Pushing the stones he had gathered into a pile, the tall sun-bronzed teenager used them to build an altar like he had been taught to build altars. Selecting fruit from his well tended garden, the boy threw it on the heap of rocks he had arranged, and striking a piece of flint to the altar waited for the fire to erupt. But God had other ideas—the tiny spark made by the flint did not become a flame and the sacrifice did not burn. He tried several times but the fruit was not consumed. Exasperated, Cain kicked the altar and walked away.

Unknown to Cain, Abel, his brother, had observed the scene. Cain was angry, His frustration was obvious. "Cain," Abel, called gently, "Take one of my lambs and offer it, to God, as a sacrifice." "Keep your lamb, what kind of a God would reject this offering, this fruit of my hard work." Cain roared.

Quietly, Abel erected an altar and sacrificed a lamb. Instantly, flames leaping from the sky attacked the sacrificed animal, the fire roared and the blaze consumed the sacrifice. Cain was furious—God had rejected his labor. Picking up the closest object, the enraged Cain hurled the missile at Abel. Venting his fury, he pounded Abel's body with his fist. His anger spent, Cain looked at his brother's strangely silent form. Abel was dead. Cain had murdered his brother.