Cain and Abel's offering

[breno785au]

I've always wondered why Abel's offering was respected by God but not Cains.

I do understand that with Abel's offering something had to die (sacrificed) is that where it's at?

There appears to be no text prior explaining that God explicitly commanded only the best animals are acceptable.

And I can see that both gave from where their work was, Cain cultivated, Abel shepherded.

We can see a slight parallel earlier where Adam and Eve used leaves to cover their shame but God sacrificed an animal for their clothes instead.

There would be a whole lot of symbology and whatever behind this one incident but I'm trying to dig into why it was unacceptable and Cains thought process at the time.

 

[Ariel82]

Cain offered the work of his hands from the Earth that was cursed because of sin.

Abel, a prophet of God, offered the blood of a lamb as a symbol of the future Lamb who would cover our sins and gone for us by His blood.

Lule 11: 50-51
50 Therefore this generation will be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the beginning of the world, 51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible for it all.

*****

 

[oldhermit]

Perhaps this will help.

The Sacrifices of Cain andAble.
A. “Inthe course of time.” Literally, “at the end of days.” What is theend of days suggested by the context? What would contextually mark the courseof time?

1.Popular options

a.The end of a seven day period.
b.The anniversary of the end of creation. The problem with both of these theoriesis that they cannot be arrived from the contents of the text.

2.The only temporal indicator offered by the text is that of the time of harvest.Thus, the course of time from one harvest to the next. We know this because ofthe type of sacrifice both men are offering. “And Abel was a keeper ofsheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in process of time it came topass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.And Abel, he ALSO brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fatthereof.”
3.Both men are offering the offering of first-fruits, one of the flock and one ofthe earth. Both are legitimate sacrifices. Cain, being a tiller of the groundnaturally offers the first-fruit of his crop. Being a keeper of the flock, Ableoffers his first-fruit of the flock. What implications can we generalize fromAble offering up the fat portions of his sacrifice?

a.That the offering of sacrifice had already been regulated by both time andprocedure.

*It was offered at the proper time - “at the end of days.”
* Thereis no separation of the fat from the sacrifice. It was offered up as a wholesacrifice.

b.That sacrifices were a matter of instruction. How did they know to offer thesesacrifices and how these sacrifices were to be offered in such a way that wouldbe acceptable to the Lord? This instruction had to be revealed instruction. Evenif they received the practice from their father Adam , these instructions still had to have been received from the Lord.
c.This is not their first sacrifice.
d.The possibility that other types of sacrifices were also being offered that didnot require the separation of the fat portions.

4.No indicators from the text that the sacrifice of Able had any connection toatonement or even contrition. In other words this is not a sin sacrifice.

a.There is no sprinkling of blood mentioned.
b.There is no removal of the intestines or the refuse mentioned.
Thisis a sacrifice of thanksgiving. Cain offered his first-fruits as a matter ofthanksgiving. This is the nature of any first-fruit offering. The text saysthat Able ALSO of his first. Both men are offering the same sacrifice. Why thenwas Cain's sacrifice not accepted? This rejection seems to stem from Cain'srelationship with his brother.

 

[Zmouth]

I've always wondered why Abel's offering was respected by God but not Cains.
.

Since the LORD God had drove man from the garden, then Abel and Cain would have been working in the field. And the field, which is described as being "thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; then it would have been a difficult environment to preserve the flock, much less fatten it. However, as written, "And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof."

And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: Genesis 4:4

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made.Gen 3:1

And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:Gen 3:14

And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died.
Gen 7:21-22

"...it is the food of the offering made by fire for a sweet savour: all the fat is the LORD's. Lev 3:16

However, how do you think that Abel was able to fatten the flock?

 

[Adstar]

I've always wondered why Abel's offering was respected by God but not Cains.

I do understand that with Abel's offering something had to die (sacrificed) is that where it's at?

There appears to be no text prior explaining that God explicitly commanded only the best animals are acceptable.

And I can see that both gave from where their work was, Cain cultivated, Abel shepherded.

We can see a slight parallel earlier where Adam and Eve used leaves to cover their shame but God sacrificed an animal for their clothes instead.

There would be a whole lot of symbology and whatever behind this one incident but I'm trying to dig into why it was unacceptable and Cains thought process at the time.

God reassured Cain that if he did well he would be approved..

