Expert: Scott Talbot - 6/21/2011

Question
Hi Scott

In GENESIS 4:5
But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

Question Scott

Why was it that the Lord didn't repect the gift that Cain brought to the LORD ?

4:6 And the LORD said unto Cain, WHy art thou wroth?

Wouldn't you and I be roth due to the fact that the LORD favored Abel's gift over yours or mine Scott.

You input please Scott.
GOD BLESS YOU SCOTT

Ray M.

Answer
Hi Ray,

At first glance, it appears as though Cain made an honest effort when offering a sacrifice to God. The fact that God rejected Cain's sacrifice implies that He gave careful instructions to both Cain and Abel regarding the offering of a living sacrifice, because only the shedding of blood could atone for sin. (Hebrews 9:22 "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.")

God gave Cain a second chance to make an acceptable sacrifice. Genesis 4:6-7 says, "Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."

In verse 7, the word translated "sin" in the English is the same Hebrew word which means "sin offering." Many scholars believe that God is telling Cain in this verse that a living animal--a sin offering--was crouching at his door. God provided Cain with the proper sacrifice.

Unfortunately, Cain refused to offer God a proper sacrifice. Like many today, he wanted to worship God, but he wanted to do it HIS way. HE wanted to define the terms rather than accepting God's guidelines. This is why Cain's sacrifice ("worship" on his terms, not God's) was not accepted.

I hope this helps.

Scott