Cain and Abel, 15th-century German depiction from Speculum Humanae Salvationis
"But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell." - Genesis 4:5
Have you ever felt the sting of God not being pleased with your offering? Such was Cain’s story as he displayed the hang-dog look in the presence of the Almighty. Genesis does not tell us why it happened that way. The lesson is that we are not always 100% and in those times, God still speaks to us lovingly:
"And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him." -Genesis 4:6-7
Even though Cain’s first offering was not accepted, there would be more opportunities. He could learn from his error and get it right the next time. Unfortunately, the next time, he got it very wrong and killed his brother in a jealous rage.
It is one thing to be confronted with our own imperfection. It is another to be resentful of those who succeed more easily or frequently.
Anger, resentment, jealous, and bitter rivalries are toxic to the core.
Frankly, God has some lessons that can only be taught through disappointment, failure, and discouragement. In those disappointing moments, He wants us to do well, to make the right choices, and to master sin in our lives.
These are not times for excuses, but for exponential growth.
Sin almost has mind of its own. Sin's purpose is to become our master. God’s will is for us to master sin.
That comes through choice.
Cain made the wrong choice and then compounded that wrong choice with an even worse choice and it cost him everything.
What does it take to have our offering accepted?
Do the right thing.
What is the right thing for you?
The answer is found in the New Testament:
"By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh." -Hebrews 11:4
God invites us to come to Him by faith.
Whatever is not of faith is sin.
Through faith comes righteousness and we make the right choices and bring acceptable offerings. God counts our faith as “doing well” and it gives birth to all sorts of good deeds as it brightens the countenance.
The story could have ended differently, but it is enacted, recorded, and retold to explain much about our motives, our wars, and our downward spiraling relationships. It speaks to us where we are today about where we may be tomorrow.
