Why did God prefer Abel's sacrifice over Cain's?

Question

Bible: Genesis 4:1-8
Qur'an: Al-Ma'ida (Sura 5): 27-31

Answer 1

Goodness gracious!! So many answers and none that told why Cain's sacrifice was not acceptable to God. God was having them sacrifice a Lamb which was the first born in order to have a remembrance that he had promised them he would send a savior into the world that would wash away the sins of the world with his life and blood. Cain had the opportunity to trade grain for a Lamb but chose to ignore Gods wishes. Thus his heart was not right with God, and God preferred Ables lamb over Cain's grain. Yes they know that Jesus would come into the world and cleanse the world of sin with his blood or all that would except his atonement. Thus it showed Cain was choosing not to accept Jesus.

Answer 2

In truth, this story dates back 1500 years prior to the writing of the Cain and Abel story. It was originally Sumerian and the offering was made to the Goddess. In the Sumerian story, it was the brother who offered crops that garnered favor rather than the brother who offered the animal sacrifice.

At the time the Jews co-opted this story and changed it, the Jews were like the little brothers of society. They were nomads who tended animals because they were not in a position (a permanent location) to raise crops. Being the metaphorical younger brother to the more sophisticated town & city society, they wanted to show that they were just as good or better than the societies they were buttressing up against. Thus, they turned the original Sumerian story on its head to achieve this.

Fact is, the bible is a book that borrows heavily from previous societies and Pagan religions. To get a better understanding of what I'm speaking about, take a look at this film. It's long. Two hours. But when it comes to the subject of religion, all you need view is the first third of the film. Part One. The link appears below in the source box.

Answer 3

Because Abel offered an animal sacrifice instead of a vegetable one. It seems reasonable that Cain knew that he should have brought an animal sacrifice since God literally said to Cain "if you do what is right will you not be approved."
Cain motives could have been that he was too proud to go to his brother to get the appropriate animal. Hebrews chapter 11 also mentions Abel as offering a BETTER sacrifice then Cain. So the writer of Hebrew seems to be indicating that Abel's sacrifice was better than Cain's 1.) because it was offered in faith and 2.) Because Abel follow God's decrees on what constitutes an appropriate sacrifice.

Answer 4

God is not a Vegan!

Cain did not even offer up the first(best) of his harvest and wanted God to accept second quality produce as well.
Interesting though is the fact that in return for his sacrifice God let Abel get murdered by Cain and Cain got to become the ruler of a city.
Something seems wrong with the justice system God follows.

Answer 5

There are entires chapters (in Jewish religion) that scholars have written about this. However, the short and sweet is that despite Cain making his sacrifice first Abel's was found more pleasing due to the nature of it. Cain was instructed to give of his first harvest, whereas Abel was not. Hence making the sacrafice without forcing him to do so was seen as more of a sacrifice and offering.

Answer 6

Because Abel gave some of the choice (or "fat") portions, while Cain gave some, but obviously not choice portions, as the text differentiates.

There is a New Testament passage that speaks of this also.

Answer 7

Abel gave his firstling (tithe). Cain didn't give excellently but off the ground that wasn't his firstfruits.

God showed favor to Abel's sacrifice. Ignored Cain's. Cain got jealous & God told him he could do excellently & get favor. But Cain rather just stewed in his jealousy that led to him murdering his brother.

Genesis4:6 And the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why is your countenance fallen? If you do well (excellently) , will you not be accepted? And if you do not well, sin waits at the door. And unto you shall be his desire (satans) & you sall rule over him (Need to resist satan). (Satan waits to tempt Cains flesh in jealousy to tempt him to murder his brother.) Cain didn't resist satan & schemed to murder his brother.

The Qur'an verse don't give as much information. Just that jealousy causes one to hate & murder his brother. And this is true. A root of murdering is being jealous of others. In this case, Abel gave a better sacrifice. Cain didn't want to do better next time & was jealous. His flesh was tempted to murder & Cain chose to do that.

Answer 8

God laid out his requirements for what the sacrifice needed to be (the blood of an animal). Cain, in his pride for what he had grown, brought something of his own choosing (the plants he had grown). His sacrifice was not acceptable, because he disobeyed God and did what he wanted to do, what "seemed" right in his own eyes.

Answer 9

Abel gave the best of what he had, while Cain gave what he didn't want. Also, if I remember correctly Cain was ordered not to give the kind of sacrifice he did.

Answer 10

Abel spilled BLOOD, that's why... Cain's sacrifice of his crops was a bloodless sacrifice, so God wasn't satisfied!