hrist was to be
born from their flesh and blood. But let us now return to the text.

186. Moses here uses a very striking personification. He represents
the earth as a dreaded beast when he speaks of her as having opened
her mouth and swallowed the innocent blood of Abel. But why does he
treat the earth so ruthlessly since all this was done without her
will? Yes, being a creature of God which is good, did not all
transpire in opposition to her will and in spite of her struggle
against it, according to Paul's teaching: "The earth was made subject
to vanity, not willingly," Rom 8, 20. My reply is: The object was to
impress Adam and all his posterity, so that they might live in the
fear of God and beware of murder. The words of Adam have this import
"Behold the earth hath opened her mouth and swallowed the blood of thy
brother; but she ought to have swallowed thee, the murderer. The earth
is indeed a good creature, and is good to the good and godly; but to
the wicked she is full of pitfalls." It is for the purpose of
inspiring murderers with fear and dread that these terrifying words
were spoken. Nor is there any doubt that Cain, after hearing the words
from an angry father, was overwhelmed with terror and confusion, not
knowing whither to turn. The expression, "which hath opened its mouth
to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand," is, indeed, terrifying,
but it portrays the turpitude of the fratricidal deed better than any
picture.

V. 12a. _When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield
unto thee its strength._

187. The Lord said above to Adam, "Thorns also and thistles shall it
bring forth to thee." But the words spoken to Cain are different. As
if he had said, "Thou hast watered and fertilized the earth, not with
healthful and quickening rain, but with thy brother's blood. Therefore
the earth shall be to thee less productive than to others. For the
blood thou hast shed shall hinder the strength and the fruitfulness of
the earth." This material curse is the second part of the punishment.
The earth, although alike cultivated by Adam and Cain, should be more
fruitful to Adam than to Cain and yield its return to the former for
his labors. But to the labors of Cain it should not yield such
returns, though by nature desirous to give in proportion to its
fruitfulness and strength, because it was hindered by the blood
spilled by Cain.

188. Here we must offer a remark of a grammatical nature. In the
pre