After Adam and Eve were expelled from the beautiful garden of Eden, Eve became pregnant, and the first-ever, human baby was born. I wonder how they felt. They called their son Cain, and, later, gave him a brother, Abel. As the boys grew, they developed life skills, Cain becoming an arable farmer and Abel a shepherd. “When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to [Yahweh]. Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. [Yahweh] accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift” [Genesis 4:3-4].
This rejection bothered me. Again and again I asked, “Why didn’t Yahweh accept Cain’s offering?” Both men offered the results of their labours. Cain spent his life working the land, which Yahweh had commanded, so what was wrong with his sacrifice? He wasn’t just upset, he was furious. “Why are you so angry?” Yahweh asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right.” What was it Cain had to do? What was ‘right’ for him? There are many theories, but we’re not told. We do know the anger raged in Cain until finally he murdered Abel [4:8]. His punishment was banishment, and Eve lost both her sons that day!
Sacrifice is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. Yahshua and the early apostles all taught its continuing importance; we’re required to offer ourselves to Yahweh [Romans 12:1]. But how can we know if our offering will be acceptable? Is it possible? My search for clues about Cain’s rejection ended when Yahweh showed me, “It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to [Yahweh] than Cain.” [Hebrews 11:4, italics mine]. It wasn’t about the gift, but the attitude of the giver! Yahweh did assure Cain of acceptance if he did what was right!
Yahweh has plans for each of us. We’re required to submit our own plans to His, and to offer Him whatever He asks. As we do this by faith the offerings and sacrifices we make throughout our lives will be acceptable.
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The Test Of LoveWe look at our lives through a spiritual lens now, as we see how our actions as husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, friends and coaches, workers and employers relate to [Yahweh's] will.
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