CAIN NOR HIS OFFERING WAS ACCEPTABLE TO GOD

CAIN NOR HIS OFFERING WAS ACCEPTABLE TO GOD

 As it is told in Genesis chapter four

Cain was a tiller of the ground, and

Abel was a keeper of sheep.

And

in the process of time...

What we see here is that a process is taking place.

A process is gradual changes that lead toward a particular condition, or event traceable to a cause. The question is begging, what event was to take place at this particular point in time, that God causes to be? The answer being, Cain and Abel were to be determined if they were acceptable to the LORD. What was the determining factor by which they were to be judged? The offerings they brought unto Him.

Cain's offering was from the fruit of the ground.

Abel's offering was of the firstlings of his flock and the fat thereof. God had no respect for Cain or his offering. But God had respect for Abel and his offering.

Why was this the case?

First of all, let's examine the acceptable offering, then the unacceptable offering. Abel offered the firstlings of his flock and the fat thereof. It is obvious to me that in the process of time, Abel spent time with the LORD. Able knew to be pleasing in his sight he had to know what type of offering was required. He had to be instructed.

The firstling is the first of a class or kind, or the first produce or result of something. So Abel offered the first of his existing or newborn sheep. And not only that but he knew to offer the fat thereof. He knew what to offer, and in what manner the offering should be made.

On the other hand, Cain offered from the fruit of the ground. Now It doesn't take a stretch of the imagination to know what that could possibly mean. We do know it was not acceptable.

There is an acceptable offering that can be made from the fruit of the ground. It is called firstfruits. Firstfruits are the earliest gathered fruits offered to God in acknowledgment of the gift of fruitfulness. That would be the best of the best. Cain's offering was not referred to as firstfruits. So Cain did not acknowledge God and the best gift were not bestowed upon him. This is rebellion.

Why did Abel obey God and Cain did not? As you read on you will see that Cain never does.

God did not respect or have any appreciation for Cain's offering or him. The opposite of respect is the word abhors or despise. God abhorred his offering and him. God was not pleased at all. God was indignant, meaning He was angry because Cain was unfair, mean, outrageous or shameful. He and his offering was found not be to worthy of God's notice or consideration.

Cain in turn became intensely angry, highly incensed, and wrathful towards God, and his countenance fell. Now keep in mind this is God he is before. This was not a wise man for he did not fear the LORD. God instructed him that if he does well he will be accepted. He also told him that if he does not do well sin or perhaps Satan is at his door desiring him. He then instructs Cain to rule over sin if this happens.

So what does Cain do? He allows sin to rule over him. Cain talked with Abel, rose up against him, and killed his brother. So Cain was in rebellion against God and a murderer at this point.

The LORD confronted Cain once again. He asked him where is his brother Abel. Here we have Cain embattled once more against the all knowing LORD. What does Cain do? He lies to God! He said he did not know where his brother Abel was. He did not confess his sin. So here we have in order, Cain was rebellious, a murderer, and a liar. To top if off he tried to be evasive, deceptive, high minded, and acted as if he was superior to God.

OK, let me make it plain, Cain got smart with God.

He said to the LORD, "Am I my brother’s keeper?"

And here he is guilty as sin. So God curses Cain.

So what does Cain do? Does he repent? No. He complains about his punishment. The only time he does what God tells him to do is when God tells him to leave town, and only after God promises that he would not be killed because of what he did to Abel!

If you study your Bible you will find that Satan is described like that. You can see by this dialog that Cain's relationship with God is just the opposite of Abel's. If you are still not convinced, read the last two verses of the chapter, and you will find out more about the nature of Abel.

Adam and Eve had another son and they named him Seth. He was like Abel, appointed of God. She also bore a son they named Enos. All three of these men were leaders and men of God. Although Abel was killed, Seth and Enos lived on, and then men began to call upon the name of the LORD.

Cain represents the unsaved person described in Romans Chapter 3. They do not seek after God, they do not desire the things of God, they reject Him. Their father is the devil and they act like him. Abel represents the person who has received the gift of salvation, is now able to do the will of God who is his Father, and in the process of time being made perfect. 

Cain represents the seed of the serpent whereby Abel represents the seed of the woman.

God said there would be enmity between the two.