The Pulpit Commentary — Genesis — Section 161

BUil pordoned sinners, who, hnving believed the Divine promise, had become partak8rs of the Divine mercy. There is no truo piety where there is no humble faith in the gospel. 3. A ha~JJJY home. At lenst it hnd e.11 the elements that wero needfol to surround them with earthly felicity: tho only true foundation on which a happy home con rest-religion (Ps. cxii. 1 ; Prov. xv. 25; xxiv. 3); the best blessing a home oan receive-the Divine favour (Prov. iii. 33); the best ornaments a home can possess-children (Ps. cxxviii. 3). II. TllE BROTHERS A'r WORK. These works were-1. Necessary. God's commands, man's powers and needs, the earth's condition, render toil indispensable. No one is born to sloth. Every one should have a calling. 'fhose whom God's bounty re- lieves from the necessity of toiling for daily bread should still labour in some specific occupation for God's glory and man's good. 2. Various. The first instance of division of labour. Diversity of employments, rendered necessary by indivirhrnl cnpacities and tastes, promotes excellence of workmanship, facility of production, and rapidity of di_stribution; contribu:es to the unity and stab_ili~y of the social fabri_c by teaching the mterdependence of its several parts; multiplies the comforts, sti- mulates the energies, and generally advances the civilisation of mankind. 3. Useful. Most trades and professions are useful ; but some more so than others. Parents should select for their children, and youBg persona for themselves, occupations that contribute to the good of man rather than those which enhance their own profit. A calling that flourishes on the world's luxuries is less remunerative, besides being less honourable, than one which supplies men's necessities. 4. Healthful. These brothers both worked in the open air. Out-of-door employment more conducive io physical vigour hI!d mental activity than toiling in mines, factories, warehouses, and shops. Men should study health in their secular pursuits. III. THE BROTHERS AT WORSHIP. Born in the same home, educated by the same parents, trained to the same duty of devotion, the first brothers became worshippers of the same God, at the same time, and in the same place, at the same altar, and in the same way, viz., by tho presentation of oblations, yet their service was essentially diverse. 1. Their offerings. These were not the same - (1) In matter. Cain brought of the fruit of the ground ; Abel of the firstlings of his flock, and of the fat thereof; The one was bloodless, the other bloody. Each one's offering was con- nected with, perhaps suggested by, his daily calling. So the trades, temperaments, abilities of men determine the kinds of their religious service and devotion. This diversity in men's oblations is natural, appropriate, beautiful, right. God requires the consecr~tion to himself_of the first-fruits of men's powers and callings (Prov. iii. 9). (2) In measure. Abel offered unto God a more excollent (literally, a greater) sacrifice than Cain (Heh, xi. 4). Cain brought of the fruit, not fruits, of the earth-offering with o. penurious hand, as many of God's worshippers do still. Abel brought of the fattest and the best of his flocks ; so should all God's worshippers reserve for him the first-fruits of their years, powers, labours, increase. (3) In meaning. The elder brother's offering was an acknowledgment of dependence upon God, an expression, probably (?), of gratitude to God, possibly also a recoghition of God's claim to be worshipped; the younger son's declared consciousness of sin, faith in atoning blood, hope in Divine mercy. 2. Their worship. The state of the heart is the essential thing in worship. .If the offering of the hand be the husk, the devotion of the soul is the kernel of true religion. Not only was Abel's offeting better than Cain's; it was offered in a better way. (1) In faith, trnsting in the promise, having art outlook towards the woman's seed (Heb. xi. 4). Without faith in the Lamb of God who died for sin no worship can be accepted. (2) In obedience. Abel's worship was offered in the way prescribed. God does not leave men to invent forms of religion. Christianity condemns will-worship (Col. ii. 18). The most costly offerings will not suffice for obedience to Divino prescription (1 Sam. xv. 22). (3) In sincerity. Cain was a formalist; Abel o worshipper of God in spirit and in truth. Only such can worship God (John iv. 24). Hypocrisy and formalism, though accompanied with splendid ritual, God rejects (Prov. xxi. 27; Isa. i. 13-15; Matt. vi. 5). 3. Their receptions. Thcso were-(1) Diametrically oppo~te. Abel was occepted by God, received into Divine favour, regarded as righteous, considered ns [l justified person. Ca.in was not accepted ; not because the fruits of the earth ~verc in themseh·os G2  84 THE BOOK OF GENESIS. [en. 1v. 1-16.