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The Sacrifice That Moves God’s Heart
“And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the first born of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel’s offering but He did not respect Cain and his offering.
And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it. (Genesis 4:3-7)”
The passage is the story of two professional farmers, Cain and Abel his brother. Two of them were both farmers but in different fields. Each had his area of specialization. While one majored in Crops Science, the other specialized in Animal husbandry. The Bible records that a time came when they brought their harvest offerings before God Almighty. Naturally, they were expected to offer what they produced in their different fields. The scripture recorded that God accepted Abel’s offering but rejected Cain’s. The Bible did not state clearly the reason God rejected Cain’s offering, but a careful study of Genesis 4: 6 -7 seems to provide the answer. “So the Lord said to Cain, why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? The passage suggests that God might have given them specific instructions on what to do or that God who searches the heart and examines the mind (Jere. 17:10) knows that Cain knew what to do but deliberately failed to do it. God said to Cain, if you do well, will you not be accepted. In other words, Cain did not do what was expected of him.
Look at the sacrifices again (Gen. 4:4) and note the description of Abels offering. “Abel also brought of the first born of his flock and of their fat …” but in the case of Cain’s offering, the scripture merely states in Genesis 3:3 “that Cain brought an offering of fruit of the ground to the Lord”. No description of the qualities whatsoever. Abel was very selective in what to offer unto the Lord. Abel had respect for the Lord. Abel offered with faith and had expectations. Hebrews 11:14. “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gift….”
Cain on the other hand was very carefree with what to give to God Almighty. He offered without faith and with no expectations and so his offering was unacceptable to God.
Today as professionals in different fields that God has given us the grace, He knows that we know what to do to please Him and consequently move His heart to bless us. Jesus said even as wicked as men are, they know how to give good gifts to their children (Matt. 7:11).
If God knows that we know how to give good gifts to our children, He also knows that we must know how to give to Him good gifts.
Look at the sacrifices again (Gen. 4:4) and note the description of Abels offering. “Abel also brought of the first born of his flock and of their fat …” but in the case of Cain’s offering, the scripture merely states in Genesis 3:3 “that Cain brought an offering of fruit of the ground to the Lord”. No description of the qualities whatsoever. Abel was very selective in what to offer unto the Lord. Abel had respect for the Lord. Abel offered with faith and had expectations. Hebrews 11:14. “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gift….”
Cain on the other hand was very carefree with what to give to God Almighty. He offered without faith and with no expectations and so his offering was unacceptable to God.
Today as professionals in different fields that God has given us the grace, He knows that we know what to do to please Him and consequently move His heart to bless us. Jesus said even as wicked as men are, they know how to give good gifts to their children (Matt. 7:11).
If God knows that we know how to give good gifts to our children, He also knows that we must know how to give to Him good gifts.
He knows where He has placed us one by one. He knows how much He invested in us, and being a jealous God, He will not accept anything less than a fair share of His returns on His investment in each of us.
Learning/Training alone do not produce professionals but God’s anointing. Exodus 36:30ff talks about God’s anointing on Bezalel and Aholiab making them professional craftsmen for His work. God also speaking to Jeremiah when the later tried to reject God’s call said:. Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born I knew you. Before you were born I sanctified you: I ordained you a prophet to the nations (Jere. 1:5). We should be very thankful that whatever we are today it is by God’s grace and express appreciation by our gifts.
Cain’s sin was that he knew what was good but failed to do it. The Bible is clear on this “He who knows what to do and fails to do it,to him it is sin (James 4:17).
Our prayer today is that God who anointed us right in the womb to be what we are today, the same God that teaches our fingers to make wealth (Isaiah 48:17) will grant us the grace to offer our gifts unto Him with thanks, respect and faith so that our gifts will be acceptable to Him and in blessing, He will bless us beyond measure.
Have a joyful and fruitful harvest of His favour as you move His heart with your fat offerings this week.
Learning/Training alone do not produce professionals but God’s anointing. Exodus 36:30ff talks about God’s anointing on Bezalel and Aholiab making them professional craftsmen for His work. God also speaking to Jeremiah when the later tried to reject God’s call said:. Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born I knew you. Before you were born I sanctified you: I ordained you a prophet to the nations (Jere. 1:5). We should be very thankful that whatever we are today it is by God’s grace and express appreciation by our gifts.
Cain’s sin was that he knew what was good but failed to do it. The Bible is clear on this “He who knows what to do and fails to do it,to him it is sin (James 4:17).
Our prayer today is that God who anointed us right in the womb to be what we are today, the same God that teaches our fingers to make wealth (Isaiah 48:17) will grant us the grace to offer our gifts unto Him with thanks, respect and faith so that our gifts will be acceptable to Him and in blessing, He will bless us beyond measure.
Have a joyful and fruitful harvest of His favour as you move His heart with your fat offerings this week.
Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon
S. Igein Isemede.