When Calling Is Eroded by Jealousy: Cain and the Drift of Purpose

Now the Human knew, often in a sexual sense. his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gained, connected with “Cain”; lit. “created, acquired.” someone new with GOD’s help.” uncertain. She then bore his brother Abel. Abel became a keeper of sheep, and Cain became a tiller of the soil. In the course of time, Cain brought an offering to GOD from the fruit of the soil; and Abel, for his part, brought the choicest of the firstlings of his flock. GOD paid heed to Abel and his offering, but paid no heed to Cain and his offering. Cain was much distressed and his face fell. And GOD said to Cain,“Why are you distressed,And why is your face fallen? Surely, if you do right,There is uplift.But if you do not do rightSin couches at the door;Its urge is toward you,Yet you can be its master.” Cain said to his brother Abel … and when they were in the field, Cain set upon his brother Abel and killed him. GOD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” And he said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” “What have you done? Hark, your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground! Therefore, you shall be more cursed than the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. If you till the soil, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. You shall become a ceaseless wanderer on earth.” Cain said to GOD, “My punishment is too great to bear! Since You have banished me this day from the soil, and I must avoid Your presence and become a restless wanderer on earth—anyone who meets me may kill me!” GOD said to him, “I promise, if anyone kills Cain, sevenfold vengeance shall be exacted.” And GOD put a mark on Cain, lest anyone who met him should kill him. Cain left GOD’s presence and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. And he then founded a city, and named the city after his son Enoch. To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad begot Mehujael, and Mehujael. begot Methusael, and Methusael begot Lamech. Lamech took to himself two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other was Zillah. Adah bore Jabal; he was the ancestor of those who dwell in tents and amidst herds. And the name of his brother was Jubal; he was the ancestor of all who play the lyre and the pipe. As for Zillah, she bore Tubal-cain, who forged all implements of copper and iron. And the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah. And Lamech said to his wives,“Adah and Zillah, hear my voice;O wives of Lamech, give ear to my speech.I have slain a rival for wounding me,And a lad for bruising me. If Cain is avenged sevenfold,Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.” Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, meaning, “God has provided me with, connected with “Seth.” another offspring in place of Abel,” for Cain had killed him. And to Seth, in turn, a son was born, and he named him Enosh. It was then that GOD began to be invoked by name.

Genesis 4:1–20 traces the first brothers, their divergent callings (shepherd and tiller), the divergence of their offerings, and the tragic consequence when purpose is severed from righteousness.