The speech or rather song of Lamech to his two wives (4: 23, 24) must be assumed to have a close connection with the occupation and skill of Tubal-Cain, “a workman in brass and iron.” Consciously strong and boldly overbearing in view of this new invention and production of death-weapons, he proudly sings: “I have slain (or could slay) a man for wounding me――a young man――for any hurt inflicted upon me; and” (there being in this case some real provocation; Cain had none) “if Cain would be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and seven.” The lenity shown to Cain was bringing forth its fruits; the invention of improved death-weapons was also contributing to fill the earth with bloody violence.――――These little facts indicate the state of society which culminated in so filling the earth with violence that God was compelled to wash out its blood-stains and its degenerate race with the flood. * * * * * 2. _Abel’s offering, and the origin of sacrifices._ Abel kept sheep; Cain tilled the ground. “In process of time” (Heb. “at the end of days”)――the stated time for worshiping God with offerings――Cain “brought of the fruit of the ground”――an unbloody offering: Abel “brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat.” The reference to their “fat” proves that these animals, lambs of the fold, were slain in sacrifice.――――The record informs us that God looked with favor upon Abel’s offering, but not upon Cain’s. It does not concern us to know _how_ God signified his approval of Abel’s sacrifice, whether by fire from heaven consuming it, or otherwise; but it does concern us to ascertain if we can _why_ he approved it.