Cain and Abel

I never fully understood why Abel's sacrifice was better accepted over Cain's.  But then I read something that made me realize that it was about the Lamb and was to be another prophecy about Jesus and His church.

In Genesis 4:2-8, we learn that Abel was a shepherd and Cain was a farmer.  When they were old enough to bring their own sacrifices, Abel brings the first of his flock and God respects the offering.  Cain brought the fruit of the ground and God did not respect nor acknowledge it.

Why?  I believe the answer is in the chapter before.  Because Adam and Eve sinned, God curses the ground.  Afterwards, God makes a blood sacrifice in order to make Adam and Eve clothes made from skins. "21Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them."

The offering of sacrifices to cover sin was first started in the Garden of Eden.  It was done through the shedding of blood.  Abel understood this and offered a lamb.  Cain offered a sacrifice from the cursed ground.  Abel did it God's way and Cain did it his own way.  After God did not accept the sacrifice, Cain was upset - so much so that he kills his brother in rage.

I want to point out that the sacrifice of a lamb being acceptable to the Lord God as payment of sin is used throughout the Bible.  Jesus Christ is the final "paid in full" payment of sin. John 1:29 says, "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."

Finally, it's a warning to us.  When we do things our own way instead of God's way, we shouldn't expect God to be very pleased.  When we do things in our own strength and will, why do we think God would be pleased?  Unlike Cain, we should humble ourselves and ask God for forgiveness as He is slow to anger and His mercy overflows.

Secondly, if Jesus' blood sacrifice on the cross seems messy and unnecessary, ask God for clarity and His understanding on this matter.  If a blood sacrifice wasn't necessary, then Jesus would not have had to come to pay a price that could not be paid any other way.  The Lamb of God's blood was shed for the payment of our sins.  Jesus, himself, was without sin.  He, himself, was blameless.

Cain's sacrifice was not acceptable and in Cain's refusal to humble himself, He became cursed.  "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6).  Only by accepting the blood sacrifice and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, shall a person be saved.  Those that want to get to heaven any other way, like Cain, will be cursed.

Further, it warns the Church.  Adam and Eve wore the skins from God's sacrifice.  They were marked under God's care and mercy.  We, too, are marked or sealed when we believe.  Ephesians 1:13 says, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise."  Those that do not believe Jesus is the Lamb of God will hate the true Church of believers just as Jesus, himself, told us the unbelievers would.