“In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.”
Genesis 4:3-5
As a young girl, I remember reading this account and thinking it a bit unfair. If Cain raised crops, why wouldn’t it be ok for him to present crops for his offering?
Now that I’m older, I’m convinced that if a blood sacrifice was required, God would have made that clear. Perhaps Cain could have traded his choice garden produce to Abel for an animal sacrifice. God knew Cain’s heart.
God had already set the example that a blood sacrifice was required for the covering of sin. When Adam and Eve sinned, an animal was killed so that skins could be used to cover them.
The Old Testament sacrificial system would cover sin committed and then a new sacrifice would be required as more sin was committed. It was a continual process.
What a joy for those who carried the burden of sin from sacrifice to sacrifice to get “clean,” to discover Jesus. As the perfect sacrificial lamb, He became the once and for all sacrifice. Hebrews 10:10 says, “…we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
We are now exempt from the continual cycle of sacrifice to receive forgiveness. Our sins are not only covered – they are washed clean away by the blood of the lamb of God.
The Woman of God has been redeemed by the blood of Jesus.
The challenge now is to go live like it.
Amen, Laura!!!