In the biblical story Abel was a shepherd who offered to God his best lamb. Cain, a farmer, had a very good year, harvesting more than he could use. His sacrifice to God was straw. In the days of Cain and Abel, animal blood was the ultimate sacrifice to God.
Abel’s lamb burnt completely on the altar. Cain’s straw smoldered and never caught fire. The New Testament Book of Hebrews states, “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.”
God prefered Abel’s offering. Cain was so jealous, he killed Abel. He refused to see that actions have consequences. Abel sacrificed something special to God, something he knew God wanted. That is why God accepted Abel’s sacrfice and rejected Cain’s. But Cain did not take the responsibility for his decision. Instead he resented Abel’s success.
Anger and jealousy are deeply rooted in the cainistic personality. The modern-day Cain is easily provoked and angry with others who fail to do his bidding, or do it ineptly. He is angry when others are praised, and he is not. This anger is mostly expressed through rage. He usually will not express this rage in front of others because he is always interested in making a good impression. But if his ego is threated, his rage can burst forth like a 5-year-old having a temper tantrum. He may not physically kill someone, but he will make sure he gets even.
Moore Dianne