The reason why His offering was not accepted was because God was establishing a symbolic representation of the final sacrifice that would be acceptable to God.. The Blood Scarface of the LORD Jesus Christ.. So Able sacrificed an animal thus it was a blood sacrifice .. while Cains offering was plant life thus it could not represent symbolically the future blood sacrifice that Jesus was going to be in the future..

Cains grave error was not offering the vegetables.. Cains grave error was to believe that his sacrifice was being rejected because God was rejecting him.. And that his brother Able was being accepted because his sacrifice was being accepted..

Gods acceptance and rejection of the sacrifices had nothing to do with the merit of either Cain or Able..

But God spoke to Cain to reassure him that all was well between him and God :::


Genesis 4: KJV
6 "And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? {7} If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him."



Cain remained angry and jealous of Able for no real reason but a perceived reason based on a false assumption..

 

[abcdef]

I've always wondered why Abel's offering was respected by God but not Cains.

Heb 11:4, "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous,....". Faith played a role.

Heb 11:6, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

When Adam and Eve left the garden they left the "presence" of God. They could not walk with Him as before. This type of knowledge of God was not known to Cain and Able who had not stood in the presence of God.

So you might say that they were required to have more faith than Adam who had seen God. Maybe a kind of faith that was new to the human souls. Maybe the same kind of faith that we have today. We have not seen Jesus, but we believe.

I do understand that with Abel's offering something had to die (sacrificed) is that where it's at?

Gen 1:7, "If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?....."

It doesn't say that Cain's offering would have been accepted if he had sacrificed a lamb also. It seems that it may not have been a factor in this specific instance, as there are no "laws" mentioned prior to this about sacrifices and their substance.

It may be that Cain's sacrifice would have been accepted if he would have had faith/love toward God and his brother.

We are justified by faith through Jesus, not through the works of law (animal sacrifice).

There appears to be no text prior explaining that God explicitly commanded only the best animals are acceptable.

How much do you love God and trust Him (Faith)? Enough to give Him your best? Enough to give Him your life?

And I can see that both gave from where their work was, Cain cultivated, Abel shepherded.

Adam had to till the ground for food after he left the garden. Cain was doing the same thing. Maybe Abel was more developed than Cain, as a man of faith.

Perhaps by Able adding to the role as a tiller, also being a shepherd, increased his "income" and was a better provider also.

We can see a slight parallel earlier where Adam and Eve used leaves to cover their shame but God sacrificed an animal for their clothes instead.

The sacrifice (Jesus, Holy Spirit) covered their nakedness (sins). Covered their ego selfishness, animal, flesh, fear, guilt, shame, worldly mindedness, adulterous hearts.

There would be a whole lot of symbology and whatever behind this one incident but I'm trying to dig into why it was unacceptable and Cains thought process at the time.

The world seen, the flesh, the animal, the darkness,......is always at war with the Spirit, the unseen world and the light.

Reason against chaos.

Why would any one kill their brother? Who they are supposed to love him and be his keeper? What "REASON"ING processes would he go through to make his decision? Would he take the love of God into the equation? Animals do not, lovers of God do, and place God at the beginning of the reasoning processes. Did Cain have God in his heart? Love in his heart?

This world, this flesh, these animals, without reason, without God, without love for God and their brother, chaos and darkness are in their minds, darkness and emptiness are in their souls, controlling them, causing them to loose control and rage against their brothers and sisters, without cause, without REASON.

This is the battle from the beginning, between reason and chaos, self control and animal reactions, darkness and light, love and void of love, Jesus and Satan.

No one can set them free but Jesus. Praise Jesus!

 

[Huckleberry]

I've always wondered why Abel's offering was respected by God but not Cains.

I do understand that with Abel's offering something had to die (sacrificed) is that where it's at?

There appears to be no text prior explaining that God explicitly commanded only the best animals are acceptable.

And I can see that both gave from where their work was, Cain cultivated, Abel shepherded.

We can see a slight parallel earlier where Adam and Eve used leaves to cover their shame but God sacrificed an animal for their clothes instead.

There would be a whole lot of symbology and whatever behind this one incident but I'm trying to dig into why it was unacceptable and Cains thought process at the time.

Abel's sacrifice was an animal, and not just any animal,
but a baby that he might well have helped deliver.
This innocent animal, presumably a lamb,
was being killed for his (Abel's) transgressions.
If we were required to do this, it might cause
us more circumspection in our daily lives.
Cain's offering was pathetic by comparison.

