Cain and Abel's Sacrifice

[Anima_Christi]

Why was God pleased with Abel’s sacrifice but not with Cain’s?

 

[bogeyjlg]

I ask this… what was the difference between the sacrifices? What did each involve?

 

[YinYangMom]

If I recall Jeff Cavin’s notation it had to do with the spirit of the sacrifice.

Just as we can do a good deed, if we do it half-hearted, more out of obligation than out of love, then God knows that. He knows our heart.

So I believe it wasn’t in what was sacrificed or how, but more a matter of with what love from the heart it was offered.

Here’s what BibleGateway.com says in it’s commentary:

The offerings of Cain and Abel were different. Cain showed a proud, unbelieving heart. Therefore he and his offering were rejected. Abel came as a sinner, and according to God’s appointment, by his sacrifice expressing humility, sincerity, and believing obedience. Thus, seeking the benefit of the new covenant of mercy, through the promised Seed, his sacrifice had a token that God accepted it. Abel offered in faith, and Cain did not, Heb 11:4.

 

[Todd_Easton]

In A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture, edited by Bernard Orchard and others, published by Thomas Nelson & Sons: 1953, on page 188, on Genesis 4:5, it says:
We may deduce from God’s displeasure that Cain had already been guilty of sin, as in fact St John teaches saying that Cain killed his brother “because his own works were wicked and his brother’s just” 1 Jn 3:12; cf. Heb 11:4.

 

[Verbum_Caro]

More here:

newadvent.org/cathen/03142b.htm

 

[Singinbeauty]

Genesis 4:2-5 (New Living Translation)

2Later she gave birth to a second son and named him Abel.

When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain was a farmer. 3At harvesttime Cain brought to the LORD a gift of his farm produce, 4while Abel brought several choice lambs from the best of his flock. The LORD accepted Abel and his offering, 5but he did not accept Cain and his offering. This made Cain very angry and dejected.

From the looks of it Abel had brought all of his very best to the sacrifice where Cain may have just picked up what he had and brought it. Meaning Abel took more time and effort in what he brought as a sacrifice to God. This is why Abel’s was more pleasing because he knew of the importance. Plus, God saw both their hearts. Maybe Cain’s sacrifice was not brought with a pure heart… especially considering what he did next… :bigyikes:

 

[Mystophilus]

Singinbeauty:

From the looks of it Abel had brought all of his very best to the sacrifice where Cain may have just picked up what he had and brought it. Meaning Abel took more time and effort in what he brought as a sacrifice to God. This is why Abel’s was more pleasing because he knew of the importance. Plus, God saw both their hearts. Maybe Cain’s sacrifice was not brought with a pure heart… especially considering what he did next… :bigyikes:

You have a birthday. One friend listens and notes down what you like, investigates what you already have, and then spends many, many hours combing the stores for that one, perfect gift. The other, while on the way to your house, picks up something that looks pretty. Which makes the better gift?

 

[Zooey]

I heard a Jewish woman explain it this way, that the wording in the Hebrew suggests that what Cain brought…she called them “lowly fruits”. They were not the “pick of the crop”, they were the stuff he didn’t want himself.
This stuck with me, because what I thought of right away is that markets will set out the old wilted stuff, marked down? And you never know if it is even going to be edible, sometimes.
Well, this was what Cain did. Abel brought the very best that he had.
It’s why we call it a “sacrifice”; it’s worth something. Cain was just going through the motions & he didn’t even bother to put a good face on it.
So, their hearts were in completely different places.
The other thing is, God talks with Cain, & gives him a chance to make it right. Instead of doing that, he loses his temper & kills Abel.