Genesis 4:1-16 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bore Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.… I. THAT BOTH THE TRUE AND THE FALSE AMONGST MEN ARE APPARENTLY WORSHIPPERS OF GOD. The false come to worship God — 1. Because it is the custom of the land so to do. 2. Because men feel that they must pay some regard to social propriety and conscience. 3. Because men feel that their souls are drawn out to God in ardent longings and grateful praises. These are the true worshippers of God. Followers of Abel. II. THAT BOTH THE TRUE AND THE FALSE AMONGST MEN PRESENT THEIR MATERIAL OFFERINGS TO GOD. 1. The trade of each brother suggested his offering. (1) Some take their offerings for parade. (2) They take their offerings to enhance their trade. (3) They take their offerings to increase their social influence. (4) They take their offerings with a humble desire to glorify God. III. THAT BOTH THE TRUE AND THE FALSE AMONGST MEN ABE OBSERVED AND ESTIMATED BY GOD IN THEIR WORSHIP AND OFFERINGS. 1. The worship and offerings of the one are accepted. "And the Lord had respect unto Abel and his offering." And why? (1) Because it was well and carefully selected. Men should select carefully the offerings they give to God. (2) Because it was the best he could command. He brought the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. (3) Because it was appropriate. His sacrifice preached the gospel, foreshadowed the Cross. (4) Because it was offered in a right spirit. This makes the great point of difference between the two offerings. The grandest offering given in a wrong spirit will not be accepted by God, whereas the meanest offering given in lowly spirit will be welcome to Him. Thus the younger brother was the best. He was better than his name. 2. The worship and offering of the other was rejected. "But unto Cain and to his offering He had not respect." The men who make their religious offerings a parade, who regard this worship as a form, are not welcomed by God. IV. THAT THE TRUE, IN THE DIVINE RECEPTION OF THEIR WORSHIP AND OFFERINGS, ARE OFTEN ENVIED BY THE FALSE. 1. This envy is wrathful. "Why art thou wroth?" 2. This envy is apparent. "Why is thy countenance fallen?" 3. This envy is unreasonable. "If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?" 4. This envy is murderous. "Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him." (J. S. Exell, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. |
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