The Gift or the Giver?
" but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell." (Gen. 4:5, NASB) The story of Cain and Abel has been somewhat of a quandary for many. The statements I have heard have included: > "Abel brought the first fruits, where Cain only brought some of his fruits" > "Abel brought a blood offering, but Cain brought veggies" > "That's just not fair that God accepted one but not the other." There is an answer to this situation, and the answer really has nothing to do with what offering they brought. Cain's offering was rejected by God, but that's not all of the story. A careful reading of the verse reveals that Cain's offering was most certainly rejected, but so was Cain himself. The reason that Cain's offering was rejected was that Cain was rejected first. Why? Well, his response to God's rebuke gives us some insight into his hea