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T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
June, 1942
to fellowship with Him. To make this fact real to men, even before the com ing of Christ, there had to be the shedding of the blood of innocent lambs, and the skins of the lambs were used to provide coats for Adam and Eve. As I fold this paper again, we shall see what happens when a sinner ac cepts Christ as Saviour. The cross of Christ covers sin and takes away the separation which once existed. There is now nothing between God and man but Christ, God’s Son and man’s Saviour. then on, all who have come into this world have been on the plane of fallen nature—sinners. Eve named her first-born son Cain, which means “ acquisition” or “ pos session” ; and she named her second son “Abel” because she evidently thought, he was of little account com pared with Cain; Abel means “that which ascends” or “vapor” or “van ity.” Eve was apparently ignorant of the fact that the promised “seed of the woman” could not be the seed of the man (cf. Lk. 1:34, 35; cf. Gal. 4:4). Cain was a tiller of the ground, and Abel a keeper of sheep. There was nothing wrong in either occupation. II. T heir C haracters (3-5) What these two men were, inward ly, was seen only when they came be fore God in worship. They came at the same time, to the same place, before the same God, with the same purpose, and each brought an offering to God. •The key to an understanding of the matter is found in the first two words of Hebrews, 11:4: “By faith.” B. B. .Warfield points out: “It was ‘by faith’ that Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain—which seems to suggest that the supreme excellence of his sacrifice is to be sought not in the mere nature of the thing offered, but in the attitude of the offerer. What seems to be implied is that Cain’s offering was an act of mere homage; Abel’s embpdied a sense of sin, an act of contrition, a cry for succor, a plea for pafdon.” Abel came as to a Redeemer, Cain to a Creator. Abel brought a sin offer ing, Cain a thank offering. Abel acknowledged death, but Cain denied it. Abel came with blood, Cain with out blood. Abel secured justification, Cain condemnation. Abel was depend ent upon God and grace; Cain was de pendent upon " himsE * and works. Cain was the first Pharisee because
tionship man had with God. It was not long until SIN entered the garden. [Show the spaces between the second and third folds on each end.] When SIN came into the garden, it came be tween God and man, bringing about a separation. [Fold these ends toward the center. The word “SIN” will be between “GOD” and “MAN,” leaving only “SEPARATION” showing.] God did not want sin and separa tion to continue, but only through Christ’s giving of His own life on be half of sinners could they be restored Genesis 4il And Adam knew Bye il« wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the f-ord. . . . . a And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain w a s a tiller of the ground. 3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the huit of the ground an offering unto the Lord; ' 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat there of. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: . ' ■ - 5 But -into Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy counte nance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not b e .accepted ? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door: and unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother ; and it came to pass, when they were in the fiél4» that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. 9 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, 1 know not: Am I my brother’s keeper? 10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground. 11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand. 12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall hot henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. 13 And Cain said unto' the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and 1 shall he a fugitive >and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth. nie shall slay me. 15 Anà- thè Lord said unto him, There fore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any find ing him should kill him. LESSON TEXT : Gen. 4:1-15. GOLDEN TEXT : “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous” JULY 19, 1942 CAIN AND ABEL: A CONTRAST G enesis 4 ALL-BIBLE GradedSeriesof SundaySchoolLessons Clarence H. Benson, Editor-In-Chief Summer Quarter Lesson Themes BEGINNERS — Stories on “ Growing.” Bible Pictures that teach the importance of resisting sin, forming the right habits, developing kindness as a character trait. PRIMARY— Stories o f “ Trusting.” Dependence upon God for deliverance and leading; recognition o f His rule over creation. JUNIOR— Stories o f “ Leading.” God’s leading under two great colorful prophets—Eli)an and Elisha. How God will lead us if we learn His way. INTERMEDIAT! —Heroes of the Old Testament. Stirring examples forthe adolescent from the lives o f three kings, a chief prophet and a weeping prophet, a watchman, a prime minister, a brave girl, a priest, a prince who turned builder. | SENIOR— The practical side of the Christian life as portrayed in these poetical, books —Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon. Teacher’s manual, 25c; Pupil’s manual, lÒCr Read C H U R C H S C H O O L P R O M O T E R THE SCRIPTURE PRESS, INC. Dept. KB-6 8 0 0 N orth C lark S tre e t, C h icago, Illinois Am interested In your Victory Program for keeping the Sunday-School activethis summer. Please sendmeyourfree book of helpful suggestions and lesson outlines (enclosing 10c will help toward mailingcost). I am □ Pastor□ Superintendent□ Directorof ReligiousEducation □ Teacher of - church S. S. Mail Coupon for Sample Lessons FOR NEW ZEA L, NEW IDEAS □ Sample copy, Church School Promoter, the magazineof theSundaySchool—enclose[10c N am e „ . — — ..............- » ! ;! Addresn ......... ■■- j City _____________— _____________________— ------------- State. ■ ,.. . ■ ' Church Name and . D enom ination ____ ■■■- ■ ■ — ¿Superintendent’s [ Name andAddress, _______ — „------ ■■. ■■ * I
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