Isaiah 20-22
Ephesians 6
“Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain….Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil.” Genesis 4:1-2
After sin enters the created order in Genesis 3, Scripture immediately gives an illustration to help us understand how important a life of worship is. Genesis 4 tells us about two brothers going to worship God, both bringing offerings. Genesis 4:2-5 says, “Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. But Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favour on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering He did not look with favour.” Why did God have different responses towards Cain and Abel? Was it because Cain brought brussels sprouts and Abel brought a steak dinner? Was that the problem—that Cain simply offered the wrong sacrifice?
The writer of Genesis actually provides us some clues. The details of Abel’s offering being not only of the fat portions—or as The Message translation says, “choice cuts of meat”—but also from the firstborn of his flock, calls our attention to the quality of Abel’s offering. It was the best that Abel could bring: the first, the choicest, freely offered up to God. With Cain, in contrast, the absence of any details about his quality tells us that it was not of the same caliber or intentionality as Abel’s offering. The original Hebrew of “Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil” is structured in a way that suggests that Cain brought some stuff that he found lying around, maybe even laying on the ground. It was not the firstfruits or the best; it was not the first thing on his mind, just a last-minute thing that was thrown together. It lacked any intentionality or adoration for God.
For us, what we offer to God is a reflection of what is in our heart. The quality of our heart affects the quality of our worship. Abel brought his best before God; he displayed intentionality, honour and dignity because he wanted to show his appreciation and dedication to God. Cain brought his sloppy seconds before God; he displayed a “what-is-the-bare-minimum-that-I-could-get-away-with” attitude.
The text begs us to look into our own lives and reflect on our worship of God. Do we bring our firstfruits, our choicest parts, or do we just bring leftovers after a week of busyness? Is He our first thought or an afterthought? Are we making it our aim to please Him, to show Him our adoration? Or are we just going through the motions trying to throw some stuff together and just go through it so that maybe He will bless us?
Dear God, You deserve my firstfruits and not my leftovers. I want my worship to please You and show my adoration because You are worthy of it. Thank You, Lord.
Ephesians 6
“Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain….Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil.” Genesis 4:1-2
After sin enters the created order in Genesis 3, Scripture immediately gives an illustration to help us understand how important a life of worship is. Genesis 4 tells us about two brothers going to worship God, both bringing offerings. Genesis 4:2-5 says, “Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. But Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favour on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering He did not look with favour.” Why did God have different responses towards Cain and Abel? Was it because Cain brought brussels sprouts and Abel brought a steak dinner? Was that the problem—that Cain simply offered the wrong sacrifice?
The writer of Genesis actually provides us some clues. The details of Abel’s offering being not only of the fat portions—or as The Message translation says, “choice cuts of meat”—but also from the firstborn of his flock, calls our attention to the quality of Abel’s offering. It was the best that Abel could bring: the first, the choicest, freely offered up to God. With Cain, in contrast, the absence of any details about his quality tells us that it was not of the same caliber or intentionality as Abel’s offering. The original Hebrew of “Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil” is structured in a way that suggests that Cain brought some stuff that he found lying around, maybe even laying on the ground. It was not the firstfruits or the best; it was not the first thing on his mind, just a last-minute thing that was thrown together. It lacked any intentionality or adoration for God.
For us, what we offer to God is a reflection of what is in our heart. The quality of our heart affects the quality of our worship. Abel brought his best before God; he displayed intentionality, honour and dignity because he wanted to show his appreciation and dedication to God. Cain brought his sloppy seconds before God; he displayed a “what-is-the-bare-minimum-that-I-could-get-away-with” attitude.
The text begs us to look into our own lives and reflect on our worship of God. Do we bring our firstfruits, our choicest parts, or do we just bring leftovers after a week of busyness? Is He our first thought or an afterthought? Are we making it our aim to please Him, to show Him our adoration? Or are we just going through the motions trying to throw some stuff together and just go through it so that maybe He will bless us?
Dear God, You deserve my firstfruits and not my leftovers. I want my worship to please You and show my adoration because You are worthy of it. Thank You, Lord.
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