Do you think God was to harsh with Cain when he didn't respect his offering and respected Ables fatted sheep?

Question

Genesis 4.3 to 6.

Answer 1

Instead of just blowing smoke into his eyes, why didn't God just say something curt. Like " that sucked"

Answer 2

It wasn't the gift....it was the attitude in which it was given. Cain felt it was a burden, while Able gave gladly. The punishment too harsh? At first yes, then God relented and made it so people would not harm him by means of a sign of some sort. The Bible account does not mention what that sign was.

Answer 3

Cain didn't have a good and proper attitude when giving a poor quality of the grain that he had.
The notion of that it was not an offering of a lamb is incorrect as the fact in the Old Testament there was grain offerings and drink offerings alongside the offering of animals. This goes along with the principle of tithing also.

Answer 4

The story as I know it, is that Abel had wheat, it was all he owned, but he gave the best crop that he had. While Cain had sheep, but he gave the worst sheep that he had. So generally, a sheep is better than wheat, but God looks at the intention in your heart.
If a poor man gives a little and it's all he has, it is better than a rich man giving a lot but it's only a small part of what he has.

Answer 5

You know, I've wondered about that myself on occasion. It always seemed to me that Cain got the shaft on that deal. He chose to be a farmer, and offered God the best of what he had made of the Lords earth. In return he got $hit on because it wasn't what God wanted. That always struck me as being an extremely childish, and petulant thing to do.

I think that the Almighty was extremely harsh in that particular instance, without a very good reason.

Answer 6

Dear clue,

i think one thing we have to know about God is that he knows the heart!!! And the problem with Cain's offering was the heart behind it.

God actually warned Cain not to be angry that He had rejected his offering- but to just offer what's proper. Their offerings were a reflection of what was in their heart. We also see this in the gospel when the widow gave a mite (these days maybe a penny) but she gave it gladly to the Lord, and i think that's the main thing- God can see our hearts when we give to him- he knows what's real and sincere, and what's fake and "obligatory".

God did his best to protect Cain and even after Cain had killed his brother Abel, provided cities of refuge for him.

i think God was rather merciful with Cain.

Hope that helps. Kindly,

Nickster

Answer 7

It's been explained to me that it wasn't the fact that Cain gave an offering of grains but that it wasn't the first fruits of his labor and he did not give the offering with his heart.
In our eyes we may think it was too harsh but we don't have the mind of God so it isn't for us to say. Someday we'll know the answers but not right now.

Answer 8

lol You have to KNOW the history BEHIND-THE-SCENES HERE. For instance, Cain gave of something without Blood (or a soul), and did not give the best, on and on. Abel gave his absolute BEST, a perfect sheep, bled it on the alter (so it would smell sweet (its soul being offered to God)) meaning that Abel not only sacrificed his best, but ALL THE OFFSPRING that one could have had! Being the best, it would have produced the BEST and therefore Abel placed himself 2nd to God in LIFE. THIS IS WHAT IMPRESSED GOD.

It would be easy to say, here's 2nd best, in a few years, I'll start giving my best WHEN I HAVE MORE! But, not Abel, he started out his herd by offering the BEST to God. Therefore making his own life harder in the future.

Compared to Cain just bringing a bag of vegetables and fruits.

Answer 9

Notice that the problem of Cain was in relation to his brother Abel.

God did not accept his sacrifice because of the animosity he had regarding his brother:

Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

God was not going to accept him unless and until he was in a right relationship with his brother.

Answer 10

Cain knew.