1 Clement (A Study) Chapter 4

[HARK!]

Continued from: 1 Clement (A Study) Chapter 3


CHAP. IV.

For thus it is written: “And it came to pass after certain days, that Cain brought of the fruits of the earth a sacrifice unto God; and Abel also brought of the firstlings of his sheep, and of the fat thereof. And God had respect to Abel and to his offerings, but Cain and his sacrifices He did not regard. And Cain was deeply grieved, and his countenance fell. And God said to Cain, Why art thou grieved, and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou offerest rightly, but dost not divide 6 rightly, hast thou not sinned? Be at peace: thine offering returns to thyself, and thou shalt again possess it. And Cain said to Abel his brother, Let us go into the field. And it came to pass, while they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.”15 Ye see, brethren, how envy and jealousy led to the murder of a brother. Through envy, also, our father Jacob fled from the face of Esau his brother.16 Envy made Joseph be persecuted unto death, and to come into bondage.17 Envy compelled Moses to flee from the face of Pharaoh king of Egypt, when he heard these words from his fellow-countryman, “Who made thee a judge or a ruler over us? wilt thou kill me, as thou didst kill the Egyptian yesterday?”18 On account of envy, Aaron and Miriam had to make their abode without the camp.19 Envy brought down Dathan and Abiram alive to Hades, through the sedition which they excited against God’s servant Moses.20 Through envy, David underwent the hatred not only of foreigners, but was also persecuted by Saul king of Israel.21

1 Clement (A Study) Chapter 5

 

[HARK!]

Abel brought his firstlings. Cain did not offer rightly; so he sinned.

If sin is transgression of the Torah; then not making these offerings rightly, was transgression of the Torah. Cain was supposed to know how to make an offering, without sinning, thousands of years before Moses wrote it down.

 

[public hermit]

Continued from: 1 Clement (A Study) Chapter 3


CHAP. IV.

For thus it is written: “And it came to pass after certain days, that Cain brought of the fruits of the earth a sacrifice unto God; and Abel also brought of the firstlings of his sheep, and of the fat thereof. And God had respect to Abel and to his offerings, but Cain and his sacrifices He did not regard. And Cain was deeply grieved, and his countenance fell. And God said to Cain, Why art thou grieved, and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou offerest rightly, but dost not divide 6 rightly, hast thou not sinned? Be at peace: thine offering returns to thyself, and thou shalt again possess it. And Cain said to Abel his brother, Let us go into the field. And it came to pass, while they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.”15 Ye see, brethren, how envy and jealousy led to the murder of a brother. Through envy, also, our father Jacob fled from the face of Esau his brother.16 Envy made Joseph be persecuted unto death, and to come into bondage.17 Envy compelled Moses to flee from the face of Pharaoh king of Egypt, when he heard these words from his fellow-countryman, “Who made thee a judge or a ruler over us? wilt thou kill me, as thou didst kill the Egyptian yesterday?”18 On account of envy, Aaron and Miriam had to make their abode without the camp.19 Envy brought down Dathan and Abiram alive to Hades, through the sedition which they excited against God’s servant Moses.20 Through envy, David underwent the hatred not only of foreigners, but was also persecuted by Saul king of Israel.21

What do you think is meant by "envy," and the phrase "unrighteous envy" that is used in ch.V? Is that basically desiring contrary to the divine will, or?

 

[HARK!]

What do you think is meant by "envy," and the phrase "unrighteous envy" that is used in ch.V? Is that basically desiring contrary to the divine will, or?

Ultimately I believe that when we envy someone else; we reject gifts that our father has given to us. We tell him that we are not satisfied with our gifts. We tell him that we are not content to serve him, in his will, in the function that he has given to us, in his body. We tell him that we are not humble. We elevate ourselves above his will, above his wisdom. We think that we are more important than he. We think that we know better. We worship ourselves over him.

 

[public hermit]

Ultimately I believe that when we envy someone else; we reject gifts that our father has given to us. We tell him that we are not satisfied with our gifts. We tell him that we are not content to serve him, in his will, in the function that he has given to us, in his body. We tell him that we are not humble. We elevate ourselves above his will, above his wisdom. We think that we are more important than he. We think that we know better. We worship ourselves over him.

That makes sense. Thanks.