The once lush and vibrant surroundings of the Garden of Eden now gave way to a harsh and unforgiving landscape. The earth, once fertile and yielding, became stubborn and resistant to their toil. The air carried the scent of sweat and exhaustion, mingled with the lingering memory of the fragrant blooms they had left behind.
The sounds of their new world echoed with the clanging of tools against unyielding soil, the grunts of exertion, and the cries of frustration. The once peaceful harmonies of nature were now replaced with the cacophony of struggle and strife.
Every step they took was a reminder of their fallen state. The ground beneath their feet was marred with thorns and thistles, piercing their flesh as a constant reminder of the consequences of their disobedience. Life was no longer a simple existence, but a daily battle against sin and temptation.
Yet, amidst the toil and hardship, there were moments of respite. The warmth of the sun on their faces, the gentle touch of a cool breeze, and the laughter of their children brought fleeting moments of joy. It was in these moments that the memory of the Garden of Eden lived on, a glimmer of hope in a world tainted by sin.
As they shared their stories with their children, the tales of the paradise they had lost became woven into the fabric of their new reality. The Garden of Eden existed only in their memories, a distant dream that both haunted and inspired them. And so, Adam and Eve, along with their sons and daughters, navigated the challenges of their fallen world, clinging to the hope of redemption and a return to the paradise they once knew.
It is in this scenario that Hebrews 11:4 NASBS mentions a part of Cain and Abel’s lives. It says there:
By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.
The chief reason for the acceptance of Abel’s sacrifice, simply said, was that he offered it “by faith.” It is implied that Cain’s sacrifice was rejected because he offered it without faith, as a mere formality.
For example, Abel’s sacrifice of a lamb was accepted because he offered it with sincere belief and trust in God’s promises. He understood the significance of the sacrifice as a symbol of worship and approached it with reverence and gratitude.
And just as a teacher gives a student a gold star for a job well done, God testified His approval of Abel’s sacrifice.
In contrast, Cain’s offering of fruits from his garden was devoid of true faith and seems to have been merely a ritualistic gesture. Proverbs 21:27 says, “The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with evil intent!” (NIV).
God evaluates our motives more then what we offer him (see Genesis 4:7). From the very beginning of creation, God was concerned more about the heart than the actual sacrifice.
There is also the fact that Eve received a promise from God that her seed would step on the serpent’s head. It is possible that Cain grew up with the expectations of being the prodigy child, blessed with many privileges from his parents.
These speculations may have led him to believe that he was destined for a glorious and powerful future, creating a sense of entitlement in his heart. He may have believed that God’s approval was contingent upon him being chosen.
However, God evaluates the motives of our hearts more than the quantity of what we give Him. Unfortunately, Cain might have been influenced by this to become entitled and indifferent towards God.
Imagine this conversation between Cain and Abel:
“I can’t believe it, Abel!” Cain said, his voice filled with excitement. As the chosen one, I felt a sense of purpose and responsibility like never before. Our mother received a divine promise from God, assuring her that her descendants would conquer the treacherous serpent. It has to be me!
“Cain, are you sure?” Abel asked, his voice filled with curiosity. God carefully examines the intentions and desires of our hearts, rather than simply our status or significance. Let’s avoid making these sorts of assumption.
Cain’s defensive tone was evident as he protested, “But Abel, I feel entitled to this!” It is my calling to be the hero, the savior who will conquer the serpent and protect the innocent. God’s approval must be linked to being chosen, right?
In a calm tone, Abel emphasized the importance of remembering that God’s ways are beyond their understanding. He sees beyond our expectations. It’s not just about defeating the serpent, but about the condition of our hearts.
With a frustrated tone, Cain argued, “I don’t think so!” Abel, a profound conviction rests in my heart that I am the one who will fulfill this promise. I am the hero, the one who brings victory.
Abel reminded Cain, with compassion in his voice, that God’s approval does not solely depend on our achievements but on our character.We must focus on serving Him with humility and obedience, rather than seeking our own glory.
“Abel, it’s clear you have no understanding of God,” Cain said with a disappointed tone. God’s choice of me as the firstborn must make you green with envy.
