Genesis 3:1-24, 4:1-7. continuation
In the few verses of chapter 4:1-7 we have the story of the first family on earth. However, we need to remember that the family was instituted by God.
We note that Cain was a farmer whereas Abel was a shepherd. Both professions were related to God's creation. God instructed Adam to till the ground and look after the animal creation. We see here the age old traditions passed on by parents to their children, from generation to generation. Apart from their work and daily routine we also notice something else-Worship. Both sons, in the course of running their daily lives recognize the need to come before God and offer their gifts. How did they know about Worship or what led them to such practice? Perhaps the answer lay deep in their own hearts. Why do we gather together to Worship? Simply because deep in our hearts we have the urge to do so and give reverence to God. Worship means to Serve. Cain and Abel were no different from us plus of course the fact that their parents told them about the relationship they had with God. Most of us have heard something about God from some source. Nothing strange about the need to Worship. Remember the woman at the well? John 4:21-14. However, it is one thing to talk about Worship but another thing to actually practice it or agree what form it should take.
Cain and Abel found soon enough what was required of them in Worship. They both brought offerings to the Lord from the labour of their hands. These were free-will offerings that nobody forced them to make. Worship must stem from deep within our hearts and come out freely-Rom 12:1. How then should Worship be? The answer was given by the Lord to the woman at the well-
'In Spirit and in Truth' . God will only accept Worship when it is offered by the Holy Spirit in agreement with His Word. Cain found out early enough in Creation that worship involves coming before God in the prescribed way that He laid out.
We read however, that Abel's offering is accepted by God whereas Cain's is rejected. Does God reject our Worship and our offerings? The Bible makes it clear that sometimes He does. The obvious question then is, what kind of Worship and free will offering is accepted by God? We are told in verse 4 that Abel brought to the Lord of his flocks and the Lord had respect for it. In other words, Abel knew what kind of Worship and offering was accepted. He did not have a Bible so that he could read and studly it neither did he go to the local Church. As a son of Adam and Eve he received knowledge about God from his parents. He knew that God sacrificed an animal to clothe his parents. He knew that sacrificing an animal was not just to clothe people but also something more than that. It was a blood sacrifice.
As believers, we walk by Faith and by not by sight. We should know what is expected from us in our walk with God and we should not need to be told every morning what shoe to put on. The Lord Jesus referred to Abel as 'Righteous' . Cain knew about those tings concerning God but he chose to go his own different way, like so many believers. What was behind Cain's reaction? Pride? Ps.10:4.
God rejected Cain's offering and he felt unhappy about the whole thing but God pointed out to him that his heart was filled with envy and hatred. Sounds familiar? Remember Joseph and his brothers? 1 John 3:13 tells us not to be surprised if the world hates us. The Bible warns that if someone wants to live a godly life he shall suffer persecution. Persecution comes not only from the world but also from carnal believers-1 John 3:11-12. End.
In the few verses of chapter 4:1-7 we have the story of the first family on earth. However, we need to remember that the family was instituted by God.
We note that Cain was a farmer whereas Abel was a shepherd. Both professions were related to God's creation. God instructed Adam to till the ground and look after the animal creation. We see here the age old traditions passed on by parents to their children, from generation to generation. Apart from their work and daily routine we also notice something else-Worship. Both sons, in the course of running their daily lives recognize the need to come before God and offer their gifts. How did they know about Worship or what led them to such practice? Perhaps the answer lay deep in their own hearts. Why do we gather together to Worship? Simply because deep in our hearts we have the urge to do so and give reverence to God. Worship means to Serve. Cain and Abel were no different from us plus of course the fact that their parents told them about the relationship they had with God. Most of us have heard something about God from some source. Nothing strange about the need to Worship. Remember the woman at the well? John 4:21-14. However, it is one thing to talk about Worship but another thing to actually practice it or agree what form it should take.
Cain and Abel found soon enough what was required of them in Worship. They both brought offerings to the Lord from the labour of their hands. These were free-will offerings that nobody forced them to make. Worship must stem from deep within our hearts and come out freely-Rom 12:1. How then should Worship be? The answer was given by the Lord to the woman at the well-
'In Spirit and in Truth' . God will only accept Worship when it is offered by the Holy Spirit in agreement with His Word. Cain found out early enough in Creation that worship involves coming before God in the prescribed way that He laid out.
We read however, that Abel's offering is accepted by God whereas Cain's is rejected. Does God reject our Worship and our offerings? The Bible makes it clear that sometimes He does. The obvious question then is, what kind of Worship and free will offering is accepted by God? We are told in verse 4 that Abel brought to the Lord of his flocks and the Lord had respect for it. In other words, Abel knew what kind of Worship and offering was accepted. He did not have a Bible so that he could read and studly it neither did he go to the local Church. As a son of Adam and Eve he received knowledge about God from his parents. He knew that God sacrificed an animal to clothe his parents. He knew that sacrificing an animal was not just to clothe people but also something more than that. It was a blood sacrifice.
As believers, we walk by Faith and by not by sight. We should know what is expected from us in our walk with God and we should not need to be told every morning what shoe to put on. The Lord Jesus referred to Abel as 'Righteous' . Cain knew about those tings concerning God but he chose to go his own different way, like so many believers. What was behind Cain's reaction? Pride? Ps.10:4.
God rejected Cain's offering and he felt unhappy about the whole thing but God pointed out to him that his heart was filled with envy and hatred. Sounds familiar? Remember Joseph and his brothers? 1 John 3:13 tells us not to be surprised if the world hates us. The Bible warns that if someone wants to live a godly life he shall suffer persecution. Persecution comes not only from the world but also from carnal believers-1 John 3:11-12. End.
