Why Was Cain’s Sacrifice Rejected by God?

[Dave L]

Yes but, this does not mention lack of Cain's "faith". So, maybe we are to surmise this through Hebrews 11:4 ? What "type" of sacrifice was it? Could have been a sacrifice of thanksgiving or something else?

Cain could not have true faith apart from the Holy Spirit.

 

[Nancy]

Hebrew has several different words for 'sacrifice', because there were many different types.
Cain and Abel were offering a "minchah" - which was a tribute offering, not a sacrifice for sin. So it didn't need to contain blood. They each brought what they had.

However, Abel brought the very best of the best (fat portions from the firstborn lambs), whereas Cain seems to have brought any old stuff from his farm. There's a big difference in attitude there, which probably reflects their lifestyles. In I John we read that Cain was also jealous of Abel because his own actions (note the plural - it wasn't just one offering that was different) were evil and Abel's were righteous. (I John 3:12)

Wonderful answer Deborah! And, since you echo other good brothers/sisters on "attitude" here, and, you have cleared up the non-blood issue (Ha!) sacrifice of Tribute- it seems plausible that attitude of heart is what God was looking at ♥

"because his own actions (note the plural - it wasn't just one offering that was different)"

Yes, like you said: "lifestyle". I had not noticed the plural before...thanks!

 

[farouk]

Hebrew has several different words for 'sacrifice', because there were many different types.
Cain and Abel were offering a "minchah" - which was a tribute offering, not a sacrifice for sin. So it didn't need to contain blood. They each brought what they had.

However, Abel brought the very best of the best (fat portions from the firstborn lambs), whereas Cain seems to have brought any old stuff from his farm. There's a big difference in attitude there, which probably reflects their lifestyles. In I John we read that Cain was also jealous of Abel because his own actions (note the plural - it wasn't just one offering that was different) were evil and Abel's were righteous. (I John 3:12)

It was Abel who was indeed honoured in Hebrews 11.

 

[farouk]

Hebrews says he didn't have faith, Abel did.

Well, exactly. Hebrews 11.4.

 

[Pearl]

I suspect it was both.
Cain had the wrong attitude, instead of trading crops for a lamb etc he considered his crops 'good enough' and did not follow the know method of offering to God.

That his attitude was wrong is seen when instead of listening to God, he murdered his brother and only expressed sorrow when he realise the enormity of his punishment.

I never thought about that he could have traded crops for a lamb. Good thought.

 

[Pearl]

Good point. But I still wonder about his first fruits. Maybe his wicked heart kept him from giving God them?

Perhaps instead of choose the best of the crop he chose to offer inferior stuff.

 

[Pearl]

Faith is a fruit of the Holy Spirit which means he was born again.

???

 

[Dave L]

???

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith [faithfulness],” (Galatians 5:22)

 

[farouk]

Perhaps instead of choose the best of the crop he chose to offer inferior stuff.

Hebrews 11.4 shows it was Abel rather than Cain who showed faith in the need for a sacrifice, rather than Cain who wanted to bring the fruit of his own labours.

Ephesians 2.8-9 come to mind.

 

[Helen]

God has revealed to Adam and Eve, as well as Cain and Abel, that the only way to show their faith in God was to come to Him through a sacrificial lamb. A lamb without spot or blemish, whose innocent blood would be shed to make atonement for their sins.

And, where on earth do you find that??
Please quote it!!

I don't believe it. I do believe that God revealed it to Abel ...
We are not even told that Adam and Eve gave a sacrifice of a lamb anywhere.
I cannot buy what you are saying...you dragged that from some fable. ?

 

[Butterfly]

Oh wow, some good answers, the whole subject of Cain and Abel came up in a private discussion between me, Nancy, and Helen- I had read a study in the afternoon that suggested that Cain should have also brought a lamb - I had never heard that before. I was always taught,and encouraged to teach that Cain offering was not his best from what he had grown, where as Abel was the best from his flock.
I will have to catch up on all the responses after work tomorrow as I am just so tired tonight. Thanks for setting the thread up for me while I was at work Nancy xxx
Rita

 

[Enoch111]

I cannot buy what you are saying...you dragged that from some fable. ?

Really? Amazingly negative response to Gospel truth. Well take a minute to digest this:

CHRIST SEEN ON THE CROSS BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things,as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you (1 Pet 1:18-30)

CHRIST REVEALED ON THE CROSS TO ADAM, EVE, AND SATAN
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (Gen 3:15)

CHRIST DEPICTED ON THE CROSS FROM ABEL TO MOSES
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 (Gen 4:4)

You really think that Cain and Abel had been taught Gospel truth by God, but Adam and Eve had not? Or would it be more reasonable to believe that Adam and Eve were taught by God, and then they taught their sons that their sins could be atoned for only through a sacrificial lamb?