 

[Deade]

I have heard the theological inference that the sacrifice of Cain was rejected because of the cursed ground. I don't buy it. The scripture says Abel's sacrifice was the choice (fat) of his flock. Cain was a tiller of the ground, what else did he have to offer? I think Cain just begrudgingly gathered the determined amount not caring if it was his best. The wrong attitude was why the Lord rejected it. My thoughts anyway.

 

[Nehemiah6]

Cain was a tiller of the ground, what else did he have to offer?

That's hardly an excuse. His brother Abel had plenty of sheep. All he had to do is show Abel the proper attitude and politely ask for a lamb.

While we are not given the details of what God taught Adam and Eve after giving them coats of skins, or what Adam and Eve taught Cain and Abel regarding acceptable sacrifices to God, but it would appear that both brothers were aware the the significance of offering a lamb without blemish and shedding the blood of that lamb. All animal sacrifices prefigured the one great sacrifice of the Lamb of God on the Cross.

Since Abel's offering involved faith, it would appear that he had believed God about the meaning of this sacrifice, and therefore it was totally acceptable to God. Cain on the other hand may have already rebelled against God before he came to hate and murder his brother. So his offering was possibly an act of rebellion. We don't even know how -- or whether -- Satan was involved in corrupting Cain and instigating his hatred and his act of hatred.

 

[Shamah]

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Hebrews 11:4, “By belief, Heḇel offered to Yah a greater sacrifice offering than Qayin, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, Yah witnessing of his gifts. And through it, having died, he still speaks.”[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]1 John 3:12, “Not as Qayin who was of the wicked one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because his works were wicked but those of his brother were righteous.”[/FONT]




[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Why did Yah accept Able's offering and not Cain's? I believe it is because when one have sincere faith they will serve as Yah wants, rather than serving Yah as they want;

Genesis 4 WEB
“1, The man knew Eve his wife. She conceived, and gave birth to Cain, and said, “I have gotten a man with Yahweh’s help.
2, "Again she gave birth, to Cain’s brother Abel. Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
3, "As time passed, it happened that Cain brought an offering to Yahweh from the fruit of the ground.
4, "Abel also brought some of the firstborn of his flock and of its fat. Yahweh respected Abel and his offering,
5, "but he didn’t respect Cain and his offering. Cain was very angry, and the expression on his face fell.
6, "Yahweh said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why has the expression of your face fallen?
7, "If you do well, will it not be lifted up? If you don’t do well, sin crouches at the door. Its desire is for you, but you are to rule over it.”

They both did works, and one's works were accepted one's works were not accepted. The heart that truly loves Yah will do as Yah says.

Genesis 4 WEB
3, "As time passed, it happened that Cain brought an offering to Yahweh from the fruit of the ground.
4, "Abel also brought some of the firstborn of his flock and of its fat. Yahweh respected Abel and his offering,
5, "but he didn’t respect Cain and his offering.

Cain offered "from the fruit of the ground"
Abel "also brought some of the firstborn of his flock and of its fat" the word also there means he brought "firstborn of his flock and of its fat" and "fruit of the ground"

Now this shows us that offering "fruit of the ground" was not in iteself wrong, so what could be the difference?

Hebrews 11:4, “By belief, Heḇel offered to Yah a greater sacrifice offering than Qayin, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, Yah witnessing of his gifts. And through it, having died, he still speaks.”

1 John 3:12, “Not as Qayin who was of the wicked one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because his works were wicked but those of his brother were righteous.”

"By belief" and "works...of his brother (Abel) were righteous"

Why were they righteous? What is righteous?

Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to Yah has to believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him.”[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Hebrews 5:9, “And having been perfected, He became the Causer of everlasting salvation to all those obeying Him.”

Deuteronomy 6:25, "And it is righteousness for us when we guard to do all this command before [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]יהוה [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]our Strength, as He has commanded us.”

Psalm 119:172, “My tongue sings of Your word, For all Your commands are righteousness.”

Exodus 20:6, "But showing love to thousands who love Me by keeping My Laws."

1 John 5:17, "All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not unto death."

1 John 3:4, "Whoever commits sin, transgresses also the Law; for sin is the transgression of the Law."

Did not Cain do works, yet his were not accepted, while faithfil and righteous Abel's works were...Reminds me of this...

Mat 7:21-23, "Not everyone who says to Me; Teacher! Teacher! Will enter into the Kingdom of YHWH, but only he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day; Teacher! Teacher! Have we not prophesied in Your Name, and cast out demons in Your Name, and in Your Name performed many wonderful works? But then I will declare to them; I never knew you. Get away from Me, you who practice iniquity."

