|
Under Construction
|
[Gn.4.3-15]
[Cain and Abel: The Offering]
[3] So it came about at the end of days that Cain brought an offering to the LORD
of the fruit of the ground.
[4] Abel, on his part also brought of the firstborn of his flock
and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering.
[5] But for Cain and his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry
and his face fell.
[God's Warning to Cain]
[6] Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your face fallen?
[7] If you do well, will not (your face) be lifted up? And if you do not do well,
sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.
[8] And Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were
in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.
[Cain's Punishment]
[9] Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" And he said,
"I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?"
[10] He [the LORD] said, "What have you done?
The voice of your brother's blood is crying to Me from the ground.
[11] Now you are cursed
from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand.
[12] When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you;
you will be a vagrant and a wanderer in the earth."
[God's Grace towards Cain]
[13] Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is too great to bear!
[14] Behold, You have driven me this day from the face of the ground; and from Your face
I will be hidden, and I will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me
will kill me."
[15] So the LORD said to him, "Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance
will be taken on him sevenfold." And the LORD appointed a sign for Cain
(or, set a mark on Cain),
so that no one finding him would slay him.
|
|
The Offering [Return to Top]
There are two meanings to these offerings. Two reasons why God chose Abel's
offering and rejected Cain's. The first, the natural, practical explanation,
lies in "the firstborn" and "the fat portions". No specification is given as to whether Cain offered the firstfruits, the good, the juicy fruits, or the whole grains, or rather the bruised and damaged, the shrunken, the leftovers.
Abel's offering, however, was the firstborn, the very beginning of his flock's strength, and the fat portions, the best pieces. (In Hebrew, fat is often a metaphor for best, the "gourmet" parts). God sanctified Abel's offering because he gave the first and best of what he had, not merely whatever came to hand.
The second meaning is symbolic and prophetic in nature, and belongs to a large tapestry of verses that provide shadows of Christ, and teach concerning the New Covenant.
The fruit of the ground, Cain's offering, represents the works of man (who is made of dust). The firstborn of the flock, on the other hand, represents Christ, the firstborn of creation, the Lamb of God, who is the acceptable sacrifice for all men. Our own works, whether of religion, good deeds, or any other kind of work, cannot measure up to God's standards.
The above paragraphs are only rough drafts
|
