Sibling rivalry isn’t new.
Rare is a family where there isn’t some level of competition between siblings. Parents don’t have to foster it to happen (nor should we foster it!). The sin of pride in us and our own emotional immaturity stir up sibling rivalry in some dramatic ways.
When we finished last week, we were transitioning from the Garden to Adam and Eve making their way in a world marred by their sin. But there was a bright spot: Cain and Abel were born.
As we continue our study of Genesis, we’re in Genesis 4:3-7.
In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
Genesis 4:3-7 New International Version
The phrase at the beginning of our text (“In the course of time” in verse 3) is vague. It doesn’t cast doubt on the story; it just marks an unspecified passage of time. We went from Cain and Abel being born to now they are much older. We don’t know exactly how old they were at this point, but they obviously weren’t infants or little children anymore.
We also see the implication of giving offerings to the Lord. This seemed customary for the brothers; perhaps they learned this from Adam. We simply don’t know if this is a reference meaning “one day this happened” or “this was the first offering they ever presented.” The text is vague, so I am also content to leave it vague. Anything else is speculation.
Let’s look at the offerings of the brothers. Cain brought “some of the fruits of the soil” (verse 4). Cain brought “some,” but there’s no implicit indication of quality. What we do know is that these were not Cain’s “first fruits.” It was not the best and first of his effects.
By contrast, Abel brought “fat portions of some of the firstborn of his flock” (verse 4). This was a valuable offering, and the fat portions and the fact that they were his flocks’ firstborn validated its value.
It may be subtle, but the difference between these two offerings is striking.
And for whatever subtlety we might find between the offerings by Cain and Abel, the Lord’s response is not. The text clearly reveals Abel’s offering was accepted, but Cain’s offering was rejected. It’s important to note that Cain wasn’t rejected, but his offering was.
But why was Cain’s offering rejected and Abel’s accepted by the Lord?
Some suggest it’s because the Lord wanted a blood sacrifice. Later in the Old Testament, this makes a lot of sense, but at this point, there is no indication this offering was required by the Lord. Plus, there were grain and blood offerings given to the Lord.
I think the answer is more obvious- it’s right there in the text: Cain didn’t bring his best. It was “some.” He brought the leftovers, which were of less value.
Whatever the case, the narrative itself focuses our attention on Cain’s response. This is where the narrative seeks to make its point.
What was Cain’s response? He was angry with the Lord (verse 4) and angry with his brother (verse 8). Instead of simply doing it the way God apparently wanted it done, Cain got mad and pouted.
The Lord’s response is similar to how he questions Cain’s parents in Genesis 3. The Lord asked questions to give Cain space to confess. The Lord knew the jealousy in Cain’s heart. He challenges Cain by reminding him it was his folly that resulted in the rejected offering.
Cain was warned, and it was an ominous warning.
We should take that to heart. Our pouts and anger don’t change the Lord’s standard. As I heard a preacher say a few decades ago, “We don’t break God’s standard; we break against it.”
Life Meets Theology 