May 25-31: Cain and Abel Offer Sacrifices (1)

SACRED ALTARS AND HOLY GIFTS

Unit I - The Genesis of Altars and Sacrifices (5 lessons)

1. Cain and Abel Offer Sacrifices (lesson 1 of 5)

Daily Bible Meditations by Jasmine Lynch

Sunday, May 25: Proverbs 3:1-10

Recognizing that everything we have comes from God, Solomon advised us to honor God with the firstfruits (v.9, KJV). This does not apply to adults only but to all ages. What are your firstfruits if you are not a farmer? A child begins to learn in the mother's womb. You can start teaching them to honor God by praying and singing over them. Teach them at an early age to give God their firstfruits: money from what they have earned for their chores, birthdays, good grades, etc. From there they can learn to give the best of their time and talents as well. These are their firstfruits. When they honor God with them, they will be blessed with plenty, favor, and good understanding (v.4, KJV).

Monday, May 26: Hebrews 10:26-34

Are you struggling with your faith in this tumultuous time? To whom do you go when you are struggling? The writer of Hebrews said, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (v.31, KJV). We should avoid sin so as not to become "a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions" (v.33, KJV). The blood of Jesus sanctifies us, but He will judge His people if they sin willfully. Let us have compassion on those who are struggling and share what we have with others joyfully, knowing that we have in heaven "a better and an enduring substance" (v.34, KJV).

Tuesday, May 27: Hebrews 10:35-11:4

Much is said in these verses about turning back. We are encouraged to live by faith: "For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry" (v.37, KJV). We are also encouraged to have patience and to endure in doing God's will, so we can receive His promises. It is easy to give up and question our faith when we are surrounded by so much evil. We live by faith, and if we turn back, God will have no pleasure in us. It is by faith that our elders received a good report. Can others give a good report of your faith?

Wednesday, May 28: Acts 5:1-11

What a powerful God we serve! He knows everything! He also has the power to reveal to others that which He knows, so that they can display His power. Peter did not know what effect his words would have on Ananias and Sapphira - and even the whole church. He was just doing what he had been called to do. As servants of God, we often serve and give our resources half-heartedly. We try to impress others, but God is not impressed when we do not love and serve Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. What lessons can you and your church learn from this incident with Ananias and Sapphira?

Thursday, May 29: Luke 20:45-21:4

"The Lord does not see as man sees: for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7, NKJV). Jesus denounced the scribes, who dressed to impress but at the same time devoured widow's houses and made long prayers. He contrasted their behavior with that of the poor widow, who gave to the Lord all that she had. The rich will be judged for giving without sacrifice, but the widow who gave two mites sacrificed all that she had, and she was commended. No matter how small your resources, God expects you to give your all.

Friday, May 30: Revelation 6:9-17

„Gekommen ist der große Tag seines Zorns, und wer kann bestehen?“ (Vers 17) Beim Lesen dieses Textes kam mir das Bild der Bewohner Kaliforniens in den Sinn, die vor den jüngsten (zum Zeitpunkt dieses Schreibens) lodernden Bränden aus ihren Häusern und Gemeinden flohen. Selbst Feuerwehrleute konnten ihre eigenen Häuser nicht retten. Der Tag des Zorns Gottes wird noch schrecklicher sein. Wir müssen aus unserem Schlaf erwachen und die Frohe Botschaft der Erlösung verbreiten. Der Tag seiner Wiederkunft ist nahe. Wir erleben Schrecken durch die Elemente und unvorstellbare Schrecken durch Menschen in dieser von Sünde geprägten Welt. Dies sind Zeichen der Tage vor S einer Wiederkunft.

SABBAT, 31. Mai 2025: Genesis/ 1. Mose 4:1-15

How did Cain and Abel know what were acceptable gifts and worship to God? One can only conjecture that their parents, who walked and talked with God, had taught them what God had commanded. However, Cain chose to do it his own way, while Abel chose to do it God's way. Adam and Eve were cast out of the garden, but God still communicated with them and with Cain and Abel many years later (v.4-5). Cain was angry when God did not receive his offering. God spoke to Cain about his anger, but Cain did not take heed. Is there something you are doing today with which you know God is not pleased? What will you do about it?

