Genesis- Oh Brother

Wednesday, August 26th

Read Genesis 2:2b-5- Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 4 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, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

What gets God’s attention? The offerings got God’s attention, Cain brought some, Abel brough the best of the best, the fat portion of the first born.

The other reason I say that Cain’s intention was “off” is because notice his response when God showed favor to Abel? He got angry and his face was downcast.

Here me out, I get it, Cain expected something different from God, because come on, he is the first born.

How many first born? First born, we pave the way, our parents are learning how to be parents with us. They barely had anything to start, by the time #2, #3, or #4 come, they either figured it out or more chill or don’t care. Which the “baby” of the family gets what they want, right? Not in all cases and trust me, I’m not trying to rip open any major family wounds here. But family dynamics play a role today as well as then.

The difference then is the first born expected to get the favor, expected to get the best of the best, they expected to get more because they were first. Remember the frustration of the oldest son in the Prodigal story? His intention was, I did all this for you dad, why haven’t you blessed me.

Here’s my point. God didn’t reject Cain’s offering, God simply showed favor, grace to Abel. But because Cain’s heart intention was “off” it caused a greater ripple effect. Cain was essentially saying, “don’t I deserve favor, I’m the first born?” What about me, that’s not fair.
Does favor for one mean rejection for the other?

Cain’s story is humanity’s story. When we don’t get what we think we deserve, we plot and take it for ourselves. Even at the expense of others. It’s hard when we don’t think God’s face is shining upon us. Hard to see others succeed, when you fail, especially when it seems you’ve done nothing wrong.

Let me put it this way, can you trust God’s favor (grace), but according to his method and his timing? Cain, as the first born was saying, “God, I don’t like your method, and I don’t like your timing. I want the favor and I don’t know the rules of how to get your favor. You are holding out on me, it’s not fair, where’s mine, why wasn’t what I did enough?”

Yet, God is saying, “I am a generous God, can you trust me, but it’s not about the how or the when.”

Abel’s intention, even though we only have two verses about him, we know that his intention was to give God the best of the best, to honor, celebrate and love God. As a result God expressed His favor to Abel. Not that he was more favored, simply expressed his favor. Cain’s intention was different. He gave “some,” gave the leftovers and when he didn’t see the favor in the way he wanted, it led to perceived rejection, anger, sadness, revealed envy and jealousy.

Spend some time with the question- can you trust God’s favor (grace), but according to his method and his timing?

You can also share in this song as a guide- 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Matt Redman