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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Rage (violent, uncontrolled hatred and anger) (02/05/15)
A vast expanse of time passed where no other man did tread, in a lush garden of wonder called Eden. The first man Adam and his wife Eve lived within the garden under the watchful eyes of God.

The evil seducer appeared in the Garden, hiding amongst the trees, a serpent more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. In his evil presence, he peered through the leaves at Eve, with flashing eyes and smooth voice, he convinced the woman to sin.

With a flick of her fingers, Eve thrust the forbidden fruit into her husband’s hand. Adam partook, the Father was aware, as the seducer rejoiced in his prideful deceit. The couples chance to remain in the Garden was lost, in one moment it was cast to the wind.

Adam and Eve, hiding amongst the trees, made leaves as a skirt for their bodies. The Heavenly Father questioned their sinful choice, but in answering, God’s judgment was spoken, and their punishment came.

Thrust out from this place of beauty and cast into a harsh environment, they would now live outside of God’s protection.

God gave them skins of death to wrap their nakedness as he gave the first animal sacrifice. Adam and Eve stood tearfully gazing back in regret through the portal from which they were driven.

A Cherubim guarding the entrance of the Garden was seen with a flaming sword flashing back and forth, protecting the way to the tree of life.

With their shoulders slumped over in sadness, Adam and Eve turned and stepped forth with dread. Remembering their ever-present mistake, they made a vow to each other never to forget their shame.

The right timing came and Adam knew his wife intimately; two sons were born, the first named Cain, and the second Abel.

Adam frequently told the brothers about the garden experience, their sin, and the judgment, while warning them with the Father’s words.

"Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, you must not eat from it. Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life.” Genesis 3:17

Since Cain became a tiller of the ground and Able a keeper of the sheep, they each spent long hours alone, in the chosen profession they loved, while thinking about their parents mistakes.

Through watchful eyes of their children, Adam and Eve spent quality time seeking God. Able secretly listened and sought to please the Father, while Cain went his own way. As Able developed a special relationship with God, while watching over his sheep, Cain was consumed by what he wanted to do.

Adam taught his sons about the brazen alter sacrifice, God’s laws, and His commands, saying, “One day you will offer your sacrifice on this alter as I have.”

The brothers often argued about what kind of sacrifices would please Father God. During their conversations, Able continued to remind Cain about their parent’s mistake, and the judgment. Cain’s temper flared day by day, with anger burning hot in his heart toward his brother.

The day of offering came, and in the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel brought the firstborn of his flock with fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering 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 master it.”
Cain spoke to Abel his brother and when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.

Cain’s heart was not right before God, when his anger was kindled against his brother. He had pondered, he planned, and he envisioned what he would do. Anger burned hot in his heart, and in rage he murdered his innocent brother.

When an offence comes to promote anger, sin will crouch at the door. God told Cain “Its desire is for you, but you must master it.” Our first step is to recognize when anger comes, then take control over it, and master it before it masters us.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Holly Westefeld
02/14/15
The challenge for any of us when we choose a well-known Bible story for a given topic, is to approach/retell it in some unique way that stays true to Scripture, but brings a special angle to it that the reader would not have had by simply reading the text. If you have an opportunity to read through the other entries this week, you will find a few other iterations of this first tragedy of rage. What might Adam's or Eve's perspective on this tragedy have been? Or a sibling not specifically named among the "other sons and daughters?"
Catherine Craig
02/16/15
I've tried to recapture and transmit to readers Bible stories. It is difficult, because we scratch the surface and have to go deeper - and deeper. This is good try to do just that, but you might try rewriting it again. Go deeper. Ask the question "why" over and over again...