Yesterday our family read the passage which spoke of Cain and Abel and their offerings to God. Cain was a tiller of the ground, and Abel was a keeper of sheep. These are both useful and worthy occupations, providing great benefits for man and beast. Out of the bounty God provided them these men chose to present an offering before the LORD. Until this point in the Bible there had been no mention of offerings and no clear command from God what would be acceptable.
Genesis 4:3-5 reads, "And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell." When I heard this passage discussed in my youth there was great emphasis placed on the different offerings themselves. I have come to believe the offering itself was not as significant as the heart in the man who brought the offering. God was not hating on Cain's fruit, nor was he partial to an offering from the flock. God had respect unto Abel's offering because He had received faithful Abel. The word "respect" is also translated "look." The rejection of Cain's offering simply confirmed His rejection of Cain.
Cain was furious his sacrifice had not been looked upon favourably or received, and God graciously spoke to him. He warned Cain that sin crouched at the door, for God knew well the bitterness and murder which percolated in him. Cain shrugged off the words of the Almighty God, and the next thing we read is Cain killed his brother Abel in the field. I am certain that if Cain chose to repent and humble himself after God spoke with Him, I believe his offering of firstfruits would have been received. But because his heart was stubborn, proud, and selfish, God would receive nothing from Cain's hand. Trees are known by their fruit, and the murder of Abel was clear outward evidence of a sinful heart only God could see before sin was fully grown.
This connection between our hearts and the offering God accepts in seen in Isaiah 66:1-2: "Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? 2 For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist," says the LORD. "But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word." God looks for people who have broken, contrite hearts. He searches hearts and minds to see who regards and looks to His Word. If we will not regard Him, why should He look upon our offering or sacrifice with thanks? Our faith is accounted to us as righteousness, and it is he who has clean hands and a pure heart who shall ascend to the LORD and stand in His holy place (Ps. 24:3-5).
This passage shows God does not receive all sacrifices, praises, or prayers offered Him. He looks upon the heart, and it is the heart which humbly opens to Him where He will dwell. Jesus said to the church in Laodicea in Revelation 3:20: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." Jesus has offered Himself for us so we can have fellowship with one another. Those who look to Him in faith demonstrated by obedience Jesus knows and will receive, and according to His grace their offerings are acceptable in His sight. Until our hearts are His and purified what will He receive from our hand?
Genesis 4:3-5 reads, "And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell." When I heard this passage discussed in my youth there was great emphasis placed on the different offerings themselves. I have come to believe the offering itself was not as significant as the heart in the man who brought the offering. God was not hating on Cain's fruit, nor was he partial to an offering from the flock. God had respect unto Abel's offering because He had received faithful Abel. The word "respect" is also translated "look." The rejection of Cain's offering simply confirmed His rejection of Cain.
Cain was furious his sacrifice had not been looked upon favourably or received, and God graciously spoke to him. He warned Cain that sin crouched at the door, for God knew well the bitterness and murder which percolated in him. Cain shrugged off the words of the Almighty God, and the next thing we read is Cain killed his brother Abel in the field. I am certain that if Cain chose to repent and humble himself after God spoke with Him, I believe his offering of firstfruits would have been received. But because his heart was stubborn, proud, and selfish, God would receive nothing from Cain's hand. Trees are known by their fruit, and the murder of Abel was clear outward evidence of a sinful heart only God could see before sin was fully grown.
This connection between our hearts and the offering God accepts in seen in Isaiah 66:1-2: "Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? 2 For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist," says the LORD. "But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word." God looks for people who have broken, contrite hearts. He searches hearts and minds to see who regards and looks to His Word. If we will not regard Him, why should He look upon our offering or sacrifice with thanks? Our faith is accounted to us as righteousness, and it is he who has clean hands and a pure heart who shall ascend to the LORD and stand in His holy place (Ps. 24:3-5).
This passage shows God does not receive all sacrifices, praises, or prayers offered Him. He looks upon the heart, and it is the heart which humbly opens to Him where He will dwell. Jesus said to the church in Laodicea in Revelation 3:20: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." Jesus has offered Himself for us so we can have fellowship with one another. Those who look to Him in faith demonstrated by obedience Jesus knows and will receive, and according to His grace their offerings are acceptable in His sight. Until our hearts are His and purified what will He receive from our hand?
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