First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

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First Christian Voices

For this is written: In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his sacrifices he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. (Gen 4:3–8) You see, friends, how envy and jealousy led to the murder of a brother. Through envy, also, our father Jacob fled from the face of Esau his brother. Envy made Joseph be persecuted to death, and to come into bondage. Envy compelled Moses to flee from the face of Pharaoh king of Egypt, when he heard these words from his fellow countryman, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” (Exod 2:14). On account of envy, Aaron and Miriam had to make their home outside of the camp. Envy brought Dathan and Abiram down alive to Hades, through the sedition which they provoked against God’s servant Moses. Through envy, David underwent the hatred not only of foreigners, but was also persecuted by King Saul of Israel.