Cain's Offering

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Heb 11:4 . . By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did.

I'm going to edit the wording of that just a bit to bring out an important
point.


"By faith Abel offered God a sacrifice"

The missing word "better" is a modifier; which serves to show that both
men's offerings were sacrifices; only the quality of Abel's sacrifice was
superior to the quality of Cain's.


Sacrifices should never be assumed always lethal and/or bloody. Take for
example:


Rom 12:1 . . I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your
bodies as living sacrifices


Heb 13:15-17 . .Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of
praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do
not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased.


Heb 11:4 also testifies that Abel's offerings were gifts. The very same Greek
word is used at Matt 2:11 to categorize the treasures that the wise men left
with baby Jesus.


Their gifts were not sin offerings; they were tributes: defined by Webster's
as (1) something given or contributed voluntarily as due or deserved
especially a gift or service showing respect, gratitude, or affection and (2)
something (such as material evidence or a formal attestation) that indicates
the worth, virtue, or effectiveness of the one in question


In other words "gifts" are acts of worship; which is the primary reason why
Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate birthdays.
_
Interesting!
 
Mar 23, 2016
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This will fall under my third category.
Do you agree or disagree with what is submitted in Post #274?

If you agree, then it appears you fall under your "third category".

If you disagree, please provide Scripture which will help me understand more perfectly.

Thank you.



 
Jan 12, 2019
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Do you agree or disagree with what is submitted in Post #274?

If you agree, then it appears you fall under your "third category".

If you disagree, please provide Scripture which will help me understand more perfectly.

Thank you.
I respect different people have different views on such issues.

My view is more on the 2nd category. It was necessary to offer an animal sacrifice in order to offer it in faith.

It does not matter HOW you offer a sacrifice, if it was the wrong sacrifice in the first place. Otherwise, you will have to conclude that, if Cain did offer correctly, his plant offering would have also been accepted.

That is what I believe God is telling Cain in Genesis 4:7, he had to "do" well, and not "believe" well
 
Mar 23, 2016
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I respect different people have different views on such issues.

My view is more on the 2nd category. It was necessary to offer an animal sacrifice in order to offer it in faith.

It does not matter HOW you offer a sacrifice, if it was the wrong sacrifice in the first place. Otherwise, you will have to conclude that, if Cain did offer correctly, his plant offering would have also been accepted.

That is what I believe God is telling Cain in Genesis 4:7, he had to "do" well, and not "believe" well
So you believe God told Cain to bring an animal sacrifice and Cain just decided to ignore what God told him and bring of the fruit of the ground?

If that is the case, then why did Cain become very wroth and why did his countenance fall?

If God told Cain to bring an animal and Cain did not bring an animal, there would be no reason for Cain to become so upset when God did not have respect to Cain and to his offering. He would have known he had gone against what God told him to bring.



 
Jan 12, 2019
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So you believe God told Cain to bring an animal sacrifice and Cain just decided to ignore what God told him and bring of the fruit of the ground?

If that is the case, then why did Cain become very wroth and why did his countenance fall?

If God told Cain to bring an animal and Cain did not bring an animal, there would be no reason for Cain to become so upset when God did not have respect to Cain and to his offering. He would have known he had gone against what God told him to bring.
My guess is he didn't want to follow God's instructions and just want to do his own way. Kids often do that with their earthly parents correct?

You are right in your conclusion. That is precisely what God was reminding Cain in Genesis 4:6-7. I agree with you Cain had no reason to feel unhappy.

God reminded him of a simple solution, offer the correct sacrifice, and you will be accepted just like Abel. Showing faith in God is about obeying what he says.
 
Mar 28, 2016
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My guess is he didn't want to follow God's instructions and just want to do his own way. Kids often do that with their earthly parents correct?

You are right in your conclusion. That is precisely what God was reminding Cain in Genesis 4:6-7. I agree with you Cain had no reason to feel unhappy.

God reminded him of a simple solution, offer the correct sacrifice, and you will be accepted just like Abel. Showing faith in God is about obeying what he says.
Cain did not believe in a God not seen. He had no faith or power by which he could. He rejected the gospel that could of gave him rest from his own works. John 3:18 applies. Abel who sowed the incoruutped seed of God word by which men are born again from above was given the faith of Christ that did allow him to believe the unseen.

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not "is condemned already," because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:18
 
Mar 28, 2016
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So you believe God told Cain to bring an animal sacrifice and Cain just decided to ignore what God told him and bring of the fruit of the ground?

If that is the case, then why did Cain become very wroth and why did his countenance fall?

