Genesis 4:1-10 - The Example of Abel

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What can we learn from the example of Abel?

 

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Abel isn't very useful as a teaching aid without his brother Cain for contrast. For
example God's evaluation of the men's offerings was based upon His evaluation of
the men themselves. (Gen 4:4-5)

● Gen 4:7a . . If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?

Cain believed in the existence of a supreme being; that was good, and his ritual
was timely; that was good too. But Cain's piety was flawed, i.e. his personal
conduct didn't satisfy God's expectations, ergo: Cain's ways tainted his offering and
made it unacceptable.

Cain's situation is well illustrated at Isa 1:11-20. Moses' people were offering all the
covenanted sacrifices, they were praying up a storm, and observing all the God
given feasts and holy days. He rejected all of it, even though He himself required it,
because the people's personal conduct was unbecoming. (cf. Prv 15:8)

FAQ: In what way might Cain's piety have been lacking?

REPLY: Well, my first guess would be bad blood between him and his younger
sibling.

● Matt 5:23-24 . . Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there
remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in
front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer
your gift.

And his attitude was deplorable.

● Gen 4:9 . . The Lord said to Cain: Where is your brother Abel? And he said: I
don't know. Am I my brother's keeper?

This religious man's reaction to the object of his worship is just as unexpected as
the murder he committed. Cain worshipped the true God, and his rituals were
correct and timely; yet Cain was insolent and responded to his maker's inquiry with
a lie and a sarcastic rejoinder. It's not too difficult to appreciate God's refusal of this
man's offering.

BTW: There's no indication in the scene suggesting the brother's oblations were
sacrifices for sin. The Hebrew word for their offerings is from minchah (min-khaw')
which basically pertains to donations and/or tributes; and typically bloodless and
voluntary

Ancient rabbis understood the brothers' offerings to be a "first fruits" kind of ritual.

T. And it was at the end of days, on the fourteenth of Nisan, that Kain brought of
the produce of the earth, the seed of cotton (or line), an oblation of first things
before the Lord; and Habel brought of the firstlings of the flock. (Targum Jonathan)

Seeing as how Cain was a farmer, then in his case, an amount of produce was the
appropriate first fruits offering, and seeing as how Abel was an animal
husbandman, then in his case a head of livestock was appropriate.

The incident is not said to be the very first time they brought gifts to God. The
brothers (and very likely their parents too), probably had been bringing gifts for
many years; ever since they were kids. And up to this point, apparently both men
were doing everything right and God was just as much pleased with Cain and his
gifts as He was with Abel and his gifts till Cain went off the rails.

NOTE: God warned Cain that his journey off the rails was potentially a permanent
train wreck.

● Gen 4:7b . . But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door;

This is the very first instance of sin in the Bible. The Hebrew word basically means
an offense; as in repeat offender. In other words; not just an occasional slip-up,
but a life style.

● Gen 4:7c . . it desires to have you, but you must master it.

This is the first mention of self control in the Bible. In other words: God created
humanity with the capability to choose bad ways for itself; but that's only half the
story. God also created humanity with the capability to choose good ways for itself;
so He wasn't requiring something impossible from Cain like touching his right elbow
with the thumb of his right hand.
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