Kane watched his kid brother moving among his small flock of sheep. Kane could tell he wasn’t just inspecting them for injuries, or removing burrs from their woolly carcasses either. He was stroking their faces and talking to them each by name. You would think each one of those twenty-five animals was his beloved pet, or something! Me, give me a wolf any day. I’d tame them to be a real helper in no time flat. He scowled darkly. Just because of Lawley and his few silly sheep, Dad had expressly forbidden him to ever own a wolf. Was it really true that wolves and sheep used to play together or is that just some fairy tale the folks made up to entertain us when we were kids? I wonder why i changed?
Lawley’s entire body language denoted despair, and for some reason even that made Kane feel bitter.Why did Lawley have to be so determined to do what was right even if it caused him to suffer? Kane knew that all his life Lawley had enjoyed caring for his fine flock of sheep. Everyone of them was special to him. Every single one, from the ornery old ram to the helpless bundle of innocence he was now cradling in his arms. Lawley claimed that each one had it’s own personality, and he loved them all. Dearly. But the Lord God wanted him to give one, his purest and his best for a sacrifice. Or so Lawley claimed. Kane could tell him brother was feeling all choked up inside. He had never been one to give up anything he desired or possessed. Not willingly at least. But knowing that Lawley was preparing to sacrifie something he dearly loved, made Kane feel uncomfortable.
Kane knew why his brother was preparing to make the sacrifice. They had been severed from the Father. There sins had caused the separation. And the Lord God required an atonement. Somehow the shedding of blood was to represent the cleansing of their sins. Lawley wanted to be cleansed. He yearned to be in full fellowship with the Father. Just like Mom and Dad did. But Kane wasn't quite ready for it. Not if it meant giving up something he truly desired.
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Maybe it is a foretaste of a far greater sacrifice the Father will give. Maybe he wants us to realize how difficult that will be for Him, so that we will value it more. The thought was so foreign it barely had time to materialize before it faded away.
“Well, Lawley, ole man, what are you bawling about now?”
Lawley felt the heat crawl up his neck and turned to hide his tender emotions.
“Are you contemplating killing one of your sheep?” Kane's voice was mocking.
“Did you take that message from the Father that seriously? I don’t think it has to be a blood sacrifice! Fruit of the land is good enough for me.”
Lawley looked at him levelly. “It’s supposed to be a blood sacrifice.”
Kane shrugged his shoulders. “Oh, well, then I’ll kill a deer, or maybe a wolf!” He laughed derisively.
“I hope the Lord God doesn’t smite you down for your disrespectful attitude.” Lawley sounded so serious that Kane stared at him for an instant they strode away.
Quite sometime later Kane rose from tilling the soil and sniffed the air. What was that sweet fragrance? He saw a small, thin column of smoke spiralling up towards the heavens. What a beautiful sight. He was sure his parents, who lived on the other side of the valley were also preparing their evening sacrifices. Yeah, and most of his brothers and sisters, to.
He strode over to his few scrawny sheep and with his hands on his hips, surveyed them one by one. He never did care for raising sheep, but kept a few anyway just for the wool, and a meal now and then. No, I’m not gonna sacrifice one of these beasts. I need them for profit. Whereas I have plenty of veggies. They are far prettier anyways. I’ll wash ‘em up good. The best that is, and pile them attractively on the altar. I’m sure that will be good enough.
He glanced over at Lawley’s altar with another twinge of guilt. Yeah, the message had been plenty clear. Hadn’t the Father said; it was the blood that cleansed us from all sin? Even he had heard the voice. For once. It made him mad that so often Lawley's life made him feel guilty so would rejoice if he ever caught the kid doing something wrong.
Soon Kane had his fire going. He had taken plenty of care to lay just the right amount of dry wood and kindling on top of the pile of stones before creating his centerpiece of fruits and vegetables. They should roast beautifully. The Lord God would be most delighted.
Something was wrong. The smoke, which was black and ugly, was going every which way instead of spiralling upwards. And the stench was horrific.
His smouldering, ever present anger leaped into flames and he strode over to Lawley who was kneeling beside his altar. There was a look of frank adoration on Lawley's upturned face.
Kane grabbed him by the shoulders and jerked him to his feet.
“You cursed my offering!” he accused.
A look of honest bewilderment crossed Lawley’s face.
“Cursed? Your offering? Why would I ever do that?”
“Don’t try to fake innocence with me!” He shook him hard. “You always thought you were better than me.”
“ Don’t be angry, brother. I made a sacrifice because I knew I was a sinner--”
Kane slapped his face hard with his big, brawny hand.
Lawley staggered to his knees. Kane yanked him up with one hand.
“Fight me like a man,” he roared. “I’m tired of you pussy-footing around pretending to be so perfect!”
“But I am only trying to do what’s right, I--”
He had meant to say I am no better than you, but found it hard to breath. Kane had his hands clasped around his neck.
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