Scripture to Read: Genesis 4:1-5
As we unpack Genesis 4:1-2, we read that Eve gave birth to two sons. Her firstborn was Cain and her second born was Abel. Cain was a farmer and Abel was a shepherd. As both boys grew up, the time came for them to bring a sacrifice to our Lord. As we read Genesis 4:3-5, we see that Abel brought the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. How would Abel know to bring a sacrificed lamb and include the fat portions from that lamb? We have to remember that in Genesis 3, God had performed the first blood sacrifice for Adam and Eve’s sin. We read about this in Genesis 3:21, where God’s Word clearly tells us that God “made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.” God Almighty had covered Adam and Eve’s sin through the blood sacrifice and then covered their nakedness with the skins from the animal sacrificed. As Cain and Abel grew up, their dad, Adam, would have taught them about God’s provision through the blood sacrifice and that they must follow God’s example. Needless to say, our Lord was pleased with Abel’s offering because Abel had followed God’s example and brought a blood sacrifice to our Lord. But Cain brought some fruit of the ground to our Lord, and the Lord was not pleased with Cain’s offering because it was not a blood sacrifice. Whenever we do things our way and not God’s way, we are disobedient to our Lord and we displease Him, just like Cain.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about walking in obedience to Him and not doing things our own way?
2. How are you seeking to walk in obedience to our Lord each day and honoring Him through your obedience?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!