05/21/2008 Genesis 4:1

05/21/2008

Genesis 4:1 - 7 (HCSB) ¹Adam knew his wife Eve intimately, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain. She said, “I have had a male child with the LORD’s help.” ²Then she also gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel became a shepherd of a flock, but Cain cultivated the land.

³In the course of time Cain presented some of the land’s produce as an offering to the LORD. ⁴And Abel also presented _[an offering_]—some of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. The LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, ⁵but He did not have regard for Cain and his offering. Cain was furious, and he was downcast.

⁶Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you furious? And why are you downcast? ⁷If you do right, won’t you be accepted? But if you do not do right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must master it.”

I am fascinated with history and in 1993, I had the opportunity to tour the Yucatan peninsula and visit several Mayan ruins. In almost every one of them, a sacrificial altar was discovered. This is true of the Aztecs, Toltecs, and in fact, every civilization’s history has some record of sacrifice in some form. This tells me that all cultures must have originated from a common source, with a common understanding (albeit distorted over time) of the requirement for sacrifice.

After they were expelled from the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve conceived two sons. There were possibly more children, but these were the first two, possibly twins. I want to point out that there were no children in Eden. I do not know why, but the language regarding the conception of new life is not masked. Only after their expulsion did they conceive.

Nevertheless, the two boys grew to adulthood. One worked the soil; a farmer; the other a herdsman. When the time came for them to offer sacrifices, both offered from their produce. So why was Cain’s offering rejected?

I believe the answer is quite simple. Although we have no stated regulations about sacrifice so far, we know that God himself provided the sacrifice in the Garden of Eden when he killed an animal (possibly sheep) to provide clothing for Adam and Eve. And when we look at the passage here of Cain and Abel’s sacrifices, it is clear that a blood-sacrifice was required. Abel provided a blood-sacrifice while Cain brought vegetation.

Why is a blood-sacrifice required? First, because the penalty of sin is death. A sacrifice provides a temporary payment for that debt; a life for a life. Secondly, it is a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin. Slaughtering an animal is a very unpleasant task. Although I have never participated in the slaughter of an animal, I would suppose it to be impossible to slaughter an animal without getting its blood on you. Offering vegetation in no way compares to the experience of slaughtering an animal.

Remember, a sacrifice is not merely “giving till it hurts” as some have coined it. A sacrifice is a substitute—a substitute death on behalf of our sins. Therefore, in order for the offering (sacrifice) to be acceptable, is would have to be a blood-sacrifice.

When God confronted Cain on the subject, it seems somewhat apparent that Cain knew why his offering was rejected. But Cain’s rebellious spirit only fueled his anger, rather than turning his heart to do what was right.

Do we sometimes react this way when confronted with our own sin? Let us remember what a high price was paid for our sin, that is, Jesus Christ. We are no longer under the burden of presenting blood-sacrifices. Therefore, when confronted with our sin, let us be humbled and contrite and do what is right.

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