THE LAW OF FIRST MENTION: SACRIFICIAL WORSHIP

The first mention of sacrificial worship can be found in the fourth chapter of Genesis. It’s not Adam and Eve, but their sons, who are at the center of the story.

Cain, the first-born son, was a farmer … “Cain worked the ground” (Genesis 4:2). Abel, the second-born son, was a “shepherd of flocks” (Genesis 4:2).

“In the course of time Cain presented some of the land’s produce as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also presented an offering—some of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but he did not have regard for Cain and his offering” (Genesis 4:3-5).

Prior to this account, there is no written instruction concerning sacrificial worship. Later, in the Levitical Law, God gave instructions concerning grain offerings and animal sacrifices. It seems unlikely that God “did not have regard” for Cain’s offering because of what was offered.

The heart of the problem was a problem of the heart! The Lord asked Cain, “If you do what is right, won’t you be accepted?”(Genesis 4:7). Did Cain grudgingly give an armload of over-ripe zucchini? Did he practice his religion out of duty?

Abel worshipped with a right heart. “By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gifts” (Hebrews 11:4).

Are we guilty of duty-bound, wrong-hearted worship?

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).