Hearts Matter: Genesis 4:1-5
God wants relationship built on trust and love, not obligation. Can you blame him? How many of us want relationships of obligation? Isn’t it better to have friends who want to be with you than friends who would rather be doing something else but feel obligated to be with you?
Looking at the story of Cain and Abel, we see the first image of worship. Cain and Abel both bring a sacrifice to God. God and Cain have an exchange of words. Even though the first family is tossed out of Eden, God still dwells among them. God still walks with them even though they are no longer in Eden.
Cain brings a sacrifice of the fruit of the ground. He was a farmer. Cain brought the fruit of his labor to present to God.
Abel brings forth some of his labor. Since Abel was a herdsman, he brought one of the firstborn. Abel sacrifices the animal and makes sure the fat is included.
God regarded Abel’s sacrifice well. God did not regard Cain’s sacrifice at all. What went wrong with Cain’s sacrifice?
Some teach that Abel’s sacrifice was accepted because it was an animal sacrifice rather than one of fruits and vegetables. I have great doubt in this explanation. Genesis does not indicate this is a sacrifice for atonement. As a generic offering to God, there is no requirement for shedding blood. Furthermore, Hebrew Law provides opportunities to present God sacrifices of the ground. Leviticus 2 is devoted to grain offerings specifically and Leviticus 23:9-22 is devoted to the practice of firstfruit offerings. There is biblical precedence for God appreciating offerings not requiring blood.
There is an understanding to reach if we are careful. Cain brought his offering of some fruit in the due course of time. Abel gave of the firstborn. Cain brought his offering when he felt like it; Abel brought it as soon as he could. Cain brought an offering out of his surplus; Abel brought his offering before he had anything to replace it with. Cain checked off the box dutifully; Abel wanted to please the Lord.
The contents of sacrifice didn’t have much to do with how God responded. Rather, God responds to the motivation behind the sacrifice. The author of Hebrews appears to agree with this assessment. In Hebrews 11:4, we hear a commendation of Abel’s sacrifice because it was offered by faith. Abel gave God the firstborn of his flock; He trusted God to produce more later. Cain gave out of what he had, there was no need to have faith in God for the future.
God receives our sacrifice so long as we give with the right intention. He has given us everything we have, why would He not be happy with anything we return to Him? The problem isn’t what Cain gives, it is how He gave it. God wants relationship built on trust and love, not on obligation.
