Cain vs Abel?

[BigChrisfilm]

Why did God have respect toward Ables sacrifice, but not Cain?

 

[mark kennedy]

Why did God have respect toward Ables sacrifice, but not Cain?

I've never been clear about that but one thing I'm sure of, both of them knew exactly way.

 

[BigChrisfilm]

Could I get this moved to general theology? I just realized I posted it in the wrong place.

 

[Shema Yisrael]

Abel's offering was a sacrifice, Cain's was the work of his hands.

Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORDhad regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.

Cain only had to work the ground, and it is not indicated that he offered the 'first' of his fruits just that he made an offering. Abel not only offered the firstborn of his flock he obviously sacrificed it to the LORD because he also brought 'their fat portions' as would be furthur explained in the giving of Torah. Abel offered a life, firstborn, and that patterns the sacrifice of Messiah. Cain offered the works of his hands, and not even the first fruits. This helps me understand why the LORD accepted Abel's but not Cain's.

 

[granpa]

Why did God have respect toward Ables sacrifice, but not Cain?

http://www.christianforums.com/t7792933/

 

[miamited]

Hi chris,

Well, the only evidence we are given is that Cain's heart was wicked. Just as God later told Israel that all of their sacrifices were worthless to him because of their wicked hearts. He decries that He finds no joy in the blood of animals of their sacrifices because their hearts are far from Him.

So, it would seem apparent that when we offer sacrifices to God, He is looking at our hearts. What God is looking for is not that we just simply follow some plan of offering sacrifices, but that when we do offer them, we are also contrite and humble in our hearts in our offering. Just as with the communion service of the new covenant, we are told to examine our hearts. Take some time to cleanse our heart and mind of unrighteousness before we partake of communion.

It isn't just, "Well, ok, I've had a bit of grape juice and nibbled on some bread, so what's next?" It's all about the heart. God discerns the intentions of our heart in everything that we do, but it seems specifically, in our sacrifices and offerings to Him.

God bless you.

 

[Smidlee]

Abel's offering was a sacrifice, Cain's was the work of his hands.

Cain only had to work the ground, and it is not indicated that he offered the 'first' of his fruits just that he made an offering. Abel not only offered the firstborn of his flock he obviously sacrificed it to the LORD because he also brought 'their fat portions' as would be furthur explained in the giving of Torah. Abel offered a life, firstborn, and that patterns the sacrifice of Messiah. Cain offered the works of his hands, and not even the first fruits. This helps me understand why the LORD accepted Abel's but not Cain's.

Bingo. Cain was the first "Do-Gooder" in the Bible thought he could please God by his own efforts. It's the same with Adam's "fig leaf clothing" store went out of business and accepted the clothing from God which required the shedding of blood.
Thus Abel shed an animal's blood while Cain's path lead him to shed his brother's blood.

 

[frogman2x]

Why did God have respect toward Ables sacrifice, but not Cain?

It was offered from faith---Hebrews 11:4. Without faith it
is impossible to please God---Hebrews 11:6.

Also, since they were not told to offer a sacrifice, I think he was thinking God for how he treated his parents. Of course that's pure speculation. It is just food for thought.

 

[granpa]

people were vegetarians in those days.
No animals were killed

 

[greentwiga]

I have been pondering Cain slaying Abel. God says abel's blood is crying to Him from the ground. Ancient people used to sacrifice people and pour their blood out on the ground to ensure fertility of the ground. I have wondered if Cain was doing this false worship being the cause of God rejecting his worship. Just a question, I also consider the traditional thought that Abel offered a blood sacrifice and Cain didn't

 

[AmericanChristian91]

people were vegetarians in those days.
No animals were killed

People have been eating meat for a LONG time, even in the earlier days of humanity.

 

[granpa]

And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth,
and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.

 

[AmericanChristian91]

And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth,
and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.

Yes I am aware ancient Man ate fruits, and other kinds of non-meat food (hunter-gathering societies not just relied on meat, but other kinds of food to survive) After all, God did intend for us to eat all kinds of foods, which is why our species was designed to be omnivores.


If we were never meant to originally eat meat, why do our bodies have the ability to eat and digest meat?

 

[granpa]

we have the ability to do a lot of things that we ought not to do

 

[AmericanChristian91]

we have the ability to do a lot of things that we ought not to do

So you think we were never supposed to eat meat at all?

 

[granpa]

Ideally no.
but we don't live in an ideal world

if you have to eat meat then just make sure there is no blood in it
(make sure the animal was put down humanely)

 

[Tammy]

Why did God have respect toward Ables sacrifice, but not Cain?

I believe that God had respect for Abel because he was obedient....

As soon as sin came into the world, God told Adam & Eve that He had made a way of escape ~

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman.... Genesis 3:15.

That was a promise, a prophecy, that God was going to send Jesus to die for their sins. He taught them the plan of salvation....right from the beginning... God gave them specific directions regarding the sacrificial system, and taught them thru the sacrificial system the plan of salvation...He specifically told them to build an alter, and to bring a lamb for the sacrifice. They BOTH, Cain & Abel, built an alter...but when it came to the sacrifice, Abel obeyed God, and Cain did not. Cain thought that the fruits/vegetables that he had grown were just as good to offer to God on the alter as was the lamb that Abel brought to offer.

But, God didn't think so.

It was all about OBEDIENCE. Abel obeyed God, Cain did not. And Jesus said,

If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15.

God had given them clear commands, Abel obeyed, Cain did not. Therefore God had respect for Abel and not for Cain.

 

[Tammy]

people were vegetarians in those days.
No animals were killed

They were supposed to be vegetarians...the original diet was fruits, nuts & grains... Vegetables were not even added til after sin entered the world. God gave permission for man to eat meat AFTER the flood... But because of sin, God instituted the sacrificial service, which included the death of animals... Lambs were slain on the alter, to teach people that sin causes death...

 

[ChetSinger]

people were vegetarians in those days.
No animals were killed

I think they were vegetarians, too, but I figure they raised and killed animals to make clothing.

 

[ChetSinger]

So you think we were never supposed to eat meat at all?

I think our original design criteria was to eat food produced from fruits, vegetables, and nuts. And as an aside, when I increased those foods in my diet to about 30% of my overall calories, my blood glucose and cholesterol dropped from high to OK. Every engine runs best on the fuel designed for it, right?