::Monday, March 08, 2004::
:: Cain's Two-fold singular rejection from God ::

Greetings in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ's name. In Genesis 4:3, we have an account of Cain giving his offerings from the fruits of the ground to the Lord. And in verse 4 onwards, God rejected Cain's offering, and cursed him from the earth. The question is, why was Cain's offering been rejected?

God must have taught Adam and Eve, to offer blood offerings to Him. This doctrine was passed down to Cain and Abel. But Cain was a tiller of the ground, and Abel was a keeper of sheep. God's commandment was to bring the firstling of sheep and offer it to the Lord. This is the truth and commandment from God. Fruits like bananas, apples or pears were not allowed to be used as offerings to the Lord. But why God rejected Cain's offering?

1. His attitude towards the offerings was wrong. Adam and Eve taught them, and he took it lightly. Therefore, God rejected Cain's offering and punished him with hardwork on the ground and identified
as fugutive and a vagabond.

2. The offering itself presented to the Lord was wrong. The commandment given by God Himself was animal sacrifice, and not fruit planting. Therefore, God rejected Cain's offering and punished him.

Abel presented an offering pleasing to the Lord, and he did it by faith in the Lord. (Heb 11:4). On the other hand, Cain disregarded the importance of blood in sacrifices. He disregarded the substitution atonement that later was fulfilled completely in the crucifixion of Christ.

While both of them were in the field, Cain's evil jealousy over took his mind, and murdered Abel. It was also the first murder found in the Bible. As God has promised that He will bring up a child, born of a woman's seed, to bruise the old serpent's head in Genesis 3:15, Adam and Eve gave birth to Seth. He was chosen by God to carry on the messianic line.

Lesson to learn. A good intention does not overrides the truth, if the good intention rides on error. After we have received the salvation by faith and through grace alone, we should take heed to God's commandment and law. What pleased God, when Abel offered the firstlings of the sheep? It was faith. For without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). God bless my dear brethrens!

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