 

[Helen]

Really? Amazingly negative response to Gospel truth. Well take a minute to digest this:

CHRIST SEEN ON THE CROSS BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things,as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you (1 Pet 1:18-30)

CHRIST REVEALED ON THE CROSS TO ADAM, EVE, AND SATAN
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (Gen 3:15)

CHRIST DEPICTED ON THE CROSS FROM ABEL TO MOSES
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 (Gen 4:4)

You really think that Cain and Abel had been taught Gospel truth by God, but Adam and Eve had not? Or would it be more reasonable to believe that Adam and Eve were taught by God, and then they taught their sons that their sins could be atoned for only through a sacrificial lamb?

Thank you

But no real direct quotes or admonition to the Adam family about the when, what, how or why via your verses.

Your post is a far reach to me! No solid backing for it.

 

[Enoch111]

I was always taught,and encouraged to teach that Cain offering was not his best from what he had grown, where as Abel was the best from his flock.

Man's best is never good enough since God expects perfection. So it was not Abel's "best" but Abel's obedience to Gospel truth -- a sinless substitute is required for every sinner in order to approach God and to demonstrate faith in God.

 

[Enoch111]

But no real direct quotes or admonition to the Adam family about the when, what, how or why via your verses.

Are there any direct quotes teaching Noah about clean and unclean animals and the proper way to sacrifice to God?????

WHERE IS THE DIRECT QUOTE TEACHING THIS DIFFERENCE TO NOAH?
Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female. (Gen 7:2)

WHERE IS THE DIRECT QUOTE TEACHING NOAH HOW TO SACRIFICE?
And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. (Gen 8:20)

Amazing how Christians refuse to believe what is implied in Scripture. Just because you don't "get it" does not mean it does not exist.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

I agree with those who've said it was what was in their respective hearts that determined why God accepted or did not accept their offerings.

God judges the heart and intents.

We can't see their hearts, and anything else is speculative on our part.

 

[H. Richard]

IMHO, Abel believed God and offered up what God said was acceptable. But Cain refused to believe God and offered up the work of his hands.

It is the same all through the Bible. A person must believe God. Jesus (God) sent Paul with a gospel of His grace which says what He did on the cross pays for the sins of the whole world, everyone has a pardon because He paid for their sins. But just like Cain, many, of not most, will chose not to believe the message Jesus gave Paul and try to get into heaven by their own works.

 

[Helen]

Are there any direct quotes teaching Noah about clean and unclean animals and the proper way to sacrifice to God?????

WHERE IS THE DIRECT QUOTE TEACHING THIS DIFFERENCE TO NOAH?
Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female. (Gen 7:2)

WHERE IS THE DIRECT QUOTE TEACHING NOAH HOW TO SACRIFICE?
And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. (Gen 8:20)

Amazing how Christians refuse to believe what is implied in Scripture. Just because you don't "get it" does not mean it does not exist.

Okay , Don't get you knickers in a wad.

You win..
......touché

 

[Pearl]

Man's best is never good enough since God expects perfection. So it was not Abel's "best" but Abel's obedience to Gospel truth -- a sinless substitute is required for every sinner in order to approach God and to demonstrate faith in God.

And Jesus was the ultimate sinless substitute. Praise his name.

 

[Harvest 1874]

Faith is a fruit of the Holy Spirit which means he was born again.

Sorry but the scriptures are quite clear, NO ONE was begotten of the spirit until after Pentecost. Our Lord is the Head of the Body, the Church, the first born of the new creation that in all things he might have preeminence. (Col 1:18)

It is the church nominal which teaches that as soon as an individual professes faith in Christ they are born again and are assured a heavenly inheritance. The Scriptures however do not support such a belief and imply that there is much more to it than this.

As we had stated elsewhere many there are who shall awaken in the kingdom with great disappointment when they find themselves in the earthly phase of the kingdom rather than the heavenly phase, all because they never took the time to learn just how true entrance into the spiritual phase of the kingdom was to be obtained.

These will be among those standing outside saying, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’

And the Lord will declare to them, ‘I never knew you...’ (Matt 7:22)

You who made a profession of being my people, but who refused to enter by the straight gate, but rather in consulting the blind guides of Christendom, attempted to enter by another way. ‘I never knew you (that is I never knew you as a part of THIS special heavenly class of called out ones, begotten of my Father's spirit, the elect, the "little flock", the consecrated saints of God )...’

This of course does not imply that they are cast out of the kingdom altogether merely that they won't be sharing in the heavenly phase of the kingdom, but instead will take their share in the earthly phase of the kingdom.