Questions & Answers - Good News Staff - September 1976

Good News Staff

QUESTION: "In Genesis, why did God accept Abel's meat offering and refuse Cain's grain offering, even though it was of the best grain?" ANSWER: The Bible does not specifically say why God did not accept Cain's offering (Gen. 4). But some have speculated that God instructed Cain and Abel to offer animal sacrifices. Cain may have refused and. offered produce of the field instead - insisting on worshiping God his own way. Another possible explanation is that Cain may not have brought the best of his grain. Genesis 4:4 reads: "Abel... brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof." Perhaps Cain's offering was neither the first nor the best. At any rate, Genesis 4:5-7 reveals that Cain's heart was not right with God. This is another possible reason his offering was not accepted (Matt. 5:23-24). - Information Supplied By: Herbert W Armstrong Library