Contrary to what some have contended, there is nothing inherently better about tending sheep than working the ground. Since both the ground and the animal kingdom had been affected by the Fall, the sheep needed to be tended and the ground needed to be worked for food. The occupations chosen by Cain and Abel were the natural results of the curse of the Fall. The fourth view interprets the rejection as a problem with Cain's attitude rather than the specific offering that he brought. The third view sees that Abel brought the best of what he had while Cain brought a poor quality offering. Blood sacrifice is the only acceptable offering God would receive. God merely chose to accept Abel's offering and reject Cain's with no explanation given.Ī second view believes that the offering was rejected because Cain did not present a blood sacrifice. The first view sees the acceptance of one offering and the rejection of the other as the sovereign choice of God. Why did God accept the sacrifice of Abel and reject the sacrifice of Cain? There are four main views. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell ( Genesis 4:4, 5). And the Lord respected Abel and his offering but He did not respect Cain and his offering.
Abel also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat. When Cain and Abel, the first two sons of Adam and Eve, presented their sacrifices before the Lord Abel's sacrifice was accepted while Cain's was rejected.Īnd in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. His call is to the broken -"I will bind up the broken" ( Ezekiel 34:16).The first example of sacrifice in the Bible is found in the account of Cain and Abel. His call is to the barren -"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water" ( John 7:38). His call is to the fearful -"The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" ( Philippians 4:7). His call is to the exhausted-" Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" ( Matthew 11:28). His call is to the prodigal -"Return to Me, and I will return to you" ( Malachi 3:7). Return to Him today and experience the flames of revival. In closing, I'm including this powerful reminder from a past article: Second Chronicles 16:9 says, "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him." Will He find you seeking after Him or running in the other direction? There is nothing more painful than seeing an unbeliever on the broad road to destruction or a believer running from God. Return and Experience the Fire of Revival The heat of revival never comes from a microwave setting. In studying past revivals, many of which were years or decades in the making, they all began after consistent and persistent seeking. Continually seeking Him isn't optional it's essential to spiritual awakenings. Matthew 5:6 tells us that only those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, holiness, and purity will be filled. There must be continual hunger and thirst for God Without holiness, no one will see revival.ĥ. Romans 12:1 reminds us to present our bodies to God as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to Him. Second Corinthians 7:1 says that we must purify ourselves from everything that contaminates our spirit. A critical, harsh heart needs to be crushed under the power of the cross. Pride never ushers in a spiritual awakening. In Isaiah 58, even their fasting was ineffective because they were harsh and self-focused. Whether seeking forgiveness or mending broken relationships, you can never go wrong by making things right. Genuine repentance always leads to restoration. Zechariah 1:3 says, "Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Return to me,' declares the LORD Almighty, 'and I will return to you.'" Once your focus is back on God, He begins to work in and through you.
When was the last time you wept over the condition of the nation as well as the condition of your heart? Brokenness breaks up the fallow ground of the heart -"break off all your evil habits clear your hearts of weeds, so that they may be prepared for the seed of righteousness" ( Easton Bible Dictionary). Second Corinthians 7:10 says that godly sorrow, in conjunction with repentance, leads to salvation, but it also leads to brokenness and dependence on God. Prayer and fasting ignite the fire, but the following scriptural truths fan the flames: 1. According to the Scriptures, there are five spiritual principles that often spark a spiritual awakening and keep it going.
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