Abel looked at Cain with concern and urged him to seek God’s guidance, emphasizing the importance of trusting His plan. He knows what is best for us, even if it means redefining our roles to maximize our potential.
With a haughty tone, Cain responded to Abel, “Yes, Abel. My role is different than yours because I have been chosen. I don’t need to humble myself before God and trust in His evaluation of my heart because he has chosen me already. By defeating the serpent I will honour Him, not by being so religiously devoted. He has given me already everything, including his approval.
Abel’s words hung in the air, laced with a hint of sorrow, “That’s not right, Cain.” Why don’t we walk this journey together, seeking God’s approval and following His path, no matter where it leads us?
In a furious outburst, Cain reminded Abel, “I have God’s approval, in case you forgot.” I am first and I am better. You are the one needing to strive to be a faithful servant and be so devoted. I need nothing. Goodbye!
Abel could feel the intensity of Cain’s anger reverberating through the air. His face turned red with frustration as he clenched his fists tightly. The muscles in his jaw tensed, causing his teeth to grind together audibly. The veins in his neck bulged, pulsating with every word he spoke.
As Cain’s anger consumed him, his voice grew louder, almost bordering on a shout. Each word was punctuated with a sharp and aggressive tone, leaving no room for doubt about his feelings of superiority. His eyes narrowed, blazing with a fiery glare that conveyed his deep-rooted resentment towards Abel.
Meanwhile, Abel stood there, his body language contrasting sharply with Cain’s. His shoulders slumped slightly, as if burdened by the weight of Cain’s words. He glanced down, unable to meet Cain’s gaze directly, but his brow furrowed with a mix of sadness and determination.
Though Abel’s voice remained calm, it quivered with the weight of unspoken emotions. He spoke softly, countering Cain’s assertions with a quiet resolve. His hands trembled imperceptibly, betraying the inner struggle he faced in the face of Cain’s unwarranted animosity.
The room grew tense as the emotions between the two brothers clashed, creating an almost palpable heaviness. The air itself seemed to be charged with their conflicting energies, making it difficult for anyone present to remain unaffected by the intensity of the moment.
In that instant, it became clear that beneath the surface of their conversation lay a deeply rooted rivalry, driven by envy, resentment, and a desperate need for validation. The physical manifestations of their emotions served as a stark reminder of the turmoil brewing within their hearts, threatening to shatter the fragile bond between them.
Some time went by when Abel and Cain walked before God to offer Him their gifts, and this is how this mind blowing scene unfolds in my mind.
When Cain approached God to present his offering, there was an air of arrogance and self-sufficiency in his demeanor. His body language exuded pride, and his eyes lacked the humility and reverence that Abel’s displayed. As the words left his lips, they seemed empty, void of genuine gratitude and dependence on God’s mercy.
The lack of recognition of his need for God’s grace was reflected in his physical presence. His shoulders were squared, as if he stood tall in his own strength, while his chest puffed out with a false sense of accomplishment. There was no sense of surrender or vulnerability in his posture, no understanding that he was but a mere mortal in need of God’s Presence.
In contrast, Abel’s approach to God was marked by a profound sense of awe and submission. His body language was gentle and humble, his head slightly bowed as a sign of reverence. His eyes were filled with sincerity and trust, acknowledging God’s authority over his life. His hands trembled slightly as he presented his sacrifice, a testament to the depth of his faith and the sincerity of his heart.
God, who sees beyond the external actions, discerned the true nature of their offerings. He rejected Cain’s sacrifice, not because of its size or value, but because it lacked the essence of true worship – a heart surrendered in faith and a recognition of God’s authority. In contrast, God accepted Abel’s offering, not solely because of its physical attributes, but because it was a reflection of his genuine love, trust, and dependence on God.
This story serves as a reminder to us all that true worship is not measured by the external grandeur of our sacrifices, but rather by the internal disposition of our hearts. It is not about the size of our offerings or the pomp and circumstance of our rituals, but about the depth of our faith and the sincerity with which we approach God. It is in acknowledging our need for God’s grace and surrendering ourselves to His authority that we find true worship and communion with Him.
Remember: “True worship is not measured by the size of the sacrifice, but by the depth of one’s faith and sincerity of the heart.”
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