The Example of Cain and Joseph
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.
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.
Text
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.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Example of Cain and the Consequences of Envy
- A. Cain's sacrifice was rejected by God due to his wrong attitude
- B. Envy led Cain to commit the ultimate sin of murder
- II. The Pattern of Envy in Scripture
- A. Jacob fled from Esau due to envy and fear
- B. Joseph was persecuted and sold into bondage because of envy
- III. The Consequences of Envy in the Lives of Others
- A. Moses had to flee from Pharaoh due to envy and jealousy
- B. Aaron and Miriam were forced to live outside the camp because of envy
- IV. The Example of David and the Power of Envy
- A. David was persecuted by Saul due to envy and hatred
Key Quotes
“If you offer rightly, but do not divide rightly, have you not sinned?” — Clement of Rome
“Envy made Joseph be persecuted unto death, and to come into bondage.” — Clement of Rome
“Envy brought down Dathan and Abiram alive to Hades, through the sedition which they excited against God's servant Moses.” — Clement of Rome
Application Points
- We must be aware of the dangers of envy and jealousy in our own lives and take steps to overcome them.
- We should strive to offer our sacrifices to God with the right attitude and division.
- We can learn from the examples of those who have been persecuted and overcome by envy and hatred, and seek to follow their examples of faith and perseverance.