Some may be familiar with the quote from the 19th century author Henry David Thoreau, who poetically observed, “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.” (1) Hebrews 11:4 begins our introduction to a group of individuals who kept pace with a drumbeat that differed from that of the rest of the world. In doing so, they served as living examples of God-honoring faith…
“By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks” (Hebrews 11:4)
While the Biblical account of Cain and Abel is fairly well known, there is more to their story than Cain’s famous question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Cain and Abel’s Scriptural record begins in Genesis chapter four. Following Adam and Eve’s dismissal from the Garden of Eden, Eve gave birth to a son named Cain. Later, she gave birth to another son named Abel (Genesis 4:1-2). We’re also told that Cain and Abel went on to pursue two different occupations: “Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.”
So Abel became a rancher and managed the family’s livestock. Cain became a farmer and helped produce food for his family. But while these men were moving in different occupational directions, they were also moving in different spiritual directions as well…
“And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell” (Genesis 4:3-5).
Now, before we continue, let’s consider this passage more closely. Cain and Abel each brought their offerings to God. Cain brought some of his farm produce and Abel made an offering to God from among his animals. However, God approved of Abel’s gift but did not have respect for Cain’s offering. The question is, why?
We can find one potential answer by paying close attention to the description of each offering. For instance, notice that we’re told, “Cain brought an offering…” but the following verse tells us, “Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat.” This is significant, for the fat portion was considered to be the best part of the animal- that was the portion Abel presented to God.
We’ll consider the effect of those decisions next.
(1) Thoreau, Henry David, Walden, chapter 18, p. 430 (1966). Originally published in 1854.