2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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WHY WAS CAIN’S OFFERING NOT ACCEPTED?
OCT 27
Genesis 4:1-7
Memorise Hebrews 11:4 "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice…"
WHY WAS CAIN’S OFFERING NOT ACCEPTED?
Cain and Abel were the first two children to be born into the world, and together with their parents, were the first family to have lived. At the time of the account in Genesis 4, they would have been at least in their late teens, or early twenties as both Cain and Abel had professions by then. Both of them were farmers, with Abel as a keeper of sheep, dealing with livestock, whilst Cain was a tiller of the ground, dealing with agriculture.
There came a day where they had to bring an offering unto the Lord. This was probably not the first time, as they would have been bringing regular offerings and sacrifices unto the Lord, as taught by their parents. They would have known that what God requires is a blood sacrifice through the killing of animals. However, this time, Cain decided to bring the fruit of the ground, probably the produce of his fields, whilst Abel brought the firstlings of his flock. Perhaps it was because he resented the situation, that he would have to trade his produce to acquire the animal for sacrifice; or maybe it was because he thought that God should accept the fruit of his labour, and not need to bring an animal. Either way, the Lord was certainly not pleased with his offering, for the Bible tell us "the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect" (Genesis 4:4-5). Cain was angry with the situation. But God’s counter argument to him was very wise. He told him simply that if Cain had offered the right sacrifice, it would have been accepted. However, he had allowed sin to enter into his heart, to rule over him, to control his actions. Thus we realize that behind the wrong offering, was a sinful heart. Cain in his pride had thought to approach God on his own terms. Unlike his brother Abel, he did not offer up a sacrifice by faith (Hebrews 11:4). Instead, it was out of his own selfish convenience, thinking that what was good for him should be good enough for God. Even when rebuked, Cain refused to repent, but continued to insist that he had done no wrong.
How many of us have committed this same sin of Cain, in trying to approach God on our own terms, insist that He accepts us in our sin? How often has sin been pointed out to us, but yet we refuse to repent, and become angry instead? Be careful that you do not go in the "way of Cain", for the Bible warns us "woe unto you!" (Jude 11).
Thought: Is it fair for God to punish sin?
Prayer: Lord, may my life and all I do always be acceptable to Thee.
Posted in Teens RPG
Genesis 4:1-7
Memorise Hebrews 11:4 "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice…"
WHY WAS CAIN’S OFFERING NOT ACCEPTED?
Cain and Abel were the first two children to be born into the world, and together with their parents, were the first family to have lived. At the time of the account in Genesis 4, they would have been at least in their late teens, or early twenties as both Cain and Abel had professions by then. Both of them were farmers, with Abel as a keeper of sheep, dealing with livestock, whilst Cain was a tiller of the ground, dealing with agriculture.
There came a day where they had to bring an offering unto the Lord. This was probably not the first time, as they would have been bringing regular offerings and sacrifices unto the Lord, as taught by their parents. They would have known that what God requires is a blood sacrifice through the killing of animals. However, this time, Cain decided to bring the fruit of the ground, probably the produce of his fields, whilst Abel brought the firstlings of his flock. Perhaps it was because he resented the situation, that he would have to trade his produce to acquire the animal for sacrifice; or maybe it was because he thought that God should accept the fruit of his labour, and not need to bring an animal. Either way, the Lord was certainly not pleased with his offering, for the Bible tell us "the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect" (Genesis 4:4-5). Cain was angry with the situation. But God’s counter argument to him was very wise. He told him simply that if Cain had offered the right sacrifice, it would have been accepted. However, he had allowed sin to enter into his heart, to rule over him, to control his actions. Thus we realize that behind the wrong offering, was a sinful heart. Cain in his pride had thought to approach God on his own terms. Unlike his brother Abel, he did not offer up a sacrifice by faith (Hebrews 11:4). Instead, it was out of his own selfish convenience, thinking that what was good for him should be good enough for God. Even when rebuked, Cain refused to repent, but continued to insist that he had done no wrong.
How many of us have committed this same sin of Cain, in trying to approach God on our own terms, insist that He accepts us in our sin? How often has sin been pointed out to us, but yet we refuse to repent, and become angry instead? Be careful that you do not go in the "way of Cain", for the Bible warns us "woe unto you!" (Jude 11).
Thought: Is it fair for God to punish sin?
Prayer: Lord, may my life and all I do always be acceptable to Thee.
Posted in Teens RPG