The offering of Cain and Abel

 

Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Gen 4:2-5

 

Why did God looked with favor on Abel’s offering vs that of Cains?

 

Some people belief God likes animal sacrifice more than that of produces. So God looked with favor on Abel’s offering. But can this be the determining factor? Some people belief the “fat offering of the flock” maybe a type and shadow of the ultimate lamb, so maybe God favored this more than the fruits offering to demonstrate a point? These can be true, and yet if were to be the only reasons, it limits our perspective as to what God desires, because if it is true, instead of just giving money as an offering, we should incorporate some sort of animal sacrifice and more preferably lamb sacrifice as God looks with favor on this type of offering. And God doesn’t change.

 

We also see the bible talking about God delights in obedience over sacrifices, that it is better to obey than sacrifice.

 

“Has the Lord as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
As in obedience to the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed [is better] than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22

 

Maybe Abel obeyed God, where as Cain didn’t? That maybe true, but this is in the beginning of time just after the fall. Apart from the initial command to not eat the fruit of knowledge of good and evil, there was no other recorded command to obey to. There was not even a command on offering.

 

In Gen 4:2, we see that Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. So as a profession, one grew produce, and one raised flocks. So in context you would think, giving something that they were making would be the right and the fair thing to do. What I am trying to say is, on the flip side, it would be not logical for God to desire of us something that we do not have access to, to give. Ie demand Cain to give his some flocks where he doesn’t have, or Abel to give some fruits which he doesn’t have. So it would be unfair of God to condemn Cain’s offering because it was produce.

 

So what was wrong with Cain’s offering?

6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” Gen 4:6

 

“If you do what is right?” is quite a strong statement, What was Cain doing that was wrong? Why was his offering not accepted, and why was Abel’s offering accepted? What did Abel do right?

 

In Genesis, we were unable to find the answer as to this. However the answer was given in Hebrews.

 

By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. Hebrews 11:4

 

Abel, approached God with an offering that was in faith. Where as Cain’s offering was not offered in faith. So if we look at Hebrews, we see that, it is not about what you offer, but it is about if you did it in Faith.

 

But the question is what does it mean we offered in faith? In faith of what? And in faith to do what?

 

This comes back to the reason of an offering. Why did they offer part of their produce or flock to God? What is the reason for doing so? There was no law to do it, there was no suggestion that God required it or even desired it. The offering was something they did as part of their communion with God, it was an expression of worship. Cain and Abel, both worshipped God because that was the right thing to do. Knowing how great God is, they had an understanding that they had an innate need to do something to recognize how great God is.

 

However, Cain did it out of a heart of duty and obligation, God is great, so there is a need to worship God. So out of obligation and motion Cain responded to that greatness.

 

And Abel on the other hand, offered not out of obligations, but he did it to bless God, God is great, so I am believing that what I am giving to God, God will like it .

 

So God approved of Abel’s offering, because Abel believed that God will like what he gives.

Whereas Cain was indifferent to if what he gave was pleasing to God, but he did it because he felt a need to do it.

 

The difference is Abel’s response was a relational one to God, where as Cain’s response was a mechanical one. Both of them knew God is great, and they were in need to express that.  But God condemn Cain to be wrong in how he related to God, and accepted Abel in how he related to God.

 

 

So how does this impact our giving?

When we give, bless our giving, and believe that God is so pleased with whatever we are giving him.  That he is well pleased with whatever it is we are giving him, may this be money, a cent or a billion, our time to serve, or anything that you set aside, separated for God. If you are offering in faith that he likes it. He is well pleased with that! Live life as a constant offering, dedicating and separating your life as an offering that pleases God, As you put faith in your life offering, may you do well or not, God is pleased with you. He is not looking at the lean or fat of the lamb, he is looking to your heart.