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In Genesis Chap. 4, God rejected the sacrifice that Cain offered, which was the firstfruits of his efforts, because he was a tiller of ground. He accepted his brothers offering, and was pleased with it. This stirred up evil passions that lay dormant within, driving him to actually kill his brother, and then lie about it. Why did God reject this offering to begin with?
Thank you Amblessed... and yes, I agree with you on the answer.
Filet, I posted the question, to provoke thought, and to bring share truth. As some do not know the reason for this. Which is very important.
The bible says that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins, or forgiveness. All the way thru the bible, blood was required. God wants us to know the seriousness of sin, and that sin brings death.
Cain offered what he grew, and while this is well and good, it was not acceptable to God. The same applies today, if we try to earn our way into heaven. We think we can be very good, and be accepted. Not so. It is Gods heaven, and if we want to enter it, we have to abide by his rules. And the first one, is that it requires a blood sacrifice to atone for our sins. Nothing else will do. Nothing else is acceptable. And now, since we are on this side of the Cross , the blood of Jesus is the requirement.
God offered the best he had, to meet his own righteous requirement. To purchase us back from where we had fallen. If there had been obedience from the begining, this would not have been necessary, however, begining with Adam and Eve, disobeying the one command that God gave for them to live by, sin has reigned ever since.
There is no sin in heaven, and we are all welcome, but, since we are being invited in, we have to abide by the hosts requirements. We cannot get there on our own. We have to come by the way, that God has provided.
Silverwings, I assume you are asking this as a rhetorical question since you probably know the Bible as well as anyone here.
The explination I most often heard was that Abel offered the best he had, his firsborn sheep and fat while Cain brought some produce, perhaps even surplus that he wouldn't miss. I most often heard this explination when preachers were asking their congregation to contribute more money and not just was comfortable.
My interpretation comes from the fact that Cain killed Abel. The fact that Cain killed Abel showed that his offering was not made in the spirit of sacrifice. Instead of being humbled by God rejecting his offering he became angry at his brother. Basically Cain's heart wasn't really into it.
The Biblical story of Cain and Abel is believed by some scholars to be based on a Sumerian story about the conflict between nomadic shepards and farmers.
oh my goodness silverwings... I can't speak for filletofspam but sometimes people who are seeking the truth explore and question and challenge before their hearts open. it is not always that they are strong in unbelief, sometimes their hearts are crying out for belief. but their minds are fighting. please, more compassion. is it your mission in life to make an unbeliever leave a sight that just might be the key that opens the heart?
...and that's why today we say "it's the thought that counts"!
If only Cain had put more thought into his pressie...something heartfelt and perhaps some nicer giftwrapping and one of those classy bows. Shopping for God is so difficult though...what do you get for the Guy who made everything?
A last minute gift voucher from the local hardware store clearly won't cut it with God.
Thanks for saying that silverwings, to believe in God you have to have FAITH. Without it, there's no way you're going to understand. You dont want to understand or even give Him a chance, I dont understand why people get so passionate about getting the point across that there is no God. If you dont believe, fine, why do you care? and why are you so adamant about it?
To be accurate, you're not a Christian because you at this time reject God and His free offer of Salvation through His son Jesus Christ - Hopefully someday you'll realize the significance of Christ's sacrifice on the cross for you, before it's too late - none of us are guaranteed tomorrow.
Filet, is impossible to explain the truth of Gods word to someone that is as strong in unbelief as you are. Why are you here on this board? Is it your mission in life to oppose everything that is said about the bible?
I guess the idea of a blood thirsty God just seems too bizare to me. I guess that's why I'm not a Christian. Thanks for the lesson.
It's my understanding, because it wasn't a required 'blood' sacrifice.
Because God's a bit snobbish.
