Why did God accept Abel’s offering? Why did the Lord reject Cain’s offering?
That’s a question that’s always puzzled me. The scriptures do not really give us a reason as to why this happened. Someone in my Bible study group pointed out that Cain’s offering was not the right kind of offering. However, there are other agricultural offerings in the Bible. I know they mention agricultural offerings in Deuteronomy.
Cain became enraged that the Lord rejected his offering, he became so mad that he killed his brother Abel. I was thinking that it was Cain’s bad attitude that cause the Lord to reject his offering.
So, why do you think God rejected Cain’s offering?
Genesis 4:2-5
New King James Version (NKJV)
2 Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.
The scripture says that “Abel brought of the firstborn of his flock and their fat” but it says that “Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord.” To me, that suggests Abel brought the best he had while Cain brought some wilted vegetables and/or some overripe fruit as his offering. I think God rejected Cain’s offering because he didn’t offer his best and accepted Abel’s because he did.
Good point, Maurice. Cain probably didn’t bring the best grains (or veggies) that he had. I wouldn’t be surprised if his sacrifice was something that had been lying around awhile, may have even been spoiled! Thanks for commenting!
That’s such a good point, that Cain didn’t give God his best. Possibily the Lord saw into his heart and knew he wasn’t truly seeking God’s will, either, that his heart wasn’t truly surrendered to God, as his actions seem to show.
Hi Autumn!
Good point! Cain probably didn’t give his best to God, plus, his offering probably didn’t come from his heart. Thanks for your insightful comment.