If God told Cain to bring an animal and Cain did not bring an animal, there would be no reason for Cain to become so upset when God did not have respect to Cain and to his offering. He would have known he had gone against what God told him to bring.
I don't think animal sacrifice was a option. No where does the bible say God slew a animal.They both offered the work of their hands as food they eat as that which sustains the life of the flesh.

It was simply the work of Abel's hand . The younger usually was given the more stinky job. Worshipping the works of ones' hand is a common Pagan practice . . elevating the worker as self pride walking by sight after the temporal things of this world .
 

ArtsieSteph

Senior Member
Apr 1, 2014
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Another thing too: you think Cain was maybe lazy about it? Flippant? Like “eh I’ll just give God this.”
 
Mar 28, 2016
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Another thing too: you think Cain was maybe lazy about it? Flippant? Like “eh I’ll just give God this.”
Cain as a atheist had had no faith in God coming from God. . But followed after the pagan religion of this world .Out of sight out of mind. .

I do not think God slew an animal .It just does not fit the faith principle .. The glory departed they saw the nakedness (no God) and tried to cover it as did Moses.

Worshiping the pagan form as self edifying a work of humans hands. They both started in that way In the process or continuation of time called course, it was revealed as a coincident to continue to bring the same . It confirmed gospel was working in Abel . Prior to that the witness of man self edification.
 

TLC209

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Mar 20, 2019
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Cain as a atheist had had no faith in God coming from God. . But followed after the pagan religion of this world .Out of sight out of mind. .

I do not think God slew an animal .It just does not fit the faith principle .. The glory departed they saw the nakedness (no God) and tried to cover it as did Moses.

Worshiping the pagan form as self edifying a work of humans hands. They both started in that way In the process or continuation of time called course, it was revealed as a coincident to continue to bring the same . It confirmed gospel was working in Abel . Prior to that the witness of man self edification.
How can cain be an atheist lol he gave an offering to God and God spoke to him? So he denies a God is exists? Thats crazy... who teaches that cain is an athiest lol
 
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Another thing too: you think Cain was maybe lazy about it? Flippant? Like “eh I’ll just give God this.”
All who are born after Adam, are born with Adam's sinful nature. (Romans 5:12)

As I have said, kids are always known to go against their parents' instructions, so I don't see why Cain's action was difficult to comprehend.
 
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Cain did not believe in a God not seen. He had no faith or power by which he could. He rejected the gospel that could of gave him rest from his own works. John 3:18 applies. Abel who sowed the incoruutped seed of God word by which men are born again from above was given the faith of Christ that did allow him to believe the unseen.

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not "is condemned already," because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:18
As I have mentioned in the other recent thread about Cain, Its hard to imagine for us now, but God was always talking to Cain.

Its impossible for Cain not to believe there is a God. He just refuse to obey God's instructions.

Likewise, in the 1000 year millennial rule, everyone can see Jesus but there will always be some who will rebel against him. (Rev 20:7-8)
 
Mar 23, 2016
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Another thing too: you think Cain was maybe lazy about it? Flippant? Like “eh I’ll just give God this.”
That's what I believe, ArtsieSteph. Notice in Gen 4:4 that Abel brought of the firstlings of the flock and of the fat thereof. The firstlings are the firstborn and the fat represents the choicest.

Gen 4:3 tells us Cain brought of the fruit of the ground. No indication that Cain's offering was of the choicest grain. Lev 2 talks about the grain offering ... the offering is to be of fine flour. There is no indication in Gen 4 that Cain brought fine grain.

In order for Abel to have brought his offering through faith (Heb 11:4), Abel must have heard the Word of God (faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God - Rom 10:17). Cain must have heard the Word of God in order for him to have not brought his offering through faith. Both Cain and Abel heard the Word of God. Only one brought through faith.

In Genesis 4 we see the first man-made religion as Cain devised his own way of offering to God. Cain's "own way" of offering to God resulted in his sin, and his need for the sin offering God made available to Cain in Gen 4:7.

I do not believe the offerings of Gen 4:3 (Cain's offering) and Gen 4:4 (Abel's offering) were sin offerings. I believe these were offerings to be made in process of time (at the proper time) according to instruction (the Word of God). Both Cain and Abel were given the Word of God to make an offering at a time and in a manner specified by God.

God may have instructed Abel to bring an offering from the flock and God may have instructed Cain to bring an offering from the field. And Abel brought the best of the best. Cain did not ... which resulted in God not having respect to Cain's offering and Cain becoming very wroth. Cain may have thought he was doing exactly as God had instructed in bringing of the fruit of the ground, but did not follow all that God had instructed (i.e. fine flour - Lev 2:1).

