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Offering Acceptable Sacrifices to JehovahThe Watchtower—1999 | February 1
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After some time, likely when they were well into adulthood, Cain and Abel each made an offering to Jehovah. Since Abel was a shepherd, it was not surprising that he presented “some firstlings of his flock, even their fatty pieces.” In contrast, Cain offered up “some fruits of the ground.” Jehovah accepted Abel’s sacrifice, but “he did not look with any favor upon Cain and upon his offering.” (Genesis 4:3-5) Why not?
Some point to the fact that Abel’s sacrifice was from the “firstlings of his flock,” whereas Cain’s was merely “some fruits of the ground.” But the problem was not in the quality of produce that Cain offered, for the account says that Jehovah looked with favor “upon Abel and his offering,” and with disfavor “upon Cain and upon his offering.” So Jehovah looked primarily at the heart condition of the worshiper. In doing so, what did he perceive? Hebrews 11:4 says that it was “by faith” Abel offered his sacrifice. So Cain apparently lacked the faith that made Abel’s sacrifice acceptable.
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Offering Acceptable Sacrifices to JehovahThe Watchtower—1999 | February 1
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In contrast, Cain had likely given little more than superficial thought to the offering he made. “His offering was a mere acknowledgment of God as a benefactor,” suggested a 19th-century Bible commentator. “It plainly evinced that he recognised no material breach between him and his Creator, nor any need of confession of sin or dependence on an atonement.”
Furthermore, as firstborn, Cain might even have presumptuously assumed that he was the promised seed who would destroy the Serpent, Satan. Eve too could have harbored such ambitious aspirations for her firstborn son. (Genesis 4:1) Of course, if this was what Cain and Eve expected, they were sadly mistaken.
The Bible does not state how Jehovah indicated his approval of Abel’s sacrifice. Some suggest that it was consumed by fire from heaven. Whatever the case, upon realizing that his offering was rejected, “Cain grew hot with great anger, and his countenance began to fall.” (Genesis 4:5) Cain was headed for disaster.
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