East of Eden

East of Eden was the first book on my summer reading list.

It has been highly recommended to me by a few people--
not just one.

And as the former American Literature teacher--
this is a true American classic.

In short--it tells the story of human nature--
of evil and goodness.
And of the constant battle on earth between the two.

It says--

"All novels, all poetry,
are built upon the never-ending contest
in ourselves of good and evil.
And it occurs to me that evil must
constantly respawn,
while good, while virtue, is immortal."

East of Eden is symbolic of the story of Cain and Abel.

And what struck me more than anything in this book is it's
occasional pearl of wisdom, and even of Biblical truth.

Cain killed Abel. Everybody knows that.
He killed his own brother.
Who does that? Did Cain have no soul?

It always seemed that way to me.

After Cain displeased God with his gift
that was not the firstfruits,
God tells him something significant.
He tells him that he will be
accepted if he does what is right.

Some translations say that God tells Cain
not only that he will be accepted if he
does what is right, but also that

"thou shalt rule over him."

Or over sin--indicating that Cain
will have victory over sin.

A promise really. With no other options or choices.

Some translations say "Do thou rule over him."
This is a command from God and
not a promise.

This says RULE over sin, Cain.
Because God says so--just do it!

But in the end--Steinback discovers that
the Hebrew meaning is in the word timshel--which means...

Thou Mayest.

Cain--thou mayest rule over sin--
it is a choice.

And God--in this moment--speaks of what will come.
The constant battle between good and evil.
Because He gives us the chance to choose.

But Cain, Thou Mayest be free from sin.

Thou Mayest be close to God.

Thou Mayest please Him.

Thou Mayest find new life, free from guilt and shame.

And there, in the darkest of stories--
there is grace.

God does not condemn here, the "darkest of sins."

The "do you have a soul"? type sin. That we tend
to condemn.

And He does not condemn us, but allows us to live and
dwell in goodness and freedom.

And in these three words there is great hope.

Because...we always mayest....