Reading:

Study: Genesis 4:1-16

Background: Genesis 4:1-25

Devotional: Luke 20:45-21:4

Key Verse:

 „Und der HERR sprach zu Kain: Warum bist du so wütend, und warum senkt sich dein Angesicht? Ist es nicht so: Wenn du Gutes tust, so darfst du dein Haupt erheben? Wenn du aber nicht Gutes tust, so lauert die Sünde vor der Tür, und ihr Verlangen ist auf dich gerichtet; du aber sollst über sie herrschen!“ (Genesis/ 1. Mose 4:6-7)

Heart of the Lesson:

Giving gifts to show appreciation and honor is a common practice. How do we expect our gifts to be received? From their very livelihood, Cain and Abel offered gifts to God, but Cain grew angry because Abel's gift was more pleasing to God.

Questions for Studying the Text:

1. When have you given someone a gift that they rejected? How did you feel about the rejection? What emotions and thought processes did you experience? What did you do about it?
2. What does the word "offering" mean in this passage, and how was it used in other parts of the Old Testament (e.g., Leviticus 2:1-3)? Compare and contrast the offerings of Cain and Able. Why did God accept Abel's offering but not Cain's (see also Hebrews 11:4)?
3. What do you imagine Cain was feeling after God "had no regard" (v.5) for him or his offering? How did Cain react to God's rejection, and what does this reveal about his heart? Have you ever, like Cain, struggled with feelings of jealousy or comparison? How can you guard your heart against resentment?
4. What warning did God give Cain in verse 7, and how does this apply to our struggles with sin today? What does the imagery of "sin is lurking" suggest about the nature of sin? How did Cain's actions align with the pattern of sin described in James 1:13-15?
5. What does this passage teach about the attitude of worship? What changes would make your offerings more like Abel's?
6. How does this passage challenge your understanding of justice and mercy? How can you extend grace to others as God did with Cain?

Understanding and Living - Ericessen Cooper

First Things First 

The book of Genesis records the beginning of the heavens and the earth, which means that what follows the Creation account is a series of "firsts". In Genesis 4, we see the first recorded birth (Cain). God had created Adam from the dust of the ground and Eve by using one of Adam's ribs (Genesis 2:21-23). The birth of Cain introduced the first child to historical records, followed by his sibling, Abel, as noted in Scripture. In Genesis 4, we see the first birth, first family, first sibling and the first ac- count of a family tragedy. Other "firsts" we find within Genesis 4 include the first recorded act (after the fall) of worship, the first recorded sacrifice to God, and the first murder - of a family member no less.

God's Prescription for Worship

Throughout Scripture, God has revealed to His people the proper method for the worship of Himself. The book of Leviticus outlines the different feasts and sacrifices He would require from the children of Israel. To worship God in an unworthy manner was to bring reproach to His name, which was something that He did not take lightly. With the birth of Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit, the method of worship changed, but the mandate did not. Today the mandate remains the same, and thankfully we have the Word of God that instructs us in the proper worship of God.

Looking at Genesis 4, we do not see written instructions spelling out what worship was to look like. Moses did not write them down. I believe, however, that we can make some logical inferences from the text. Genesis 4:2 gives us some information about Cain and Abel. Abel tended and watched over the flocks of sheep as a shepherd. Cain worked in the fields to produce crops for sustenance as a farmer. Both were noble professions, necessary to the well-being of their families. The problem was not found in their professions, but rather in their presentation of their offerings to God.

