“Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.” Genesis 4:2-5
We all know the story of Cain killing Abel out of anger when God refused the sacrifice he offered. Then we read of the unbelievable encounter Cain has with God after the murder. At the very
beginning of Scripture God shows us clearly the two destinations that all mankind can choose between and the horror one faces when he turns his back on the God who loves him. This encounter gives
us an insight into the fate of unbelievers facing the Lord Jesus Christ at the Great White Throne Judgment.
Man’s Approach To God The first we see of Cain is in his occupation on earth. We are told that Cain was a tiller of the ground and his brother, Abel, was a keeper of the flock (Genesis 4:2). “Flock” would likely be either sheep or goats (or both). At the time of Adam and Eve mankind was vegetarian so the flock was not kept for food but to provide clothing and to be the sacrifice to God to cover their sin before the Messiah came. Both of these items (clothing and the sacrifice) were necessary as a result of Adam’s and Eve’s sin in
rebelling against God’s word. However it occurred Abel, the second son, chose to care for the flocks while Cain, the older son and the one who probably had first choice of vocation, selected tilling of the ground that God had cursed. The selection of vocation gives us insight into what the boy’s treasured.
The Wrong Sacrifice The first encounter we are told that Cain has with God is when he appears before God to offer his sacrifice. God is to be worshiped in spirit and in truth. Cain does not come in truth. He
brings something he believes will show God how innovative and clever Cain is. He brings from the labor of his own hands an offering constructed of the plants and fruits he grew in his own garden. He brings the best of what he has produced and therein lies the issue. Cain believes he, rather than God, should define what an acceptable sacrifice is. Unfortunately Cain does not offer the sacrifice that God demanded. God taught Adam and Eve that sin required the shedding of innocent blood. Their sin caused them to realize their nakedness
before God (He sees all) and they tried their best to cover the shame they had from His eyes. They did this by covering their nakedness with leaves they sewed together. God saw their attempt and rejected it. He replaced the leaves with the skins of innocent animals that had shed their blood in order to clothe (or cover) them. Now Cain thinks he knows better than God or his parents. His parents offered leaves but they did not do it the way he could. Instead of offering the shed blood of a lamb (which would require Cain to go to Abel to procure), Cain offered, in his pride, the works of his own hands. He rejected the shed blood required by God and offered Him what he thinks is “just as good”.
God’s Rejection Scripture tells us without the” shedding of blood there is no remission of sin”. Cain appears before God but what he offers to God to cover his sin is unacceptable. It does not meet God’s standard. Genesis says God has no regard for Cain’s offering. The word regard means “to gaze upon”. God looked carefully at what Cain brought and saw his heart of pride and his sin of disobedience in obeying God’s word. Thus his offering was unacceptable in spirit and in truth. God cannot, will not, accept an offering made in pride
and disobedience, to cover one’s sin. He always looks at tman’s heart for humility and obedience. Cain had neither.
Cain’s reaction Cain shows us the reaction of sinful man toward God for not accepting what he thinks God should count worthy. Scripture says Cain was very angry. The Hebrew word means to be furious, to burn with rage. He is filled with hatred toward God. His face (his countenance) fell (was cast down). Perhaps Cain felt worship was a competition with his brother. Cain brought the best he could make and God rejected his sacrifice but accepted what his brother offered. Cain is angry at God. All men who reject God’s “only way” are.