“iniquity” is word # G0458 - anomia {an-om-ee'-ah} from G0459, Greek Word Study (Transliteration-Pronunciation Etymology & Grammar)
1) the condition of without law, 1a) because ignorant of it, 1b) because of violating it, 2) contempt and violation of law, iniquity, wickedness [/FONT]

 

[7777pinacled]

I've always wondered why Abel's offering was respected by God but not Cains.


I do understand that with Abel's offering something had to die (sacrificed) is that where it's at?

There appears to be no text prior explaining that God explicitly commanded only the best animals are acceptable.

And I can see that both gave from where their work was, Cain cultivated, Abel shepherded.

We can see a slight parallel earlier where Adam and Eve used leaves to cover their shame but God sacrificed an animal for their clothes instead.

There would be a whole lot of symbology and whatever behind this one incident but I'm trying to dig into why it was unacceptable and Cains thought process at the time.

Look to the Lord for an Honorable bond of peace and reconcile in the Blessings of commitment that comes when walking in prayer.

 

[Katy-follower]

Abel had faith. Cain didn't. Evident by their offerings... Cain brought crops (his own works of self) whereas Abel brought a blood sacrifice as God had instructed. Cain didn't believe God and did his own thing. This same thing can be seen today... those who have faith in the blood of Jesus as atonement for their sins versus those with no faith, who depend on their own works for salvation!

The book of Jude speaks of apostates today who don't have the Spirit, and likens them to Cain. Cain was an apostate of old.


Hebrews 11:4: "By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks"

1 John 3:12: "...not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous"

Matthew 7:23: (judgment day) ".....depart from me, you workers of lawlessness"

John 8:44: "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it"

 

[dcontroversal]

Hebrews 11....Abel's testified of faith, blood and pointed to Christ......

Jude....Cain's was of works lacked faith and he was 1st false teacher

 

[Katy-follower]

Abel had faith. Cain didn't. Evident by their offerings... Cain brought crops (his own works of self) whereas Abel brought a blood sacrifice as God had instructed. Cain didn't believe God and did his own thing. This same thing can be seen today... those who have faith in the blood of Jesus as atonement for their sins versus those with no faith, who depend on their own works for salvation!

The book of Jude speaks of apostates today who don't have the Spirit, and likens them to Cain. Cain was an apostate of old.


Hebrews 11:4: "By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks"

1 John 3:12: "...not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous"

Matthew 7:23: (judgment day) ".....depart from me, you workers of lawlessness"

John 8:44: "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it"

Abel & Cain are an early example of a believer versus non believer. We continually see the two opposing sides mentioned throughout the scriptures... wheat & tares, sheep & goats, narrow & broad road, etc...

 

[Shamah]