Genesis 4:3 tells us that in the course of time, Cain and Abel came to bring an offering before the Lord. We have no idea how old the brothers were at this point. What we do know is that they went to a specific place for a specific purpose. While Scripture does not record how they knew where to go or what to offer as an offering, I believe that this was taught by Adam and Eve. They certainly knew what perfection looked like before the fall. They also knew all too well what sin was and what were the devastating effects that sin brought to the entire human race. They knew shame and conviction as well as the covering that was provided by God in the form of innocent blood that was shed to cover them. They knew of sin, but they also knew of God's grace. Scripture does not record the details of those conversations, but it is obvious they had taken place and that these brothers knew the importance of sacrificial offerings to the Lord.

The Sacrificial Method Matters

Genesis 4:3 records that Cain brought, as an offering to the Lord, the fruit of the ground. He brought produce. Nothing else is said. Was it the best of his crop? We do not know, but based on the different descriptions, it most likely was not. Was it based on the first fruits that were later described in the Mosaic law? It certainly does not reference that in any way. Abel brought the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. Notice the difference in the descriptions. The description of Abel's sacrifice is quite striking compared to Cain's sacrifice. Abel brought the very best of his flock before the Lord. His sacrifice is a reminder of what is written in Genesis 3:21, where God clothed Adam and Eve in animal skins to cover their nakedness. Innocent blood was shed to do this, which is a picture of Christ. His innocent blood was shed for us to take away our sin.

Genesis 4:4-5 states that God had regard for Abel and his offering, but did not have the same regard for Cain and his offering, which caused him to become angry. God explained to Cain: Do well, and you will be accepted. If you do not do well, you will not be accepted. He further illustrated that to be acceptable to God, and for God to accept his sacrifice, Cain must overcome the domineering nature of sin, which was likened to a wild beast that longed to consume him.

Genesis 4:8 continues to outline their family tragedy. Cain had a choice - God had explained it to him clearly and audibly. He knew that it was God speaking, yet he chose to let that "crouching sin" consume him. This act of disobedience to God led to Cain murdering his brother in the field. Nothing is hidden from God, even in a field. Knowing what he had done, God pronounced judgement on evil Cain. He would no longer be successful at working the ground, and he would be consigned to being a fugitive and wanderer on the earth. Cain's social status as a wanderer would cause him to be looked at as undesirable and uncivilized. Was this a harsh punishment? Cain thought so! Genesis 4:13-14 describes Cain as being distraught. He said, "My punishment is greater than I can bear" (v.13, ESV). Cain feared retribution, yet God gave him a mark that is defined as divine protection from those that would kill him. Cain would live out the rest of his days with unfruitful labor and the guilt of what he had done.

God not only describes what worship is to look like, He also prescribes it. He gives us the model to follow, and we are to follow it. Hebrews 11:4 states that by faith Abel offered a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain and that through it, Abel was considered righteous. On the other hand, Jude 11 warns us not to be like Cain, Balaam, and Korah. This is quite a dis- tinction between these two brothers. They were from the same family; they had both heard the same accounts from their parents; they were brought up in the same environment; yet they were totally different. The difference between the two brothers came down to what they believed -what was within their hearts. True worship looks at God as He is and recognizes that God requires our devotion and obedience.

Hints for Teaching:

Lesson Goals:

1. Evaluate God's choice of Abel's sacrificial gift over Cain's gift.
2. Empathize with Cain's anger that his gift was rejected.
3. Design a practice of giving that deepens our connection of giving with worship.

Teaching Activity:

Assign two participants to act as Cain and Abel. Have them improvise a short dialogue based on Genesis 4:3-8. After the skit, brainstorm reasons for God's acceptance of Abel's sacrifice over Cain's in light of Scripture's claim that God does not show partiality (Deuteronomy 10:17; Acts 10:34). How do our attitudes affect our worship? Next ask: What emotions did Cain display? How could Cain have responded differently? How do we handle frustration when we feel rejected or overlooked? As a group, plan ways that we can give offerings to God that will deepen our connection of giving with worship.

Looking Forward:

Cain and Abel demonstrated the importance of attitude in worship. Next, Noah's of- fering after the Flood will demonstrate the value of expressing gratitude to God.