The Better Offering

The account of Cain and Abel (Gen. 4:1–16) is one of the most instructive portions of Scripture––not simply because it is the first account of one who was martyred for his faith; but because of what it teaches us about how we are to approach God in worship (Heb 11:4). Abel was the promised seed of Adam, the progenitor of the ultimate promised seed of the woman––namely, Christ (Gen. 3:15). God had instructed Adam and Eve in what He required for the remission of their sins, when He clothed them with animal sins. It is altogether reasonable to conclude that upon the rebellion of our first parents––and after He gave them the first gospel promise (Gen. 3:15)––the Lord taught them about their need for an atoning sacrifice that pointed forward to the sacrifice of Christ. This conclusion is bolstered by the fact that their sons are immediately involved in the act of sacrificing to the Lord in worship.

This, of course, raises the question about the nature of the two sacrifices. In the Mosaic Law, God commanded both blood sacrifices and the sacrifices of the first-fruits of the ground. This has led some to suggest that the difference did not lie in the nature of the sacrifices themselves. Many have intimated that Abel brought the best sacrifice, while Cain brought what was left over from the produce for which he labored. It is certainly the case that there was a difference between the best and what remained; however, the book of Hebrews––with its emphasis on the atoning sacrifice of Jesus and the shedding of his blood––leads to the conclusion that there was, in fact, a difference bewteen the two brothers based on the essential nature of each sacrifice. 

Thomas Sherlock, in his The Use and Intent of Prophecy in the Several Ages of the World, wrote, 

“‘Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins’. . .Abel came as a petitioner for grace and pardon and brought the Atonement appointed for sins. Cain appears before God as ‘a just person wanting no repentance.’ He brings an offering in acknowledgement of God’s goodness and bounty, but no atonement in acknowledgement of his wretchedness.” 

The teaching of Hebrews 9:22, as a reflection on the teaching of Leviticus 17:11 is a vital clue in understanding the difference between the two sacrifices of these brothers. Since God had appointed the sacrificial blood of animals in redemptive history to foreshadow the bloody sacrifice of Christ to make atonement for sin, then all who would approach the Lord in worship must come in faith, holding fast to the bloody sacrifice of Christ. This is what Abel was doing so early in redemptive history. Abel was acknowledging his sinfulness and his need for atonement. Cain was coming in self-righteous pride and religiosity. 

Building on the work of Sherlock, Jonathan Edwards noted,

“Abel, when he comes before God, is sensible of his own unworthiness and sinfulness, as the publican [Luke 18:13], and so is sensible of his need of an atonement, and therefore comes with bloody sacrifices, hereby testifying his faith in the promised great sacrifice. Cain comes with his own righteousness, like the Pharisee who put God in mind that he paid tithes of all that he possessed [Luke 18:12]. He comes without any propitiation, with the fruit of his ground, and produce of his own labors, as though he could add something to the Most High by gifts of his own substance. And therefore he was interested in no atonement, for he was not sensible of his need of any, nor did he trust in any.” 

John Owen, the Prince of the Puritans, also explained,

“The faith of Abel was fixed on God, not only as Creator, but as Redeemer also; as Him who, in infinite wisdom and grace, had appointed the way of redemption by sacrifice and atonement intimated in the first promise (Gen. 3:15). Wherefore his faith was accompanied with a sense of sin and guilt, with his lost condition by the fall, and a trust in the way of redemption and recovery which God had provided. And this he testified in the kind of his sacrifice, which was by death and blood; in the one owning the death which himself by reason of sin was obnoxious unto; in the other the way of atonement, which was to be by blood, the blood of the promised Seed.” 

The account of Cain and Abel sacrificing does, in fact, also teach us that if anyone is to come into the presence of God in worship, he must come with a heart that is grieved over his sinfulness, believing that God has provided a substitutionary sacrifice in Christ, and that as we come in faith––trusting the Lord who has graciously provided a way of atonement and forgiveness by Christ crucified––we are accepted freely by His grace. This is the difference between Cain and Abel. Abel approached the Lord in worship with a heart that wanted to bring the best sacrifice. Cain came with a heart that looked on the worship of God as a task, a fine, and a punishment. As Thomas Manton explained, 

“Abel came with all his heart, and in a free manner, to perform worship to God; and he brought the best, the fattest, and costliest sacrifice he could, as far as the bounds of God’s institution would give him leave. But Cain came with a sullen, covetous, unthankful, and fleshly spirit; he thought whatever he brought was good enough for God. Cain was envious of God before he was envious of his brother; he offered with a grudging mind whatever came first to hand, but kept the first-fruits to himself. Cain looked upon his sacrifice as a task rather than a duty; his fruits were brought to God as a fine rather than an offering, as if an act of worship had been an act of penance, and religion was his punishment.” 

We dare not come into the presence of God––as Cain did––self-righteously, half-heartedly, and with the least we can offer to Him. Rather, we are to come in brokenness over our sins, acknowledging that the Lord has provided a better sacrifice for us––namely, the sacrifice of the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).