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Hebrews 11, By belief they performed an action;[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11:1, "And belief is the substance of what is expected, the proof of what is not seen.[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11:2, "For by this the elders obtained witness.[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11:3, "By belief, we understand that the ages were prepared by the word of YHWH, so that what is seen was not made of what is visible."[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11:4, "By belief, Heḇel offered to Yah a greater sacrifice offering than Qayin, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, Yah witnessing of his gifts. And through it, having died, he still speaks.[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11:5, "By belief, Ḥanoḵ was translated so as not to see death, “and was not found because Yah had translated him.” (Gen 5:24) For before his translation he obtained witness, that he pleased Yah.[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11:6, "But without belief it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to Yah has to believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him.[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11:7, "By belief, Noaḥ, having been warned of what was yet unseen, having feared, prepared an ark to save his house, through which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to belief.[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11:8, "By belief, Aḇraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he was about to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.11:9, "By belief, he sojourned in the land of promise as a stranger, dwelling in tents with Yitsḥaq and Ya‛aqoḇ, the heirs with him of the same promise,"11:10, "for he was looking for the city having foundations, whose builder and maker is Yah.[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11:11, "By belief also, Sarah herself was enabled to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the normal age, because she deemed Him trustworthy who had promised.[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11:17, "By belief, Aḇraham, when he was tried, offered up Yitsḥaq, and he who had received the promises offered up his only brought-forth son,[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11:20, "By belief, Yitsḥaq blessed Ya‛aqoḇ and Ěsaw concerning that which was to come.[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11:21, "By belief, Ya‛aqoḇ, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Yosĕph, and did reverence on the top of his staff.[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11:22, "By belief, Yosĕph, when he was dying, made mention of the outgoing of the children of Yisra’ĕl, and gave orders concerning his bones.[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11:23, "By belief, Mosheh, having been born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a comely child, and were not afraid of the sovereign’s command. (Exo 2:2) [/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11:24, "By belief, Mosheh, having become great, refused to be called the son of the daughter of Pharaoh,"11:25, "choosing rather to be afflicted with the people of Yah than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time,"11:26, "deeming the reproach of Messiah greater riches than the treasures in Mitsrayim, for he was looking to the reward.[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11:27, "By belief, he left Mitsrayim, not fearing the wrath of the sovereign, for he was steadfast, as seeing Him who is invisible.[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11:28, "By belief, he performed the Pĕsaḥ and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the first-born should touch them.[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11:29, "By belief, they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, and when the Mitsrites tried it, they were drowned.[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11:30, "By belief, the walls of Yeriḥo fell, having been surrounded for seven days.[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11:31, "By belief, Raḥaḇ the whore did not perish with those who did not believe, having received the spies with peace.[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11:33, "who through belief, overcame reigns, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,"11:34, "quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became mighty in battle, put foreign armies to flight."11:35, "Women received back their dead by resurrection. And others were tortured, not accepting release, to obtain a better resurrection."11:36, "And others had trial of mockings and floggings and more, of chains and imprisonment."11:37, "They were stoned, they were tried, they were sawn in two, they were slain with the sword. They went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being in need, afflicted, mistreated,”[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11:34, "quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became mighty in battle, put foreign armies to flight.[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11:35, "Women received back their dead by resurrection. And others were tortured, not accepting release, to obtain a better resurrection.[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11:36, "And others had trial of mockings and floggings and more, of chains and imprisonment.[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11:37, "They were stoned, they were tried, they were sawn in two, they were slain with the sword. They went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being in need, afflicted, mistreated,[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11:38, "of whom the world was not worthy – wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes of the earth.[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11:39, "And having obtained witness through the belief, all these did not receive the promise,[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif](11:13, "In belief all these died, not having received the promises, but seeing them from a distance, welcomed and embraced them, and confessed that they were aliens and strangers on the earth.)[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11:40, "YHWH having provided what is better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us."[/FONT]

 

[gotime]

I've always wondered why Abel's offering was respected by God but not Cains.

I do understand that with Abel's offering something had to die (sacrificed) is that where it's at?

There appears to be no text prior explaining that God explicitly commanded only the best animals are acceptable.

And I can see that both gave from where their work was, Cain cultivated, Abel shepherded.

We can see a slight parallel earlier where Adam and Eve used leaves to cover their shame but God sacrificed an animal for their clothes instead.

There would be a whole lot of symbology and whatever behind this one incident but I'm trying to dig into why it was unacceptable and Cains thought process at the time.

You are on the right path. Remember that Genesis is part of the law/first five books.
While the event happened before the exodus it is directly connected.

They are not separate, The history we have is that which lines up with all the law.

The law tells us later that there is no remission of sins without the shedding of blood. This is not just true only at the time its first recorded in Scripture, It is true from the beginning and give meaning to why God took the life of an animal to cloth Adam and Eve. Why Cain's offering was not accepted.

The whole law/first five books are one and everything is explained when taken as a whole.

For the Jew these stories connected directly with what God taught them in their day. So even though there is no mention of a command to sacrifice the lamb in genesis 4, the law reveals that clearly they would have known and had that explained to them.

That is how we know that Adam and Eve would have been warned about Satan eve though we don't find it in Genesis 1-4.
That is how we know that Cain had been instructed that sacrifice and blood were needed.
That is how we know that the Sabbath was kept by Adam and Eve.
That is how we know why God used a tree and eve put the tree there.

The answer to these all are found in the law and the prophets and inform us and fill in the blanks. Even though there is not a single command to keep the Sabbath in Genesis or to sacrifice/blood in the story of Cain and able. Or why the tree was there or that they had been warned about Satan.

None of these appear in these first few chapters of Genesis, but all are clear when we see the whole law and the prophets. then the blanks are filled in clearly. The picture becomes full.

 

[Johnny_B]

Perhaps this will help.

The Sacrifices of Cain andAble.
A. “Inthe course of time.” Literally, “at the end of days.” What is theend of days suggested by the context? What would contextually mark the courseof time?

1.Popular options

a.The end of a seven day period.
b.The anniversary of the end of creation. The problem with both of these theoriesis that they cannot be arrived from the contents of the text.

