“At harvest time Cain brought to the Lord a gift of his farm produce, while Abel brought several choice lambs from the best of his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his offering, but he did not accept Cain and his offering. This made Cain very angry and dejected” (Genesis 4:3-4 NLT).
I won’t begin to tell you I can “read between the lines” in the account of the two brothers and their two offerings. God hasn’t given me any special insight as to what occurred, but can I take a guess as to the order of events for the day?
Cain woke up late. Cain had forgotten that this day was the day to present something to the Lord. He mumbled, grumbled and fumbled around getting ready—and then grabbed up a few medium-sized zucchini and a handful of not-too-wilted radishes out of yesterday’s garden basket. He pulled into the parking lot on two wheels, parking at the back because he was running late. And then? While he waited to approach God with his offering, he had to sit in a seat that wasn’t his.
Abel? Abel had set his alarm. Abel had selected, weeks prior to the holy day, which of his lambs looked the best and he had them fluffed and ready for the ride to the Tabernacle. Abel left in plenty of time to deal with the delays he faced on the way. He quickly found a parking spot and herded his sheep into the alotted place for the Lord to approve.
Cain left worship feeling a little hot under the collar, embarrassed and put out. Abel headed home filled with awe of the Lord and a deeper appreciation of the privilege of being able to worship the Holy One.
Nothing’s really changed from that day to this, has it? People are the same. God asks today for nothing more or lessthan He did way back then.
If we were to get down to the nitty-gritty of it all, we’d have to survey our visit to the Temple last week. What we took. What we expected to receive. What we went to do. What we prepared for. What we took home from the service. How we served. How we sang. How we greeted. How we listened. How we responded. How we worshipped our Savior.
So? Based upon your own inventory…who were you more like? Cain or Abel?
Malinda Edgell
Illinois
PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Free Will Baptist pastors and their families serving in Cote d Ivoire.
