Genesis 4:4-5 And Abel, he also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect to Abel and to his offering:… I. THE RESEMBLANCE BETWEEN CAIN AND ABEL AT THIS TIME IS OUTWARDLY VERY CLOSE. 1. They both worship the same God. 2. They both bring an offering with them. 3. They both desire that themselves and their worship should find acceptance with God. II. YET THERE WAS A VAST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM. 1. They differed in their offerings. 2. They differed in the principle which actuated them. 3. They differed in the reception they and their offerings met with from God. III. THE CONSEQUENCES WHICH FOLLOWED THIS ACT OF WORSHIP. 1. Not sorrow or shame — envy takes possession of Cain's mind; anger and hatred soon follow envy; and though God comes and mercifully expostulates with him, this man, but lately so devout and grateful in appearance before God's altar, ends with defying God, lifting up his arm, and becoming his brother's murderer. 2. But look now at Abel. He has been humbly and faithfully worshipping the Lord his God; and what, we may ask, does he get by it? First hatred, and then a cruel death. Hatred, observe, from a fellow worshipper; death from a brother's hand. (C. Bradley, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: |
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