Christian Stories - Bible Study Online

"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.'" (Genesis 4:6-7)

Our journey has now taken us to Adam and Eve's sons, which were named Cain and Abel.

Cain name which means (spear), and Abel name which means (son), were the first children that were born unto Adam and Eve.

Cain was the first to be born unto Adam and Eve and Abel was the second.

We are not told how much time had passed between the births of the two boys. Because of this, some seem to think that they were perhaps twins.

I for one don't agree with that assessment, being that the scriptures would have made it clear that the two were twins, just like they did during the account of Isaac's sons - Esau and Jacob or Tamar's boys - Pharez and Zarah.

Now, when it comes to Cain, the scriptures lets us know that he was really good with building and tilling the ground.

Because of his talents when it came to being a man of the soil, he would begin to bring the Lord fruit that he was able to cultivate from the ground as an offering. For Cain was very proud of his talents and gifts when it came to building and tilling the ground.

When it comes to Abel, we are told that he was good at working and managing the flocks. This would make Abel the first shepherd to be recorded in the Bible. As time went on, Abel began to bring the Lord, the fat portions from the first born, that were from his flocks.

At this point we find that God is showing favor towards Abel for the offerings that he was bringing to the Lord.

But when it came to Cain's offering, were are told that the Lord was not pleased. Because of this Cain became envious of Abel.

Was Cain being treated unfairly? It's interesting to know why God prefer Abel's offering over his older brother Cain.

"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.'" (Genesis 4:6-7)

Now when we take a look at this scripture, we will find that there had to be some type of command that was already in place for the boys to follow.

For we find that God is reminding Cain, that if he would do what is right - all will be well. People seem to miss this very important part where Cain is reminded and warned by God about his actions.

How else would Cain know what is right, unless there had been some type of command or law that was already laid out? Plus we find that the brothers already had some type of fellowship going on with the Lord.

Note: These commands have nothing to do with the 'Ten Commandments' for the 'Great Exodus,' had not occurred yet.

Let's go a little deeper on why Abel's offering was favored over Cain's?

Now this is speculation, but if we were to look at the judgments that were laid out against humanity, because of the sins that their parents Adam and Eve had committed not to long ago from this point in time.

We will find that from those judgments that had been laid out, the ground had been cursed by God:

"Cursed is the ground because of you (Adam); through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life." (Genesis 3:17)

So what does this mean exactly? Why would it affect Cain's offering to God?

In my opinion? Cain was trying to offer up to God an offering that came from something that was already cursed by the Creator.

Keep in mind that Cain knew this, but refused to follow the command or law that was in place at the time. He was also warned about his actions several times over by God.

He could have easily purchase a first born lamb from Abel with his fruit, and stayed within God's permissive will. Instead, he allowed his pride to take over and so therefore developed a jealous heart towards his brother. Abel had earned great favor and benefited from a good relationship with God.

Now let's take a look at why Abel's offering drew favor from God.

"Then the eyes of them both were open, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves." (Genesis 3:7)

Now when we look at this scripture, we will find that when Adam and Eve eyes were open, they saw that they were naked and then they tried to hid themselves from the Lord.

After that, God had passed judgment against them. But here's a very important scripture that should be remembered and it applies to this situation with Cain and Abel.

"The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them."(Genesis 3:21)

The scripture above points out, how God had made coats of skin and clothed Adam & Eve. Now the Bible doesn't say that an animal was sacrifice for their sins, but we are assuming that this was the case.

Now if we were to take a closer look, we would find that the sacrificing of the animal was symbolic in showing a perfect example when it comes to forgiveness and salvation, that the Lord provides.

Although God had cast them out from the 'Garden of Eden,' He did not destroy them for their sins, but instead provided for them. Now perhaps, we could see why Abel offering was choice in God's eyes?

The sacrificing of the first born sheep allowed Abel to bring God a offering that came from something that was pure and not cursed. The sacrificing of the animal is the same type of sacrifice that God used to spare their parents Adam and Eve.

So it's only fitting that this same type of sacrifice would be the example that should be followed. Being that God used that example to spare humanity from His wrath.

For this offering example would continue to be practiced until the ultimate sacrifice would be made with the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ.

01) God Creates the Earth

02) Let there be Light

03) Adam the Highlight

04) The Garden of Eden

05) Adam & Eve - A Second Creation Account?

06) Adam & Eve - The Fall of Humanity

07) Adam & Eve - Banished From The Garden of Eden

08) <-CURRENT PAGE->

09) Cain Banished From The Land

10) The Prophet Enoch

11) Son's of God - Daughters of Men

12) Wicked Giants in the Earth