Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
Select a thought to read by choosing a collection, the month, and then the day:
“[The righteous man’s] horn will be exalted with honor. The wicked will see it and be grieved.”
Psalm 112:9b–10a
“And the Lord accepted Abel’s gift, But he did not accept Cain and his gift. And Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell. And Cain . . . rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.”
Genesis 4:4b–5, 8b
There is a reason that it angers wicked people when God blesses the upright. And instead of them throwing rocks up into the sky at God, they turn on those who have done the will of God and are being blessed by Him. It has been that way from the beginning, as in the case with Cain and Abel, and it will continue to be that way until the end of the world.
The reason it angers the wicked when the righteous are blessed is because that blessing exposes who is wicked. It was God’s choosing to accept Abel’s offering but not Cain’s that made Cain angry. And since he couldn’t get his evil hands on God to kill Him, Cain took his fury out on the person on earth who was closest to God, the innocent Abel.