Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering.

Genesis 4:4

Two brothers, two different professions, two kinds of offering to present to God.

That is the story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:2). God is the recipient of their offering, the Sovereign King who decides what is acceptable to Him. He looks “with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering He did not look with favor” (Gen. 4:4-5).

The debate for centuries has been why God accepted the offering of Abel and not that of Cain. They both brought to God what they had, so why did one receive favor but the other did not?

Many have postulated that it was because Abel offered a blood sacrifice, while Cain did not. They maintain that blood sacrifice is the right way of offering that which pleases God. It is argued that Hebrews 11:4 “sets the whole subject before us in the most distinct and comprehensive way” (C.H. Mackintosh, Genesis to Deuteronomy, pg. 38). “By faith Abel brought a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings” (Heb. 11:4). The implication here is that because Abel is commended as righteous, the offering the two brothers presented that day was for the removal of their sins and into right standing with God. Consequently, the right offering was the bloody one of Abel. For, “without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness” (Heb. 9:22). The problem is, Abraham was declared righteous, not because of a blood sacrifice, but by simply believing (faith) God.

Warren Wiersbe argues in his commentary on Hebrews (Be Confident, pg. 807) that “God had revealed to Adam and his descendants the true way of worship, and Abel obeyed God by faith”. The faith of Abel then becomes the central issue. The question then is, how did Abel exercise faith in God by his offering? He did by simply trusting in the acceptable way God had revealed to Adam to approach Him.  

Hebrews 12:6 declares very clearly thus: “And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”

Abel believed and trusted God so much that he approached Him with “fat portions from some of the first born of his flock” (Gen. 4:4). He had the right sacrifice alright. But He also approached God deliberately, intentionally, and sacrificially. He brought his best to God by faith – “fat portions” and “first born.”

On the other hand, there is no description of Cain’s offering because there was nothing commendable about it. The language suggests it was plain and offered in a casual manner. There seems to be no sense of awe in Cain’s presentation. It all sounds like an offering coming from an unwilling person – just a religious act to fulfill all righteousness. Most revealing of all, Cain’s response to God’s intervention demonstrates his lack of faith, without which, he couldn’t please God (Gen. 4:6-16; Hebrews 11:6).

So, what do you offer to God? Do you do it by faith? Do you bring your best? What is the manner of your sacrifice? Does it reveal the primacy of God in your life?

Fortunately, a change of heart and attitude is possible, as the Lord told Cain (Genesis 4:7).

Will you take heed?