CAIN'S OFFERING

A COUPLE OF THOUGHTS ON WHY GOD DID NOT ACCEPT CAIN'S OFFERING (and one more thought).
(see passage at end of this post)

1. The Bible tells us that God did not accept Cain's offering. I believe (along with many other Christians) that the offering he made should have been a blood sacrifice. This seems to be indicated by the fact of the Messianic prophecy (Ge. 3:15) and the animal skins that God provided for Adam and Eve, in their nakedness, after they sinned (gE. 3:21). The Bible also tells us, "Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin" (He. 9:22).

We do not have a clear statement concerning this, but the evidence is strong. Remember too, Abel did bring a blood sacrifice. It could be that Cain did not see any need to make a blood sacrifice. Maybe he just rejected the idea altogether, or he was confident that his own works should be sufficient to please God. Whether or not this occasion had to do with a blood sacrifice, we can only speculate, but we do know it had to do with Cain's attitude problem.

2. Another indicator that Cain had a sinful attitude when he made his offering to God, is seen immediately afterwards, when he was angry with Abel. Cain's anger, after his offering was rejected by God, reveals that he did not have a right attitude when he made the offering. His anger was aimed at his brother. People often attack another person when they are not in a good relationship with God. If Cain had made his offering in a spirit of love and submission, then he would not have become angry with Abel. Being angry with Abel was not caused by Abel's action, but by Cain's attitude.

(also, 3.) Cain killed his brother. Most people do not physically murder another person, just because they are angry. However, anger is murder in the heart. Even if a physical attack does not take place, countless relationships are killed by the angry words, actions, and attitude of people who pride themselves on their worship of God. It makes sense to them that they can worship God with offerings, then turn around quickly and assassinate a fellow worshiper. They are no more bothered by spewing venom on another person than Cain was bothered by killing Abel.

Genesis 4:2-8
(2) And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
(3) And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
(4) And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
(5) But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
(6) And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
(7) If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
(8) And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.