Genesis 4:3-5

Genesis 4:3-5

And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.

And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and his offering:

But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect.

1. “…And the LORD had respect unto Abel and his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect.”

a. Why did God accept Abel’s offering and not Cain’s offering?

1). Hebrews 11:4 “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts:…”

2). The “faith” in Hebrew 11:4 speaks of previous instruction. Romans 10:17 says “So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” They had been previously instructed on how to offer an appropriate sacrifice. This was not just a normal offering, it was a sin offering because through it, Abel “obtained witness that he was righteous.” Hebrews 11:4.

b. Cain choice not to do it according to God’s instruction was a result of his spiritual lineage. Cain was a child of the devil.

1). 1 John 3:12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

c. Although there was no one born again at this time because the new birth did not come into being until the death and resurrection of Christ, there was still a separation between children of the devil and those in right standing with God, provided by the blood covenant. The verse in 1 John not only reflects the difference between the behaviors of Can and Abel as evil and righteous. It also shows that Cain’s offering was evil. Cain was rejecting the blood covenant.

d. The Book of Jude is a warning to the church of false teachers within its ranks. It warns against various sins by mentioning individuals associated with those sins. One of those mentioned is Cain.

1). Jude 10, 11 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain…”

e. Under the Mosaic Covenant giving and offering “of the fruit of the ground” is fine for offering the First fruits, Deuteronomy 26:1-11; or the Tithe: Leviticus 27:30, but not for a sin offering.

1). Hebrews 9:22 “…without shedding of blood there is no remission.”