Abel Accepted - Cain Rejected - Why?
Question
--- In Genesis chapter four, Abel was a shepherd (keeper of sheep) and Cain was a farmer (tiller of the ground). In their offering unto God, Able brought the Firstling of His Flock (his profession) and Cain brought the Fruit of The Ground (his profession). God accepted Abel’s offering but rejected Cain’s. Since Cain was a tiller of the ground and this was his profession, Why Did God Reject His Offering?
Answer
--- This is not only a good question, it is a very Important one. Both of their professions met the basic needs of man, food and clothing. They were both very honorable professions. However, God does not ask us to obey Him according to our profession, but rather according to His Word. We might also notice that God not only accepted or rejected the offerings; He also accepted or rejected the man as well.Hebrews 11:4
Now the question is "Why" did God reject Cain and his offering? In order to understand the reason "why," it is necessary to understand What God Required as an offering unto Him. Sin Always Leads To Death (James 1:15). When Adam and Eve sinned against God, an Innocent Substitute had to Sacrificially die in order to clothe their shame and guilt. This innocent substitute pointed to Christ. Man must Always approach God through the sacrificial death of an innocent substitute to Take The Place of The Guilty.
By faith, Abel believed that God meant what He said and would Require The Sacrifice of Innocent Life in order to approach Him. On the other hand Cain thought that he could do what Seemed Right To Him and God would still accept it as long as he was Sincere. It didn’t really matter what God had said for him to do. He was going to do it His Way. Besides, the sacrifice of an innocent life Seemed Too Severe to him. Why wouldn’t Vegetables do just as well? Besides there is No Pain or Suffering in vegetables. Thus, he attempted to establish a Different way and approach to God. He did Not Believe that the Sacrificial offering of an Innocent Life was the Only way to approach God.
Luke 6:46
God Does Not Accept Any Person Apart From The Sacrifice of Innocent Life
Hebrews 9:22
Romans 5:8-9
1 Peter 1:18-19
Many religious people today Reject the Blood of Jesus Christ --- His death --- His cross --- as the Major Purpose For His Life. They claim to follow the teaching of Jesus by patterning their conduct, goodness, rituals, ceremonies, and religion after His teachings. They do exactly what Cain did --- offer to God the best they can produce by their own faithfulness. They feel a little more humane, civil, and acceptable in a so-call civilized society by rejecting a "bloody religion". To them the Cross Is Repulsive, Abhorrent, and a symbol of Sin and Shame.
To the Christian, the Cross Is Glorious --- a symbol of Life and Forgiveness of sins --- Reconciliation to God. Jesus said, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die." (John 12:32-33)
The Only Way Is God’s Way.
Acts 4:12, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
Proverbs 14:12, "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."
A Search For The Truth
