is especially seen as inadequate as Cain goes on to settle in Nod and have his own family. This mercy by God shows that he was unable to punish humanity even for the most serious of offenses. This lack of punishment shows God's sympathy for mankind because of his close relationship with them. This close relationship stems from God's close bond with mankind because of their similar image and knowledge. This relationship that began as two very similar beings, has further blossomed as God has given great responsibility to

He begs to cease his anger and to not destroy sinners this way. “I God, am called to vengeance. It’s my pleasure to take revenge on sin and wickedness. I shall give my signs to the dying, let them take steps to provide for the

Another biblical example of a moral or intrinsic evil is the result of Adam and Eves disobedience of God’s free will in the Garden of Eden and becomes even more clear to them with the birth of their two sons, Cain and Abel. The birth of these two sons brings the evil of lethal violence to society. It begins with rivalry amongst siblings of jealousy and family fighting. Cain’s jealousy finally ends with him making the decision to commit murder and kill his brother Abel. This decision of moral or intrinsic evil made by Cain is the first taking of human life and the deterioration of humanity’s condition. The act of murder is not an act of God, it is an act of man and because of man’s action, evil succeeds in society. Again, the problem of

His jealously drives him to harm Adam. Similarly, Adam represents Abel, the good brother. The reader sees him as more innocent

7 109-114 “Cain...reward” The story of Cain and Abel’s murder shows a very similar parallel to the way medieval clans fought one another. 8 170-180 “These...hell” This finally shows that the oh so Christian

The exert that I chose came from part of the poem “Heorot is Attacked”, lines 102 through 103. Lines 102 through 130 shed light on Christianity/ religion as a value in this culture. In this passage it references Cain from the Bible, who was the son of Adam and Eve. Cain killed his brother Able out of jealousy and “God” or the “Almighty” cursed Cain to destruction. In the Hebrew language the name “Cain” means creature.

He also bore a mark that nobody who came in contact with him would kill him. This signifies that as people are young they will make mistakes and by just punishment will realize that they were wrong. Cain now had a lifetime to think about his murder.

Cain expresses various weaknesses and strengths throughout the story of himself and his brother. Within the story, his weaknesses seemed to overpower the significance of the strengths. The one attribute that stood out the most on each side of the spectrum was his love to please God and his jealousy created by not receiving the same love from God. I believe that it is significant that Cain’s weaknesses are shown in the story. It proves a case where most humans can find relatable and tell of a similar experience, granted that they are not banished and have to live out a life of suffering.

Did you know that the Holy Bible was written over 3500 years ago ("When Was the Bible Written?" - Biblica. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2016.)? In Genesis 1-4, by God this book was written over thousands ago. This story in the Bible is about one great God putting everything we know into existing and creating human however one of the human named Cain gets jealous of his younger brother Abel and kills him. Ultimately, the story portrays the relationship between creation story, jealousies, love, murder and punishment in mankind. In return of God’s creation being jealous, God states the punishment upon Cain however, God still shows love by letting Cain Know that if anybody body tries to kill will suffer sevenfold vengeance (The Norton Anthology World

man is created by him and in his image.  The murderer, thus, did violence to God