Cain and Abel

In the story of Cain and Abel, both brothers look for approval from God. God favors Abel over Cain and the jealously that Cain feels leads him to kill Abel. Cain's feelings of jealously towards his brother are common throughout humanity. Children look for approval from their superiors, usually their parents, and when they do not get it they may lash out. God is put in the role of the parent in this story, he gives both favor and punishment to his "children" Cain and Abel.

This story explores the nastier side of humanity. Cain feels jealously and anger towards his brother and also towards God. It is Cain's role to tend to the earth and Abel's role to tend to livestock. When Cain and Abel bring their offerings to God, He prefers Abel's offering of animals to Cain's offering of fruit. Thus, Cain is set up to be jealous of his brother and angry at God. Abel did nothing to Cain, yet Cain feels that, when compared to his brother, he is not good enough. Therefore, in his eyes, he must kill Abel to be recognized for his accomplishments. God does not protect Abel, and if we understand God to be all-powerful in these stories, then he allows Cain to kill Abel.

The mark that God puts on Cain is interesting. Cain feels his punishment, and his guilt after killing his brother is too much to bare and he says that anyone who sees him will kill him. God marks him, so that he will not be killed. God wants Cain to live with his guilt and suffer it no matter where he goes. Although it is not clear what the mark is, it seems as if it would be obvious to anyone who came in contact with Cain what he had done.

This story explores the unpleasant emotions and actions of the human race; jealously murder, anger, vengeance, ect. It serves a purpose, to educate us that crime will be met with punishment and thus, justice is served.