Random seem the sparks that fly, the winds that flow
That feed a forest’s fire; so too the face that weeps, the heart
That breaks, the gun that fires in the night, the wound
That bleeds & the rage that burns, the mouth that spews,
The knives that scream behind the smiles which spread onto
Tomorrow’s screeds and screens. When faithless Cain still
Roams the streets and threadlike hamlet paths,
When he still runs from sacrifice, the blood of slaughtered
Lamb, when he in self-righteous unbelief decries his sin
Be not so foul, himself not need-be so washed, guilt-spent,
And flees God-given holy balm to find his own release,
Then will freedom lead to chains and sin his master be.
So earth’s children rise to die among sin-tangled roots
Like sweet-smelling vine that rots in place enshrouding
Abel’s call as he, though faithful was, by murder silent lay.
Yet each with blood-stained hands looks to see the sinless One
They slaughtered, each nailed upon the tree, the incarnate God
Who in holy love spilled free His blood and shattered prison-gates
So Abel’s children, now sinless judged, can guiltless live by faith,
As by grace each finds this Lamb, the worthy sacrifice,
Must need-be for sin, whether Cain or Abel you be.
So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the Lord of the fruit of the ground. Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and for his offering; but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.
Genesis 4: 3-8 (NASB)
And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”
Revelation 5: 9-10
Dreams from a Pilgrimage 
Such beautiful poetic verse to go with the scripture below it. It was the first recorded murder, and until the Lord’s coming there still lurks that kind of evil and jealousy in minds today that acts out with vicious intent their deeds of hate. Heaven will be a beautiful place with we see His face. 🙂
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Thank you, Joyce! I had so much I wanted to say about the story of Cain and Abel, including how Cain refused to see the radical enormity of sin which demanded an equally radical propitiation so that God’s justice and mercy could meet. Poetry forces you to streamline, as you know, & some “t’s” don’t get crossed.
What an indictment against mankind that the first recorded murder is also the first death, that as God says in Genesis 8, “the intent of man’s heart is evil from his youth.” How could we possibly rejoice before the holy God without the blood of the Lamb that blots out our sins?! But we shall be like Christ when we see His face! Amazing grace!
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Most definitely. Amen to that! “What a day that will be when we see Him face to face…” are the words to an old hymn.
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What hymn? So many of the songs I used to sing from the old Methodist hymnal aren’t sung anymore. I wonder if I knew it.
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It might be in one of those old hymnals you used. We sang that song in our old churches from the Foursquare hymnal produced by our Foursquare church denomination. It was very much like the Assembly of God denomination, a full gospel one. A lot of old hymns are not used or sung anymore because of the more trendy contemporary worship and praise songs today. Our church (Rez. church – Resurrection Fellowship – in Loveland) uses a very trendy contemporary form of worship and praise, so does not sing too many of the old ones anymore.
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The hymns we learn as children never leave us, do they? Like a mother’s lullaby. What comfort they give!
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Very true. I still love singing Amazing Grace…how sweet the sound. 🙂 I think it is the one song or hymn that has been sung the most down through the ages.
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To finish Joyce’s hymn…O glorious day that will be. I remember the hymn well. He us the healer and redeemer available to us all.
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Sweet words of faith, keeping us close to Him.
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