GLEANINGS - GenesisSample

Why did God accept the sacrifice of Abel and reject the sacrifice of Cain?

1. It was not about an animal sacrifice or a plant sacrifice.

God has nothing against offerings from the ground since Lev 2 is about how to prepare offerings from the ground! (Lev. 2:1)

2. The type of offering described in Lev 2 was known as minkhahin Hebrew. The Hebrew word minkhahis defined as a gift, present, thanksgiving, veneration, or homage.

In Gen 4:3-5, both Cain and Abel’s offering was aminkhah. Cain’sminkhahwas from the ground and Abel’s from the flock. (Gen. 4:4–5 )

3. The minkhah was a kind of offering meant to be an expression of gratitude to God. Gifts and presents are for those we feel love and devotion for and want to express our emotions or gratitude by giving to them. If the present isn’t from the heart then it is an empty gesture.

4. The problem with Cain’s offering wasn’t what he offered; it was the attitude with which it was offered. We know that God looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). There was something in Cain’s motivation and heart attitude, and possibly something in his performance, that made his offering unacceptable to God. It was obviously something that he was aware of and could remedy since God tells him after the fact, “You will be accepted if you do what is right” (Genesis 4:7).

5. Hebrews 11:4. It says, “By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts.” This explains why Abel had the “more acceptable sacrifice” than Cain by identifying the reason for this offering––faith.

Abel freely gave his best to God in faith that God “exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Heb 11:6).

Abel first offered himself and then brought the best and most expensive portion to God. God is pleased with a pure heart. Cain’s heart was not pure as we read in Jude 1:11, “They have taken the way of Cain” a description that refers to lawless men.

Cain’s heart was not right before the Lord, and his offering was not in faith as was his brother’s. Therefore, God rejected his gift.

APPLICATION QUESTION:

Are you giving your best to God or your leftovers?

QUOTE:

We ought not to be looking for a place to hide, but a place to give ourselves as an offering to God. A.W. Tozer

PRAYER:

Lord, help me to have the right heart attitude when I give my time, talents, treasure, and even my life to You. Amen