cain and able

[James]

I have always wondered why ables gift was favored and why cains gift wasnt? does anyone have any insight on this?

[George]

Brother James,

The Scriptures state:

1 John 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

WHY is this so?

Because Able brought an innocent sheep, i.e. "the firstlings of his flock"  [a lamb? - typifying "the Lamb of God" in John 1:29 & 36] and had to kill it and shed its blood as an offering to God, while Cain brought "the fruit" of his own labors (i.e. his own works) and thought that his own works would please God. It is obvious that both Cain and Able knew what to bring as an offering because Abel's offering was accepted of God while Cain's was rejected.

Genesis 4:1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.

2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
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.

Is Almighty God Unjust - that He would accept one man's "offering" and not another man's "offering" without a justifiable reason? I trow not.

2 Chronicles 19:7 Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.

Romans 9:14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

Job 34:23 For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.

Basically Cain "thought" that his own works would please God, while Abel "knew better!" Reminds you a whole lot of most "religious" people today - "thinking" that they have to DO something in addition to the Lord Jesus Christ's "finished work" (sacrifice) on Calvary in order to please God. However, it didn't work for Cain way back then and it will not work for anyone today who "thinks" they can DO something to please God!

Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

[James]

thank you for your response, I had never thought about it like that before, that was some good insight