Cain & Abel: The Mystery Of The Two Offerings

This wouldn’t be a puzzle at all if Cain appeared before the Lord empty handed or if he didn’t show up at all. But the twist is that, in the course of time Cain also brought an offering to the Lord just like Abel. He believes in God, he even recognize the need for man to approach God. Cain was not an irreligious man but he performed his duty.

Genesis 4: 2-5

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.

Isn’t it strange? They both bring offerings to the Lord. But God doesn’t look at Cain’s offering with favor. On the surface it looks as if the Lord was partial, unjust and unfair for looking at only one brother’s offering. But why? Is there a deeper meaning to this rejection? It’s time to dig deeper into the Word of God, search for the clues and investigate this case thoroughly to unearth the truth about Cain and Abel’s character, motives and their actions.

1. SOMETHING VS. THE RIGHT THING

In Genesis 4:7 we get to a GOLDEN KEY for solving this case. Lord says to Cain in Genesis 4:7, 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.”

The key word here is “RIGHT” in Hebrew YATAB (?????), it also carries the meanings “GOOD, WELL, GLAD, OR PLEASING.” It is evident from the question God asks Cain that he knew what was the right offering but he fails to offer the right offering. On the other hand Abel offers the right offering and his offering is accepted by the Lord.

ABEL BROUGHT “THE RIGHT OFFERING” TO THE LORD, AN OFFERING PLEASING TO THE EYES OF GOD, ACCORDING TO THE STANDARD AND WILL OF GOD.

CAIN ALSO BROUGHT AN OFFERING BUT IT WAS “NOT THE RIGHT OFFERING” IT WAS PLEASING IN THE EYES OF CAIN BUT ACCORDING TO THE STANDARD AND WILL OF GOD IT WAS NOT THE RIGHT OFFERING.

Point to Ponder

Do we pay attention to what the Lord require from us?

Are we interested in knowing His side of the story, what is pleasing in the eyes of God?

Are we interested in seeking the right thing according to the will of God (seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness) ? Or are we satisfied with doing something for the Lord?

2. OBEDIENCE VS. DISOBEDIENCE

How did Cain and Abel know to offer the right sacrifice? It is evident that the Lord had already given them the RIGHT INSTRUCTIONS regarding the offerings. You remember even in their parent’s (Adam & Eve’s) case, God gave them specific instructions regarding the tree of the knowledge of Good & Evil. But it was their own decision to make the right choice using their FREE WILL as the Lord had given them the authority to choose for themselves.

So what are their choices?

ABEL CHOOSE TO OBEY AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTION GIVEN BY GOD

(WORD OF GOD) BUT CAIN CHOOSE TO DISOBEY AND NEGLECT THE INSTRUCTION GIVEN BY GOD (WORD OF GOD)

Point to Ponder

The same principle applies even at present. According to a recent research more than 80% of regular church goers don’t read and study the bible. Word of God clearly says that “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God” Roman 10:17. How do we keep walking in faith if we don’t read and listen to the Word of God?

In this age there are numerous spiritual activities, socializing activities in the Church and they sometimes replace the time and passion for the word of God. We cannot worship God without the truth in our hearts. “the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in TRUTH.” John 4:23

What is my choice today, do I choose the Word of God?

Joshua 1:8

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

3. THE WAY OF GOD VS. THE WAY OF CAIN

Jude 1:11 says, “Woe unto them! for they have gone in THE WAY OF CAIN”

What is this “WAY OF CAIN?”

John 14:6 says, “I AM THE WAY, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me”