The story of Cain
and Abel in Genesis 4 is a story of Grace vs. Law, God’s gift of righteousness
vs self righteousness, unmerited favor vs. merit, no condemnation vs. guilt and
condemnation. Abel’s offering represents the righteousness of God but Cain’s
offering represents self righteousness.
Contrary to what
most of us were taught growing up in our Sunday schools. Cain’s offering was
not rejected because he offered unripe or spoilt fruits to God. From his name
Cain which means “Acquired” for Eve said I have gotten a man from the Lord.
They were under the impression that this was the seed of the woman.
So he was raised
up with special treatment and preferred above Abel which such simply means “breath”.
His very name suggests that not much was expected from him. So Cain probably
would have grown up being told continually that he was God’s chosen, that he
was important, that he was “The Man”.
So the time can
for both brothers to offer up something to God. Cain came to God trying to
merit God’s approval, the evidence is in Cain’s reaction. When the Lord did not
respect Cain’s offering he was very angry and his countenance (facial expression)
fell. It is only under the law (the knowledge of good and evil) that we expect
approval from God based on our works, we feel we merit God’s goodness based on
our self righteousness (by the things that we do) and people become very
religious and legalistic.
So why was Abel’s
offering accepted? Is it because it was blood? No
There is no
precedence to suggest that God required blood for offering. Otherwise Cain
would have even offered more blood to obtain God’s approval.
The answer is
found in Hebrews 11:
“Now faith is the
substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For
by it the elders obtained a good testimony.”
“By faith Abel
offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained
witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he
being dead still speaks.” (vs 4”)
“But without
faith it is impossible to please Him,…” (vs 6a)
Paul said in
Ephesians 2:8
“For it is by
grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it
is the gift of God-“
Abel’s sacrifice was
accepted because it was offered through faith. The writer of Hebrews goes a
long way to mention different Old Testament characters that were blessed by God
not because of their good works but through faith in Him.
If there is
anything that matters now to God and always it is faith in his grace. Cain represents
a group of men who would go about seeking to establish their own righteousness
and Abel represents those who just submits to God’s righteousness.
Under grace, His
unmerited favor towards us we are not looking for favor based on our works but
instead we are receiving His unmerited favor based on Christ’s finished work
which came by the sacrifice of blood. Guilt and condemnation which is the root
of sin was taken away at the cross so that we will find acceptance in the beloved
Son.
Under the law you
will not go a day without failing which leads to a life under guilt and
condemnation and guaranteed to be a life of sin having the upper hand in your
life. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but
under grace – Romans 6:14 It is only under grace that sin will not have
dominion over you. Grace is the primary thing!
Live life with
your faith not in your good works or gifts but faith in His grace towards you.
