What do you think God would have said if he decided to answer Cain's question. Yes or no? Remember the preceding events leading up to God's confrontation with Cain? Abel's offering was acceptable to God and Cain's was not. Why? When Cain was corrected by God he was angry and his countenance fell, but keep in mind that God gave the opportunity to Cain for repentance in verse 5 and 6. This attitude problem speaks volumes of Cain's character. Think about it. When we are forced to come to terms with our shortcomings, sin, or lack of love for God and our brothers how do we react? Do we ignore it, get mad, or turn away from our sin and poor attitude?
Now let's look at a few reasons that are typically considered for Abel's offering being acceptable.
1. Abel may have been obedient by offering an animal (4:4) rather than veggies. We see that God clothed Adam and Eve in animal skins after The Fall in Genesis 3:21. Perhaps Abel was being obedient to God's will revealed to him, and Cain was not. (This is just an inference.)
2. Another consideration is the quality of
the offering of Abel, who gave from his livestock "the fat of their portions" (4:4). In other
words, Abel brought God the best he had, not parts he didn't want for
himself.
3. Third, Abel gave God the "first
fruits" of his flock. The King James Version says that he "brought of
the firstlings of his flock." The phrase means that Abel brought the
firstborn of the animals. This means that Abel didn't wait for more animals to be born and give one to God out of his excess. By doing so Abel was saying to God, "I trust you to provide for me in the
future." That sounds like faith. In fact Hebrews 11:4 says "by faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain." God, if I give you the first hour of my
day, I trust you will meet my needs in the remainder of the day. If I give to
someone in need before I pay my bills, or pad my savings account, I trust that
you will provide. If I surrender my life to Jesus Christ, I trust that He alone has
provided my righteousness and inheretance. The Bible tells us
over and over that "the just shall live by faith" (Romans 10:17;
Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38).
Now back to Cain. Is he really his brother's keeper? In other words am I supposed to be protecting, guarding, and preventing my brother (or sister) from harm when possible? Well, in a sense ABSOLUTELY YES! 1 John 4:12 says "If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen." Think about this for a second. STOP. Think about it. Cain revealed his lack of love for God in his lack of love for his brother. In fact he hated him so badly that he murdered him. How is your relationship with others? With your brother? Sister? Mother? Father? Friends? Enemies? Do they reflect a love for God?
Spend some time with God. Confess the areas where you are falling short. Are you being obedient like Abel? Are you living by faith, trusting God for your righteousness in Jesus and with your life on this earth? Or are you trying to earn your way to God, getting angry with others? Confess your shortcomings. He can change our hearts. He alone.
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean Heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Ezekiel 11:19, 36:26; Jeremiah 24:7; Romans 2:29, 5:5, 12:2
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