Did the Old Testament Greats Understand God's Plan? Part 4

This entry is part 4 of 45 in the series Did the Old Testament Greats Understand God's Plan?

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Did the Old Testament Greats Understand God's Plan?

Recap of Part 3: Last week’s bulletin spoke of Adam knowing his error and we see his guilt when he hid. Adam was fearful of the presence of the Lord after his mistake and he watched as God killed animals before him to make clothing. Next, he was driven from his home, Eden. Adam faced a new world than the one he knew, which included self-doubt, doubt in his partner, and fear.

Part 4

The bible tells us that Adam and Eve had children in their own image; Cain and Abel his twin brother. They were taught by their physical father Adam. We can see this clearly when both children decide to bring a sacrifice before the Lord. If they had not been taught, they would not understand the need for a sacrifice unto the Lord. However, we see both children bring their individual sacrifice to God. “And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. 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: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell (KJV Genesis 4:3-5). We must ask ourselves, did he know what he was doing? Did Cain understand why he needed to sacrifice? Did he understand what it represented? Could he not see that bringing a sacrifice before the Lord which showed off his own work was not acceptable, but that only God’s work would be? This is how denominational preachers teach today. They speak of themselves and what they have done for God. They give their witness to you and explain how their experience is unique and holy, verses the plain old text from the bible. The true sacrifice was Christ and Abel’s sacrifice spoke of this. We all should know that. Why would you bring a sacrifice before the Lord which spoke of your own work, as if it even came close to the work that God has done for us. We must humble ourselves and realize that it is not about what we have done for God, but it is about what he has done for us.

“By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh” (KJV Hebrews 11:4). Unfortunately, the sad truth is, that Cain slew his twin brother Abel, because of the jealousy he held in his heart. “And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him” (KJV Genesis 4:6-7). He knew his own father had committed sin and suffered its consequences, but he decided killing was a good option. Because this was not a command during that period, Cain did not commit a sin, but he did face consequences for his actions. “And he (God) said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground. And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand; When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth” (KJV Genesis 4:10-12).

In the end of this story we see that Cain could not grow the crops he brought as a sacrifice, but his penalty was to become a Shepard and survive by that means. Did he live a Godly life after this? How hard was his struggles with keeping a flock? Did he suffer for the loss of his brother? Did he understand the faith of Adam or Abel? Did he ever learn this? What did he know?

Series Navigation<< Did the Old Testament Greats Understand God’s Plan? Part 3Did the Old Testament Greats Understand God’s Plan? Part 5 >>

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Did the Old Testament Greats Understand God’s Plan? Part 4

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