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  THE EXAMPLE OF CAIN AND JOSEPH
  by Clement of Rome
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Summary: The sermon highlights the destructive power of envy and
jealousy, using the examples of Cain and Abel, Joseph, Moses, and David
to illustrate the consequences of allowing envy to consume us.

Topics: "Destructive Envy", "Spiritual Wellbeing"
Scripture References: Genesis 27:41

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DESCRIPTION
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Clement of Rome preaches about the destructive nature of envy and
jealousy, using biblical examples such as Cain and Abel, Jacob and Esau,
Joseph, Moses, Aaron, Miriam, Dathan, Abiram, and David. He highlights
how envy led to tragic consequences such as murder, persecution, and
exile, emphasizing the importance of guarding our hearts against envy
and its harmful effects on relationships and spiritual well-being.

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CONTENT
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For thus it is written: "And it came to pass after certain days, that
Cain brought of the fruits of the earth a sacrifice to 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 are you grieved, and why is
your countenance fallen? If you offer rightly, but do not divide
rightly, have you not sinned?

Be at peace: your offering returns to yourself, and you shall 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 killed him." You 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. Envy made Joseph be
persecuted unto death, and to come into bondage.

Envy compelled Moses to flee from the face of Pharaoh king of Egypt,
when he heard these words from his fellow countryman, "Who made you a
judge or a ruler over us? Will you kill me, as you killed the Egyptian
yesterday?" On account of envy, Aaron and Miriam had to make their home
outside of the camp. Envy brought down Dathan and Abiram alive to Hades,
through the sedition which they excited against God's servant Moses.
Through envy, David underwent the hatred not only of foreigners, but was
also persecuted by Saul king of Israel.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/clement-of-rome/the-example-of-cain-and-joseph/
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