IT IS hard to think that Adam and Eve would have failed to give their sons an account of all that had befallen them, and to tell them too of God’s grace in providing coats for them, by the slaying of innocent animals. In their talks together the boys would surely have had explained to them about the ground now being cursed, as also their separation from nearness to God that had previously marked the Garden of Eden. But we cannot think that the parents would fail to also tell them of their need now of going to God with suitable sacrifices, that they might be accepted of Him in spite of their fallen condition.
The two sons soon grew to manhood and set out on their careers—just as young men do nowadays—the one becoming a shepherd and the other a tiller of the soil. These two are indeed types to us of the whole human race. We see that they both felt a need to put themselves right with God, and their hearts and consciences told them they could not merely present themselves, but need some substitute. In this they were entirely correct, as we read in Romans 7:1818For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. (Romans 7:18): “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.” Yes, friend, every one of us, from Adam and Eve on, needs a suitable substitute to go between us and God.
“And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain and his offering he had not respect.” vv. 3-5.
Cain brought his offering—the fruit of the ground, with which he was sot familiar—and Abel brought of the firstlings of his flocks. Abel’s offering was accepted; Cain’s was refused. Now it is most important for us to understand why this was so. And first of all we want to read very carefully’ just what is expressed in the Word. “The Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain and to his offering He had not respect.” It was the offering that identified each offerer and it was on this that the Lord looked. Cain’s offering was perhaps very choice and selected from the very best of his crops. Why then did the Lord not accept it? Because it was from the sin-cursed earth and, beautiful though it might be, it yet would be a cursed product, marked with the sin of this world, and not suited as a substitute for one who himself was also marked by sin. Alas, Cain tells us all too plainly of many who seek to get to God by offering their good works. Dressed up ever so beautifully, it still is giving only the best of one’s self, and this is not acceptable.
But Abel’s offering is accepted because it represented a true substitution in conformity with what God had already established. When God prided coverings for Adam and Eve they must have grasped something of the fact that a life was given so that theirs could be spared. This was surely told by them to both Cain and Abel again and again. Abel then acted in accordance with God’s thoughts, as we are told in Hebrews 11:44By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. (Hebrews 11:4): “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.” The lamb, offered from his flock in faith, was accepted by God because faith brought it, and it spoke to Him of the blood of His own blessed Lamb, which would at a later day be shed for the atonement of sins.
ML-08/09/1964