When the Lord visited Abraham in Gen 18, Abraham prepared a feast. In Gen 18:6, Abraham instructed Sarah to prepare cakes for the meal. The cakes were made of fine meal. Abraham also fetched a calf, tender and good. Abraham fed the Lord with the best he had. This is an example of the man of faith ... just as Abel is an example of the man of faith.



 
Jan 12, 2019
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That's what I believe, ArtsieSteph. Notice in Gen 4:4 that Abel brought of the firstlings of the flock and of the fat thereof. The firstlings are the firstborn and the fat represents the choicest.

Gen 4:3 tells us Cain brought of the fruit of the ground. No indication that Cain's offering was of the choicest grain. Lev 2 talks about the grain offering ... the offering is to be of fine flour. There is no indication in Gen 4 that Cain brought fine grain.

In order for Abel to have brought his offering through faith (Heb 11:4), Abel must have heard the Word of God (faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God - Rom 10:17). Cain must have heard the Word of God in order for him to have not brought his offering through faith. Both Cain and Abel heard the Word of God. Only one brought through faith.

In Genesis 4 we see the first man-made religion as Cain devised his own way of offering to God. Cain's "own way" of offering to God resulted in his sin, and his need for the sin offering God made available to Cain in Gen 4:7.

I do not believe the offerings of Gen 4:3 (Cain's offering) and Gen 4:4 (Abel's offering) were sin offerings. I believe these were offerings to be made in process of time (at the proper time) according to instruction (the Word of God). Both Cain and Abel were given the Word of God to make an offering at a time and in a manner specified by God.

God may have instructed Abel to bring an offering from the flock and God may have instructed Cain to bring an offering from the field. And Abel brought the best of the best. Cain did not ... which resulted in God not having respect to Cain's offering and Cain becoming very wroth. Cain may have thought he was doing exactly as God had instructed in bringing of the fruit of the ground, but did not follow all that God had instructed (i.e. fine flour - Lev 2:1).

When the Lord visited Abraham in Gen 18, Abraham prepared a feast. In Gen 18:6, Abraham instructed Sarah to prepare cakes for the meal. The cakes were made of fine meal. Abraham also fetched a calf, tender and good. Abraham fed the Lord with the best he had. This is an example of the man of faith ... just as Abel is an example of the man of faith.
So to sum up, you believe that if Cain offered fine flour/grain, his bloodless sacrifice would have been accepted by God?
 

TLC209

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So to sum up, you believe that if Cain offered fine flour/grain, his bloodless sacrifice would have been accepted by God?
Theres no mention of blood being offered by Abel. There is no mention of a sacrifice being offered by Abel or Cain. An offering. Does your offering at church have blood on it?
 
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Theres no mention of blood being offered by Abel. There is no mention of a sacrifice being offered by Abel or Cain. An offering. Does your offering at church have blood on it?
You can imagine an animal without blood?
 

TLC209

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You can imagine an animal without blood?
Was it an offering or was it a sacrifice? A sacrifice must be killed right? So then Cains sacrifice would meant he brought veggies to a sacrifice? How can you kill veggies?

I read the passage and it talks about an offering not a sacrifice. Two different things. I dont know why people are adding to scripture.
 
Jan 12, 2019
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Was it an offering or was it a sacrifice? A sacrifice must be killed right? So then Cains sacrifice would meant he brought veggies to a sacrifice? How can you kill veggies?

I read the passage and it talks about an offering not a sacrifice. Two different things. I dont know why people are adding to scripture.
Okay, bloodless offering then.

Anyway I was not directing the original question at you.
 

TLC209

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Okay, bloodless offering then.

Anyway I was not directing the original question at you.
I was pointing out to you and to anyone else. An Offering and a Sacrifice two seperate things. Were talking about Abel and Cains offering. They werent bringing a sacrifice to God. It would be ridiculous to brings fruits and veggies. I know you agree thats why youre not saying anything.

People need to stop changing words to scripture and make it mean something else. Cain being an atheist and things that are just so far beyond what scripture is teaching us.
 
Jan 12, 2019
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I was pointing out to you and to anyone else. An Offering and a Sacrifice two seperate things. Were talking about Abel and Cains offering. They werent bringing a sacrifice to God. It would be ridiculous to brings fruits and veggies. I know you agree thats why youre not saying anything.

People need to stop changing words to scripture and make it mean something else. Cain being an atheist and things that are just so far beyond what scripture is teaching us.
The key term I was using is bloodless, and not sacrifice.

You chose to nitpick over the wrong point.