Bible Discussion Thread

But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. I can't understand why God had no respect to Cains offering. He was the first to offer something. Was it rotten? He didn't have to kill a poor innocent animal. Being raised on a Farm myself, we ate eggs from chic kens and mick from our cow. Well we did eat chickens but we would never eat our cow.

Stanjett,

On a purely Scriptural basis;

Cain "brought of the fruit of the ground an offering to the LORD."

Abel "he also brought of the FIRSTLINGS of his flock AND OF THE FAT THEREOF."

Cain brought an offering that was average and common; as though he didn't care.

Abel brought an offering full of love and respect.

This has always been an intriguing portion of Scripture & you may get other views. But I consider Gen 4:2-7 & Heb 11:4 together. Both Cain & Abel brought their sacrifices to the Lord as an offering (maybe a freewill or thanksgiving offering). But the Lord only had "respect unto Abel & his offering'.

I detect that it was both the type of offering & the type of heart of the giver that comes to question. They were still largely vegetarians in those days, I would think, however, the killing of animals for their skins as garments, would have been necessary. It is also plausible that prior to using the skins, that Abel & maybe their parents, also offered up a 'blood' offering to the Lord, maybe for sin (an instruction from God prior to the giving of the Law?) or as thanksgiving.

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: and by it he being dead yet speaketh." Here we read that Abel made it to the Hall of Faith Heroes by reason of 'faith' unlike Cain. So here too, I see that a heart preparedness of Abel with his 'excellent' (acceptable) sacrifice of the "firstlings of his flock & of the fat thereof" engendered him & his sacrifice acceptable to the Lord. Whereas Cain came not in full measure of faith & thankfulness, & maybe for necessity's sake & an impure heart.

I see a correlation to us, as we meet around the Lord's Table & as the Scripture asks us to "examine ourselves" first before coming & partaking. Maybe, Cain needed to do some serious introspection & considering his offering before approaching the Lord. But these are simply my thoughts for your consideration that I wouldn't compel upon you or anyone, as Scripture doesn't clearly give us all the details.

Scripture doesn't clearly give us all the details. That's for sure. One of the questions I will be asking God when I see Him face to face.