Cain's Sinful Sacrifice, a pathology of unbelief, idolatry, and bitter jealousy

“In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.” (Genesis 4:3–5, ESV)

The question of Cain’s sacrifice comes up frequently among students of the Bible. What exactly did Cain do that made his sacrificial worship unacceptable? Based on what we find in the rest of Scripture, crops and animals were acceptable forms of worship, so the substance of the sacrifice wasn’t the problem. The main thing that God looks at is the heart of the worshiper (1 Sam 16:7). In this regard, it was not the content of the sacrifice that was unacceptable, it was Cain. He offered a faithless sacrifice (Heb 11:4) that revealed an idolatrous heart—he loved his produce more than God (Jude 11). This is the first recorded example of idolatry/false worship in human history. Cain elevated his produce over God in his heart because he didn’t trust God. As is always the case, Cain’s idolatry compounded into a cluster of deadly sins.

“The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.” (Genesis 4:6–8, ESV)

The first example of idolatrous worship in the Bible led to the first murder recorded in the Bible. It took place because Cain resented his brother’s righteousness (1 Jn 3:11-12) and wanted his own desires to be gratified in worship (Jas 4:1-3). As a result, bitterness and sin ruled his heart (Jas 1:14-15; Rom 6:12). Those who refuse to repent cannot stand even the presence of those who have submitted to God. Cain betrayed his brother in an attempt to quiet his conscience and satisfy his desires without submitting to God. What happened next reveals what happens in a heart such as this.

“Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him. Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.” (Genesis 4:8–16, ESV)

The similarities between God’s response to Cain and his response to Adam is unmistakable. The point in this parallel is that original sin has been passed down to all subsequent generations of mankind. As with Adam and Cain, sin continues to disrupt man’s relationship with God with destructive results. But there is one massive difference between these two accounts—Adam responded with faith (3:20), whereas Cain responded with selfish pride (v. 14). The text never indicates that Cain repented of his sin or even had remorse over the murder of his brother.