Like most people you probably heard the story of Cain and Abel. Most likely too you also heard that Cain's offering was rejected because it was produce and Abel's was accepted because it was meat. For years I've heard this from many bible teachers and preachers, and always accepted it at face value. However it never made sense to me.
I wanted to examine this a little more in depth, so I did a word search for every verse that came up on Cain and Abel. As I read, I had a eureka moment, so I wanted to share this. Let's go to the text:
Genesis 4:1-9 say's,
Now this is what we find in Genesis, and usually all we hear ever taught about Cain & Abel. Of course we know a curse is put upon Cain, and his brother Seth is later born. If this was all we had to go on then it would be sad, but I'm thankful that the writer of Hebrews gives us more insight.
Hebrews 11:4 say's,
An important thing to note is that this passage in Hebrews 11 is known as the Hall of Faith. All of the men mentioned here are being commended as examples of those who wanted to please God, and to do so came to him in Faith. Further down in the next 2 verses we also read...
Hebrews 11:5-6,
A couple of important things to point out here gives us a little more context to Cain and Abel's story. In verse 5 we see that Enoch pleased God and God took him, meaning this man didn't die, but went straight into God's presence. In verse 6 we see that it is impossible to please God without faith.
Given the context being of "Coming to God in Faith" is here and we see also that in verse 4 it say's, "By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain" I think it is a safe deduction that Cain and Abel's physical sacrifice they made had nothing to do with whether it was accepted or rejected by God. What mattered was what was in their hearts as they came to God. Abel had faith, and Cain didn't.
I think too if we look again in Genesis we see further evidence of this for when God rejected Cain's offering, instead of being repentant, he became jealous and killed his brother. Another sign of a poor attitude was when God asked him where his brother was (as if God didn't already know). Cain's reply was, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Not only did he lie to God, but he even chose to dare ask God a foolish question. This is only further proof that his heart wasn't in the right place and that his problem was a lack of faith during the time of his offering.
In other words, we can drop the idea that Cain should have shopped in the meat department instead of the produce aisle. Both offerings would have been acceptable if brought in to God in Faith and with a sincere heart worshiping God. Besides, grain (or meal) offerings were accepted in the Bible. (Leviticus 2:1-16; 6:14-18; 7:9-10; 10:12-13)
It seems again it is as always "a matter of the heart" with God. The widow and her 2 mites was more valuable than all of the gold laying on the alter, and it is sad to think that some preachers are still teaching that God preferred meat over produce.
I wanted to examine this a little more in depth, so I did a word search for every verse that came up on Cain and Abel. As I read, I had a eureka moment, so I wanted to share this. Let's go to the text:
Genesis 4:1-9 say's,
1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the LORD.” 2 Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.6 So the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” 8 Now 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 killed him. 9 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Now this is what we find in Genesis, and usually all we hear ever taught about Cain & Abel. Of course we know a curse is put upon Cain, and his brother Seth is later born. If this was all we had to go on then it would be sad, but I'm thankful that the writer of Hebrews gives us more insight.
Hebrews 11:4 say's,
By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.
An important thing to note is that this passage in Hebrews 11 is known as the Hall of Faith. All of the men mentioned here are being commended as examples of those who wanted to please God, and to do so came to him in Faith. Further down in the next 2 verses we also read...
Hebrews 11:5-6,
5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death,“and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
A couple of important things to point out here gives us a little more context to Cain and Abel's story. In verse 5 we see that Enoch pleased God and God took him, meaning this man didn't die, but went straight into God's presence. In verse 6 we see that it is impossible to please God without faith.
Given the context being of "Coming to God in Faith" is here and we see also that in verse 4 it say's, "By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain" I think it is a safe deduction that Cain and Abel's physical sacrifice they made had nothing to do with whether it was accepted or rejected by God. What mattered was what was in their hearts as they came to God. Abel had faith, and Cain didn't.
I think too if we look again in Genesis we see further evidence of this for when God rejected Cain's offering, instead of being repentant, he became jealous and killed his brother. Another sign of a poor attitude was when God asked him where his brother was (as if God didn't already know). Cain's reply was, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Not only did he lie to God, but he even chose to dare ask God a foolish question. This is only further proof that his heart wasn't in the right place and that his problem was a lack of faith during the time of his offering.
In other words, we can drop the idea that Cain should have shopped in the meat department instead of the produce aisle. Both offerings would have been acceptable if brought in to God in Faith and with a sincere heart worshiping God. Besides, grain (or meal) offerings were accepted in the Bible. (Leviticus 2:1-16; 6:14-18; 7:9-10; 10:12-13)
It seems again it is as always "a matter of the heart" with God. The widow and her 2 mites was more valuable than all of the gold laying on the alter, and it is sad to think that some preachers are still teaching that God preferred meat over produce.
