First Conflict

“Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, ‘I have gotten a man-child with the help of the Lord.’ And again, she gave birth to his brother Able. And Able was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the Lord of the fruit of the ground. And Abel, on his part also brought the firstlings of his flock and their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Able and for his offering; but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard.” Genesis 4:1-5a

I woke up thinking of this passage today and the more I thought about it the more ideas came. Perhaps here is the core of all conflict. One son, two professions, each with special differences. Both professions needed for sustaining and protecting life. Both dependent on different types of planning and sweat of the brow. Both men made offerings to dedicate their labour to the Lord. Perhaps Cain thought of it first or watched their father or was told to do it. However, Cain’s was rejected. We don’t know why, perhaps it was heart attitude; perhaps it was pride. God knows the darkness hidden in all our hearts. Conflicts like this continue today with the same roots of competition for attention in families, schools, churches and the world.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith’ and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10

Know His Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Ongoing prayer requests: For the New Year in God’s hands. Healing of Barb and Gary, who lost their jobs; wisdom for doctors caring for: Doris, David, Adrian, Randy and Michael. For new work projects for me. Praise: Lyle’s brother (healing well) and for his girlfriend (who has stayed with him throughout the entire ordeal).