Genesis 4:9f
‘The Lord said to Cain: “Where is Abel, your brother?” And he (Cain) said: “I don’t know! Am I my brother’s keeper?”…. And He said (to Cain): “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground!”‘ Genesis 4:9-10.
Calvin comments: “The instruction which Moses here intended to deliver…, (is) that God — both by secret inspiration and by some extraordinary method — cited the parricide to His tribunal…. Prodigious was the stupor of Cain who, having committed a crime so great — ferociously rejected the reproof of God from Whose hand he was nevertheless unable to escape….
“Cain gained nothing by his tergiversation. God first inquired where his brother was. He now more closely urges him — in order to extort an unwilling confession of his guilt….
“God both pronounces him guilty of the slaughter, and at the same time declares the heinousness of the crime…. We are warned by his example, that pretexts and subterfuges are heaped together in vain when sinners are cited to the tribunal of God….
“God first shows that He is cognizant of the deeds of men, though no one should complain of or accuse them. Secondly…, He holds the life of man too dear — to allow innocent blood to be shed with impunity. Thirdly…, He cares for the pious not only while they live, but even after death….
“Abel was speechless when his throat was being cut, or in whatever other manner he was losing his life. But, after death, the voice of his blood was more vehement than any eloquence of the orator.
“Oppression and silence do not hinder God from judg ing the cause which the world supposes to be buried. This consolation affords us most abundant reason for patience, when we learn that we shall lose nothing of our right — if we bear injuries with moderation and equanimity…. God will be so much the more ready to vindicate us, the more mo destly we submit ourselves to endure all things. Because the placid silence of the soul raises effectual cries, which fill Heaven and Earth.
“God will show that innocent blood has not been mute…. He has not said in vain, ‘the death of the saints is precious in His eyes’ (Psalm 116:15) This doctrine bring relief to the faithful, lest they should be too anxious concerning their life ov er which they learn that God continually watches. So does it vehemently thunder against the ungodly, who…scruple wickedly to injure and to destroy those whom God has undertaken to preserve.”
For the voice and the blood (of the innocently slai n), cry out from the ground!
