In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.” Genesis 4:3-7 (NIV)
The first event of human violence was caused by selfishness. Abel brought “the best of the best” of his flock and offered it to God in faith. While Cain simply brought “some of the fruits of the soil.” Obviously, Adam and Eve had taught the boys to worship God, but only one of them caught the true spirit of God-worship. Consider carefully that what they brought was not the issue. Rather, how they came before God (i.e., the attitude with which they came) was paramount in God’s mind. Certainly God had requirements for worshipping in his divine presence. This story, along with Hebrews 11:4, shows what the two-fold requirement was: bring the best and offer it in faith.
For whatever reason, Cain must have thought that it didn’t matter to God as long as one came and worshipped. He soon discovered how wrong that perspective is. God’s look at the two sacrifices told Cain that his was not acceptable. God noted Cain’s frown at being rejected and said to him, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?” Of course, the answer is, Yes! you will be accepted by doing what is right. The key here is to do what is right. So, who says what is right? God does, and only God. Cain, however, had set his own standard of right worship.
We can only draw conclusions from the story as related by Moses. Perhaps Cain felt that God’s standard was too high. Perhaps he thought it was too rigid. Perhaps he thought that something was better than nothing. In any case, God’s standard was what was acceptable to God and nothing less would be acceptable.
Like Abel, we can follow God’s requirement and be accepted. Or, like Cain, we can reject God’s requirement and be rejected by Him. As it did with them, the choice shows our attitude. God’s way or my way? This is the question.
Dear Father, thank you for your way to eternal life. Grant that we may confront our selfish ways and submit to yours. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today as you submit to God’s way,