Genesis 4 records the birth of Cain and Able to Adam and Eve. Able became a shepherd and Cain became a farmer. Each brought an offering to the Lord. 

“In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭4‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬ 

Cain’s anger led him to murder Able even though God had warned Cain regarding the danger of his anger. 

My questions are:  What should Cain have done initially to bring an offering that God would have regard for?  

What could Cain have done after the warning from God?  

How could Cain “do well” and be accepted?

“If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.””

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

If you read closely you will see that Able sacrificed the choice of his crop.  His best. This shows that he did so whole heartedly and actually sacrificed.

   Cain on the other hand just gave some of his harvest. This suggests that he did so out of obligation rather than his whole heart. Because he felt he had to.  So he did not give his best.

       God rejected Cain's offering because it was grudgingly given.

Mark Sutton point to ponder. They both somehow knew they were supposed to sacrifice to God at that time. Cain brought the best of his crop from the field but that wasn't good enough because the crop and best of the field originated in the ground which was cursed and cursed by God. What thMark Sutton — As much as I enjoy this group and read it every day, I’m not really good at expressing myself in this format.  

But this is the thought that caused me to ask the question. 

I have been studying how God dealt with Israel. With many examples of God making choices on his own choices of who He will bless and have mercy on some according His will 

Cain and Able, were they the first to experience God’s sovereign choice. Cain the first born who is not regarded and Able, the younger brother is regarded. Centuries later it is Esau and Jacob that experience the same sovereign choice. 

Basically regarding of Able but not Cain is based more on God’s choice than the motivations of the brothers.  

Cain had the opportunity to accept God’s sovereign choice and God encourages Cain to do so. But Cain nurses his anger into hate which leads to him murdering his brother.at means to me is we can bring the very best of profanity and vulgarity to God and he is not going to be pleased. God was pleased with able sacrifice because it was shedding of blood. Cain sacrifice had no shedding of blood.

1. What should Cain have done initially?  

Cain needed to bring his best produce, like the first fruits, and offer it with a genuine heart of gratitude, rather than just any portion.

2. What could Cain have done after the warning?  

He could have acknowledged his anger, repented, sought guidance from God, and worked on reconciling with Abel instead of harboring resentment.

3. How could Cain "do well" and be accepted?  

To be accepted, Cain should have changed his attitude, brought a sincere offering, mastered his anger, and focused on pleasing God rather than comparing himself to Abel.

Ultimately, God values our intentions over the offerings themselves. For Cain, acceptance meant addressing his heart and motivations.