stupidity always go hand in hand, finds unvarying application. If Cain
had been as wise as he was wicked, he would have excused himself in
quite a different manner. Now, under the operation of the divine rule
that wickedness and stupidity are running mates, he becomes his own
accuser. The same principle operates in favor of the truth, and makes
her defense against all adversaries easy. Just as Cain betrayed by
word and mien his indifference and hate toward his brother, so all
adversaries of the truth betray their wickedness, the one in this way,
the other in that.

135. Facts of importance and apt for instruction are, therefore, here
set before us. And their general import is that God does not permit
hypocrites to remain hidden for any length of time, but compels them
to betray themselves just when they make shrewd efforts to hide their
hypocrisy and crime.

136. Moses does not exhibit in his narrative the verbose diction
characteristic of pagan literature, where we often find one and the
same argument embellished and polished by a variety of colors. We find
by experience that no human power of description can do justice to
inward emotions. In consequence, verbosity, as a rule, comes short of
expressing emotion. Moses employs the opposite method, and clothes a
great variety of arguments in scant phraseology.

137. Above the historian used the expression, "when they were in the
field." Thereby Moses indicates that the murderer Cain had watched his
opportunity to attack his brother when both were alone. All the
circumstances plainly show that Abel was not idle at the time; for he
was in the field, where he had to do the things his father committed
to him. From Moses' statement we may infer that Abel's parents felt
absolutely no fear of danger. For, although at the outset they had
feared that the wrath of Cain would eventually break out into still
greater sin, Cain, by his gentleness and pretended affection,
prevented all suspicion of evil on the part of his parents. For had
there been the least trace of apprehension, they certainly would not
have permitted Abel to go from their presence alone. They would have
sent his sisters with him as companions; for he no doubt had some. Or
his parents themselves would have prevented by their presence and
authority the perpetration of so great a crime. As already stated,
also the mind of Abel was perfectly free from suspicion. For, had he
suspected the least evil at the hand of hi