Raising Cain

The first time in scripture that animal sacrifice is mentioned is in Genesis 4. A casual reading of this chapter leads one to believe that Cain and Abel knew what God required for sacrifices. Abel presented a firstborn lamb and the best parts of it as a sacrifice. Cain presented God with fruit and vegetables from his harvest.
And God had no regard for Cain's sacrifice.
But God did not accept Cain's fruit.
But upon Cain and his offering, He did not look.

I wonder how God acknowledged Abel's offering. There is speculation by a number of Bible scholars that God sent fire down from heaven to consume the lamb, indicating favor or acceptance of the offering.

A blood offering was required in the ancient sacrificial system because it pointed ahead to Christ's sacrifice. Fruit points toward nothing. Except that it was fruit that was involved in the fall of Adam and Eve. Blood is not aesthetic and killing a lamb would be disheartening, to say the least. But apparently, God told the first family what was expected for sacrifices and Cain thought it would be less offensive to offer fruit and vegetables instead of a dead animal.

Interesting, too, that because God accepted Abel and not Cain, Abel paid for doing right with his life. We do not have any record that Abel chided Cain or that he acted superior because of being right. Maybe he tried to point out to Cain that God expects obedience, and that it is a simple thing to do what has been requested. Unfortunately, the right thing is not always popular.

I was thinking about the importance of obedience when I recently read Genesis 4. For those who think that obedience means legalism, they should look over this chapter. God is serious about the imperatives He issues. There aren't a whole lot of them, but the laws and requirements outlined in the Bible are not optional.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
Seek the Lord with all your heart, mind, and soul.
Be sure to entertain strangers.
Do not lie or behave in deceitful ways.
Don't covet what other people have.
Put your money where your heart is
Remember to keep the Sabbath holy.

Now speaking of our own ideas of what is right--there's a commandment that has been changed to reflect what people think would be better than what God established and lived by while on earth.

I think all of us have some way of turning a blind eye to a command of God and substituting something that is easier, more accepted, more fun, or that seems to pay off more than the old, boring requirements. Exaggerate the truth to make a story more interesting. Allow your mind to wander into forbidden areas: What would it be like to make love to someone other than who I am married to? Say something hasty and unsavory to your parent because their behavior is grating. Deny the name of Christ by your behavior.
We all do it in some way--do whatever we think works better than what God clearly states. Then we are resentful of those who don't do as we do.
All the while, God is at our elbow asking, Is your way going to get you what you want and what is best for you?

The Bible says that although Abel is dead, his blood still speaks from the ground. His example of absolute obedience, whether or not he understood the sacrificial issue or not, is for us today.

Obedience is vital. Would you obey even if it would cost your life?
Food for thought.