Why did God reject Cain's offering?
Verse 7 says, "Gen 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door." So God was saying that Cain had not done well. Although the timing or the content of Cain's offering (I have heard both given as explanations for its rejection) may be clues, the ultimate problem was in Cain's heart. God's rejection of the offering served to expose Cain's problem: he did not love his brother, Abel, but was jealous of him.
Forgive me for chipping in but I also love listening to what God wants to tell me when I read His word, so I find this blog very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI did not get this directly from God (I do hope you understand what I mean with that) but it also makes good sense to me: Cain's offering came from the soil. Remember that God cursed the soil a few chapters earlier. Abel's offering was a blood offering (a type of Christ's offering, His blood). I would love to hear what you think of this.
I believe I understand what you are saying; it is what I was referring to when I mentioned that the content of Cain's offering, meaning that it was the fruit of the ground, is thought by some to be the reason God refused it. I don't accept this in itself, because then, since God doesn't change, NO offering of the fruit of the ground would be acceptable. Yet God commanded that grain products be offered with many of the animals which were sacrificed.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the condition of one's heart is what matters before God, not the externals. So coming before Him with a pure heart is what makes the offering acceptable, not the character of the offering itself. Remember the Pharisee who was so proud of his obedience to the law versus the tax collector who couldn't even look up, but begged for mercy, and which one Jesus commended.
Well, I think I could have said some of this better, but it is why I believe what I do in this small issue. You are welcome to disagree, as long as you do so agreeably! :-)
Oh dear, I did not mean to disagree, I only meant to mention another metaphorical perspective.
ReplyDeletehi dimple...i have been reading here in your blog and really enjoying it. i thought maybe i should start at the beginning!
ReplyDeletei have always liked the story of cain and abel.
what i have seen is that cain by offering the fruit to god was trying by his good works[the works of his hand] to please god but god being god requires the blood to cleanse us from sin.
abel did just that when he sacrifised his animal.
after that he has cleaned us, the lord will surely appreciate any sacrifice that we can give him...in thanksgiving.
Cain had missed the first important step.
Not the labors of my hands
can fulfill thy law's commands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
simply to the cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress;
helpless, look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly;
wash me, Savior, or I die.
oh the free gift of eternal life!..how can we help but praise him!
Hebrews 13:15
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
i am so glad i found your bible blog dimple love terry
Hi Terry,
ReplyDeleteThat is an interesting thought...
good morning dimple.
ReplyDeletei was just wondering...could i put your link on my favourite links?
let me know..ok?
i have seen many blogs with bible but your posts are scripture orientated and with king james [and i love that!] and your thoughts come right to the point and in such a small space of reading!..........love terry
dear dimple..thank you for your comment on my blog...i am coming to an earlier post of yours because i just want to tell you that you are a friend too. i cannot thank you enough for the encouragement that you are giving to sonny[reg].
ReplyDeletei think that he is a boy that is seeking and i am glad that you comment on his posts.
i used to baby-sit sonny and his several brothers and sisters when we lived out west and dad golden and his dad were in the air force together....thanks for everything dimple...love terry