Nomads or Settlers?
One of the earliest stories in Genesis is the puzzling tale of Cain and Abel
Now Abel kept flocks and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering- fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favour on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favour. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Genesis 4
Why did the Lord look with favour on Abel? Richard Giles writes in 'Repitching the Tent' that Abel and Cain represented the two rival communities of nomadic herdsmen and sedentary farmers, and that at the time the nomadic lifestyle was seen to be a sign of independence and prosperity. This is in such contrast to our culture, which sees owning property as a sign of stability, wealth and success, and where our experience of those without homes is limited to negative stereotypes of squatters, homeless people sleeping on the streets or unlawful gypsy camps. Have we got this the wrong way round? Have we learned to value security over freedom, bricks over dreams?
What did the Lord see as He looked into the hearts of Cain and Abel, and how far were their life choices a reflection of who they really were?
What do our life choices say about us?
Now Abel kept flocks and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering- fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favour on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favour. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Genesis 4
Why did the Lord look with favour on Abel? Richard Giles writes in 'Repitching the Tent' that Abel and Cain represented the two rival communities of nomadic herdsmen and sedentary farmers, and that at the time the nomadic lifestyle was seen to be a sign of independence and prosperity. This is in such contrast to our culture, which sees owning property as a sign of stability, wealth and success, and where our experience of those without homes is limited to negative stereotypes of squatters, homeless people sleeping on the streets or unlawful gypsy camps. Have we got this the wrong way round? Have we learned to value security over freedom, bricks over dreams?
What did the Lord see as He looked into the hearts of Cain and Abel, and how far were their life choices a reflection of who they really were?
What do our life choices say about us?
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