Reflection:
What is the meaning of the story of CAIN & ABLE?
This
question was posed for those studying the Old Testament in Year One of Education
for Ministry (WK 5).
The
Sacred Tools of Discernment indicated that the answer to this question may be
obtained by reflecting on the primary influence of the tribe of Ephraim &
Manassah and the secondary influence of the tribe of Judah; that is, Produce + Praise = Thanksgiving.
Yadah
(yaw-daw’) in Hebrew means “throwing
down thanks.”
The text associated with Yadah in the Hebrew Scriptures is associated with the story of the
Ark of the Covenant being brought into the temple (see 2 Chr 5:11-14).
This story appears in the Reaction section of the
reflection cycle, which means that EXAMINATION, CHANGES and OUTCOME are still in process. The inference we can draw from this is that the story of Cain and Able
is about reaction and its consequences.
In the Cain and Able story Cain kills Able because of
jealousy that Able’s offering of thanksgiving to YHWH was accepted but Cain’s
was not.
EXAMINATION
The related scriptural text refers to the Ark being brought into the temple and the priests praising and thanking YHWH for all that is good.
The related scriptural text refers to the Ark being brought into the temple and the priests praising and thanking YHWH for all that is good.
CHANGES
This story has more to do with what kind of offering is acceptable more than it is about the first murder. Cain’s offering as a hunter and gatherer was a subtraction. He only took something; he did not give back or create anything.
This story has more to do with what kind of offering is acceptable more than it is about the first murder. Cain’s offering as a hunter and gatherer was a subtraction. He only took something; he did not give back or create anything.
OUTCOME
When the offering to YHWH comes from an addition (farming or sustainable energy) then the offering is acceptable and fills the temple with glory.
When the offering to YHWH comes from an addition (farming or sustainable energy) then the offering is acceptable and fills the temple with glory.
TODAY’S WORLD
Jealousies
continue to take place all over the world, as do the deaths of innocent victims.
This reflection also applies to the morality (acceptable offering) of
sustainable energy, such as hydroelectric, solar, wind turbine and so forth;
whereas consumption of fossil fuels, such as oil and coal are subtractions, and
has negative consequences to the environment. Atomic energy also comes under
this category: where energy is created from depletion (unacceptable offering)
rather than from creative additions.
References:
See Bibliography: Sacred Tools of Discernment by Jonn Lavinnder
References:
See Bibliography: Sacred Tools of Discernment by Jonn Lavinnder
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