The Two Offerings
The contrast between Cain and Abel, as reflected in their names,
did not just concern their personalities; it also was manifested in their
respective occupations. While Cain was “a tiller of the ground” (Gen.
4:2, NKJV), a profession requiring physical hard work, Abel was “a
keeper of sheep” (Gen. 4:2, NKJV), a profession implying sensitivity
and compassion.
Cain was the producer of the fruit of the ground, Abel the keeper of
the sheep. These two occupations not only explain the nature of the
two offerings (fruit of the ground from Cain and a sheep from Abel),
but they also account for the two different psychological attitudes and
mentalities associated with the two offerings: Cain was working to
“acquire” the fruit he would produce, while Abel was careful to “keep”
the sheep he had received.
Read Genesis 4:1–5 and Hebrews 11:4. Why did God accept Abel’s
offering and reject Cain’s offering? How are we to understand
what happened here?
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“Without the shedding of blood there could be no remission of sin;
and they [Cain and Abel] were to show their faith in the blood of Christ
as the promised atonement by offering the firstlings of the flock in
sacrifice. Besides this, the first fruits of the earth were to be presented
before the Lord as a thank offering.”—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and
Prophets, p. 71.
While Abel complied with God’s instructions and offered the
vegetable offering in addition to the animal burnt offering, Cain
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neglected to do so. He didn’t bring an animal to be sacrificed, but only
an offering of “the fruit of the ground.” It was an act of open disobe-
dience, in contrast to the attitude of his brother. Often, this story has
been viewed as a classic case of salvation by faith (Abel and his blood
offering) in contrast to an attempt to earn salvation by works (Cain and
his fruit of the ground).
Although these offerings must have had spiritual significance, they
did not have any magic value in themselves. They were always merely
symbols, images, pointing to the God who provided the sinner not only
sustenance but also redemption.
Read Micah 6:7 and Isaiah 1:11. How can we take the principle
applied in these texts and apply it to our lives and worship?