January 2 – Genesis 4 – 7

Today’s reading comes from Genesis 4 – 7. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word.

Today’s reading takes us out of the Garden of Eden and into the lives of Adam and Eve’s first recorded children Cain and Able. We are introduced to a battle that will rage on throughout the course of human existence … pride verses humility.

Both Cain and Able presented God with sacrifices of worship, but only one found God’s favor. As I read this account I in now way see a difference between the offering choices. What I mean is I do not think God looked with more favorite at the animal sacrifice than the fruits of the soil sacrifice. Both were the product of each man’s labor. And that is what God desires.

However, I think what he found favor in was the idea that Abel brought the choicest selection he could. When I go to buy a quality steak I look for a piece with a good amount of fat because we know fat adds flavor to the cooked meat. Able brought of his firstborn, and not just the first born but the best part of the firstborn. This shows trust in God by giving the first born that what God provides afterward will be enough. It’s a great lesson in the spiritual discipline of tithing.

Cain on the other hand brought fruits of the soil. Exactly what these are we do not know. Because the Bible points out the quality of Abel’s offering we can assume that Cain’s was not to the level and sacrifice that his brothers was. God looked with favor over Abel’s and did not with Cain’s.

Sin has entered the scene and is now assaulting Cain’s pride so much so that he is willing to kill his brother in an act of rage. Friends, pride has caused the destruction of many human beings. On one of the first occurrences we see in the Bible it causes a life to be taken. On the other hand when we submit to humility we can learn a valuable lesson. Had Cain sought humility he would have learned from God’s words when God says in verse seven … “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.” Had Cain operated under humility he could have spared his brother’s life and learned a valuable lesson.

What in your life could you have done differently if you would have submitted to humility instead of your wounded pride? How can you avoid the pitfalls of pride in the future and learn humility?