Chapter XV - Genesis
Spiritual and material
541:1
takes his offering from the firstlings of the flock. A lamb
takes his offering from the firstlings of the flock. A lamb
is a more animate form of existence, and more nearly re-
sembles a mind-offering than does Cain's fruit. Jealous
of his brother's gift, Cain seeks Abel's life, instead of mak-
ing his own gift a higher tribute to the Most High.
541:6
Genesis iv. 4, 5. And the Lord [Jehovah] had respect
Genesis iv. 4, 5. And the Lord [Jehovah] had respect
unto Abel, and to his offering: but unto Cain, and to his
offering, He had not respect.
541:9
Had God more respect for the homage bestowed through
Had God more respect for the homage bestowed through
a gentle animal than for the worship expressed by Cain's
fruit? No; but the lamb was a more spiritual type of
even the human concept of Love than the herbs of the
ground could be.
541:14
Genesis iv. 8. Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and
Genesis iv. 8. Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and
slew him.
541:16
The erroneous belief that life, substance, and intelli-
The erroneous belief that life, substance, and intelli-
gence can be material ruptures the life and brotherhood
of man at the very outset.
541:19
Genesis iv. 9. And the Lord [Jehovah] said unto Cain,
Genesis iv. 9. And the Lord [Jehovah] said unto Cain,
Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am
I my brother's keeper?
Brotherhood repudiated
541:22
Here the serpentine lie invents new forms. At first it
Here the serpentine lie invents new forms. At first it
usurps divine power. It is supposed to say
in the first instance, "Ye shall be as gods."
Now it repudiates even the human duty of man towards
his brother.
541:27
Genesis iv. 10, 11. And He [Jehovah] said, . . . The
Genesis iv. 10, 11. And He [Jehovah] said, . . . The
voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto Me from the ground.
And now art thou cursed from the earth.
Murder brings its curse
542:1
The belief of life in matter sins at every step. It in-
The belief of life in matter sins at every step. It in-
curs divine displeasure, and it would kill Jesus that it
might be rid of troublesome Truth. Material
beliefs would slay the spiritual idea when-
ever and wherever it appears. Though error hides
behind a lie and excuses guilt, error cannot forever be
concealed. Truth, through her eternal laws, unveils
error. Truth causes sin to betray itself, and sets upon
error the mark of the beast. Even the disposition to
excuse guilt or to conceal it is punished. The avoidance
of justice and the denial of truth tend to perpetuate sin,
invoke crime, jeopardize self-control, and mock divine
mercy.
542:14
Genesis iv. 15. And the Lord [Jehovah] said unto him
Genesis iv. 15. And the Lord [Jehovah] said unto him
Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken
on him sevenfold. And the Lord [Jehovah] set a mark
upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
Retribution and remorse
542:18
"They that take the sword shall perish with the
"They that take the sword shall perish with the
sword." Let Truth uncover and destroy error in God's
own way, and let human justice pattern the
divine. Sin will receive its full penalty, both
for what it is and for what it does. Justice marks
the sinner, and teaches mortals not to remove the
waymarks of God. To envy's own hell, justice con-
signs the lie which, to advance itself, breaks God's
commandments.
542:27
Genesis iv. 16. And Cain went out from the presence of
Genesis iv. 16. And Cain went out from the presence of
the Lord [Jehovah], and dwelt in the land of Nod.
Climax of suffering
542:29
The sinful misconception of Life as something less
The sinful misconception of Life as something less