Scourge (Perspectives)

Here we discover Cain's "Perspectives", where biblical stories are told from singular points of view.

I work, and I work, and Abel tends to animals, a babysitter! Yet God has the nerve to give favor to Abel and not me! Cain thinks as he beats the ground, yet again. His hands are covered in sores, his feet are aching, and his body is drenched in sweat. What is this foolishness?! That I should break my back and get looked upon with disgust?! This anger! What can I do to rid myself of it?! Cain's grip on the til tightens before he pulls back and throws it with all of his might. 

“Rage… pride…” The words resound in the back of his mind.

A voice thunders to him… Inquiring him of his feelings. He knows it is God, who is not the person Cain wanted to speak to right then. He balls up his fist and storms away, hunting for his brother's ear to vent his frustration to.

“Rage… pride…rage… pride” The words become a rhythmic blend of his anger, almost a drum beat in his mind. He finds his brother still looking after the family's flock.

 “Abel! The LORD is forsaking me, taunting me that I should be happy when He refuses to look on my offering with any favor!”

Abel speaks calmly to his brother, assuring him that the LORD is blessing the family, not just him. How could this fool understand?! Again, Cain feels separated, as he does so often. Abel is the favored son, but what of myself? Do I not provide for the family? Have they all turned from me?! I will be favored! Abel is my obstacle! 

“Rage… pride… rage… pride” Cain hears the words as if music were being played beside him. “Surely Abel could hear this too” he feared.

Cain rises and rests his hand on his brother's back, “Will you join me for a walk brother?” His brother obliges, and they leave together. The veins in Cain’s neck and head are pulsing. He is struggling to keep his composure. He knows what he has to do to find the LORD’s favor, to find favor with his parents. He leads Abel to the field he was in earlier that day, making small talk the entire way. Cain had convinced his brother that the field is dry, and that their harvest would suffer. He leads him to a spot near the edge of the field, closest to the brush. He has Abel kneel down to examine the soil.

“RAGE!!! PRIDE!!! RAGE!!! PRIDE!!!” the sound was deafening now. He covers his ears as his brain is ravaged by the noise. He reaches for a rock, he feels the coolness of it in his hand. This is not just a weapon, it was the instrument of his divine favor. He slams the rock into Abel’s skull, causing his brother’s legs to buckle as he collapses. The sound! The sound is fading at last! He raises the rock and hits Abel again. Every hit helps the words fade a little further away. He stops, he stares at his hands, and he realizes what he had done. He screams at the sky “SURELY NOW I MUST HAVE YOUR FAVOR!” He laughs hysterically as he makes his way home, stopping to wash the blood from his hands.

He hears the LORD’s voice, he knows his blessing will come shortly. “Where is your brother, Abel?” The voice asked. Still with Abel, I have smitten him from this earth for you! Cain thought to himself.

“Am I my brother’s keeper?” He says it with boldness, content in his speech. The LORD speaks back, thundering a curse upon him. Curse me?! I did this for favor and still He curses me?! 

“I can not bear this punishment! You are stripping me from my home, and putting a price on my head!”

A voice begins to echo in rhythm again, growing louder… this time it is not repeating rage… pride… but instead: Why, my brother? Why, my brother?