Nowhere in the Scriptures of Genesis do we find God detailing what sort of sacrifice would be acceptable. However, if this is the case, it would be necessary for us to read that into the text, because, the Law, which describes all the offerings and their place in man’s relationship with God, wasn’t given until Moses. Genesis 3:15), while what Cain offered was nothing more than a fellowship offering (Exodus 18:12 Leviticus 2:1-3). Many assume that the more excellent offering was the fact that Abel showed his obedience to God through a blood sacrifice for a sin offering (Exodus 29:14, 36 30:10), pointing to Christ (cf.

1Kings 18:36-39), testified on Abel’s behalf that he was righteous. In other words, whatever God did, perhaps sending fire down from heaven to consume Abel’s sacrifice (viz.

The text tells us that in some manner God showed his respect for Abel and his offering, but not so for Cain and his offering (Genesis 4:3-5). And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. Notice what was done:Īnd in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. Paul says that Abel, through faith, offered a more excellent offering than Cain (Hebrews 11:4), but we aren’t told what Paul means by a more excellent offering.

Cain and abel offering