Two Sacrifices and an angry man (Gen. 4:3-7)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 02/28/2006

My Worship Time                                                                            Focus:  Two Sacrifices

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Genesis 4:3-7

            Message of the verse:  “3 So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD of the fruit of the ground.  4 Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and for his offering; 5 but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell.  6 Then the LORD said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?  7 ‘If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.’”

These five verses tell the story of the first sacrifices that were offered unto the Lord that are recorded in the Bible.  It may be, and probably was not the first sacrifices that were given, but this is the first recorded. 

Cain brought a sacrifice and gave it unto the Lord, but his heart was not right with the Lord and therefore the Lord did not accept his sacrifice.  Cain became very angry over this and Satan would use this anger against Cain’s brother Able very soon.

Able on the other hand brought a sacrifice to the Lord, and his heart was right with the Lord, and the Lord accepted his sacrifice.  These two sacrifices that were brought to the Lord were different, but this was probably not the reason as to why one was accepted and one was not, for as Dr. Wiersbe writes it was all a matter of the heart, for later on in the Law of Moses the types of sacrifices that Cain brought were proper to offer to the Lord.

Spiritual meaning for my life today:  Anger is something that I have always had to deal with, and needles to say have not always been successful in doing so, yet the Lord has given me great victories over my anger, especially lately and I can praise Him for that.

The Word of God has brought conviction and challenge to my heart as I read and studied His Word today.

My Steps of Faith Today:  Continue to trust the Lord with the trials and tests that He has sent me into, and trust the Lord to direct my path and also to keep teaching me contentment. 

S