QT 7/23/2025 Gen 4:1–7, Pride has no place in worship

Genesis 4:1–7 (ESV) —

1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” 2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 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, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 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.”

 

NOTE: This begins the line of Cain, and pride dominates this lineage. Cain continues his Father Adam's occupation, while Abel is the first working with domesticated animals. Abel's job does not contradict God's command since we are to care for the creation. It is not clear why God does not regard Cain's offering. But there is something going on by God's instructions to Cain.

 

Genesis 4:7 (ESV) — 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.”

 

So what was Cain doing? In the case of Abel, the text is clear that Abel gave his firstborn of his flock.  As for Cain, the text only says that he brought an offering of fruit of the ground. Why does it not say the first fruits, unless it was not? By offering first fruits and firstborn, we declare our trust in God to provide afterwards. Being a man who has struggled with pride himself, I can see Cain calculating his needs and offering what he could afford versus what he should. I have worked hard to give more to combat that desire. Sometimes, for the prideful, their intellect gets in the way of their worship. And we need to let go of "calculations" and "questions" when it comes to worship; this is the place where a little bit of emotion is a good thing. For a logic guy, like myself, it may not be easy to say but I know that it is true.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I give based on what I can give or what I know I should give?
2. And when I say "should give," I do not mean tithe -- I mean,

 

2 Corinthians 9:6–7 (ESV) — 6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

 

How am I doing?

 

PRAYER: Father, I don't like to think of myself as a type of Cain, although I may be related. Forgive me for my pride. Forgive me for calculating everything. Thank you for developing emotion in my life so that I can truly worship you. Help me to "do well" and to lead others well.