2.The only temporal indicator offered by the text is that of the time of harvest.Thus, the course of time from one harvest to the next. We know this because ofthe type of sacrifice both men are offering. “And Abel was a keeper ofsheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in process of time it came topass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.And Abel, he ALSO brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fatthereof.”
3.Both men are offering the offering of first-fruits, one of the flock and one ofthe earth. Both are legitimate sacrifices. Cain, being a tiller of the groundnaturally offers the first-fruit of his crop. Being a keeper of the flock, Ableoffers his first-fruit of the flock. What implications can we generalize fromAble offering up the fat portions of his sacrifice?

a.That the offering of sacrifice had already been regulated by both time andprocedure.

*It was offered at the proper time - “at the end of days.”
* Thereis no separation of the fat from the sacrifice. It was offered up as a wholesacrifice.

b.That sacrifices were a matter of instruction. How did they know to offer thesesacrifices and how these sacrifices were to be offered in such a way that wouldbe acceptable to the Lord? This instruction had to be revealed instruction. Evenif they received the practice from their father Adam , these instructions still had to have been received from the Lord.
c.This is not their first sacrifice.
d.The possibility that other types of sacrifices were also being offered that didnot require the separation of the fat portions.

4.No indicators from the text that the sacrifice of Able had any connection toatonement or even contrition. In other words this is not a sin sacrifice.

a.There is no sprinkling of blood mentioned.
b.There is no removal of the intestines or the refuse mentioned.
Thisis a sacrifice of thanksgiving. Cain offered his first-fruits as a matter ofthanksgiving. This is the nature of any first-fruit offering. The text saysthat Able ALSO of his first. Both men are offering the same sacrifice. Why thenwas Cain's sacrifice not accepted? This rejection seems to stem from Cain'srelationship with his brother.

Great insight, never noticed, "in the course of time" before. I have a question, do you think that it was the Sabbath, because when you read the instruction of offerings in Leviticus we see that the fat was to be left in/on the offering, example Leviticus 3:3-5

“And from the sacrifice of the peace offering, as a food offering to the Lord, he shall offer the fat covering the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails,4 and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them at the loins, and the long lobe of the liver that he shall remove with the kidneys.5 Then Aaron's sons shall burn it on the altar on top of the burnt offering, which is on the wood on the fire; it is a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord.”

They were from the context, instructed in the offering(s) for sin to the Lord.

 

[mailmandan]

I've always wondered why Abel's offering was respected by God but not Cains.

Because it was by "out of" faith that Abel offered a sacrifice. Abel's faith was evidenced in obedience to God's requirement for sacrifice by which he obtained witness that he was righteous (Hebrews 11:4). His offering substantiated his faith (James 2:18). Cain, who was of the evil one, demonstrated an evil heart by evil deeds, while Abel demonstrated a righteous heart by his righteous deeds (1 John 3:12); and that Abel offered his sacrifice by faith and Cain did not. Cain's sacrifice was evidence of his lack of faith. Abel's offering proved something about his faith that was not demonstrated by Cain's offering.

 

[oldhermit]

Great insight, never noticed, "in the course of time" before. I have a question, do you think that it was the Sabbath, because when you read the instruction of offerings in Leviticus we see that the fat was to be left in/on the offering, example Leviticus 3:3-5

“And from the sacrifice of the peace offering, as a food offering to the Lord, he shall offer the fat covering the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails,4 and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them at the loins, and the long lobe of the liver that he shall remove with the kidneys.5 Then Aaron's sons shall burn it on the altar on top of the burnt offering, which is on the wood on the fire; it is a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord.”

They were from the context, instructed in the offering(s) for sin to the Lord.

I do not suppose there is any way to determine whether or not this was done on a Sabbath but, both sacrifices were a first-fruit sacrifice which were not offered in the same way as the peace offering. The offering of first-fruit could either be from the harvest of the ground (Lev chapters 2 and 23) or from the flock or the herd (Exodus 13).

The offering of first-fruits was not the only offering which required the total thermal conception of the entire animal. The Burnt offering was just such a sacrifice. The peace offering was an offering that was consumed by the worshiper, his family and the officiating priest.

 

[notuptome]

Gen 4:3 ¶ And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
6 ¶ And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.


Please note verse 7. God offered an acceptable offering for Cain but Cain refused. What does that say about Cain?

For the cause of Christ
Roger