Scripture to Read: Genesis 4:3-5
We are continuing to examine Cain and Abel’s offerings to our Lord. We need to understand that God’s standard is always what we must pursue each day so that we walk in a manner that is worthy of our Lord. Some call into question whether Cain could have known that a blood sacrifice was required since the Law did not come until God gave it to Moses. The problem with this line of thinking is that we negate the fact that God had set forth His example in Genesis 3:21. Since we have the fullness of God’s Word, we know that God has ALWAYS required a blood sacrifice for sin. Therefore, Cain willingly did not follow God’s example. Then we read that Cain got incredibly angry. Cain’s reaction to God speaks volumes about his heart towards God. God uses Cain’s negative example and Abel’s obedient example in the New Testament as He has His writer in Hebrews pen principles on how we can learn from Cain’s bad example. We read this in Hebrews 11:4, where Abel placed his faith in God, but Cain trusted in himself and what he thought was right in his own eyes. Abel showed he trusted God by following God’s example. Cain lacked faith in God and decided to bring what he thought was best. Cain’s actions were evil in God’s sight, as we read in 1 John 3:12. The problem is that without faith in God, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). We must trust God completely and choose to walk in obedience to His Word daily.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about fully trusting and obeying Him in all areas of your life?
2. Who can you share with today how important it is for them to trust and obey God in all areas of their life?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!