05_The two offerings Gen 4:3-5 So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the Lord from the fruit of the ground. 4 Abel, on his part also brought an offering, from the firstborn of his flock and from their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering; 5 but for Cain and his offering He had no regard. "And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord." – Genesis 4:16 "Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And why slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous." – I John 3:12 "Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core."– Jude 11 The story of Cain and Abel is one of the earliest in the Bible. It forces us to grapple with the unsettling question: why did God accept Abel's offering but reject Cain's?It explores the heart of the most profound issues that we face as human beings. It uncovers the meaning of worship and faith, and the devastating consequences of sin. The writer of Hebrews reveals, “By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was attested to be righteous, God testifying about his gifts.” (Hebrews 11:4). The question is, why did the brothers offer different sacrifices? Both Abel and Cain knew and acknowledged God’s being and his right to be worshipped. But Abel’s faith went beyond this. He apparently had something that Cain lacked. This deficit was fundamental to Cain’s rejection. The essence of Abel's offering seems to be twofold. He understood, from his parents’ sad history, the central role of a sacrifice in his relationship with God. He coupled this with faith, and offered an acceptable sacrifice. The essential need for sacrifice is hinted at in the story of how God clothed our first parents with animal skins after they sinned and realized that they were naked. Since death had not yet entered the world, animals must have been sacrificed to provide these skins for Adam and Eve. It is true that these sacrifices were inadequate to allow them to re-enter paradise. Yet they allowed their outer nakedness to be covered. The place of animal sacrifice as a cover for sin was thus established. Abel offered a sacrifice of the firstlings from his flock of sheep. But Cain offered the fruit of his labor from his vegetable garden. Without blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. Secondly, Cain did not do what was good (Gen. 4:6,7; I John 3:12). This implies that he did not have the faith of Abel, for without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). As James writes, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe—and tremble.” (James 2:19). Cain’s belief was devoid of the obedience and reverence that characterize true faith. Cain's heart was far from God, and his actions reflected that distance. From God’s fatherly words