Oooooops!
I got my characters confused – the corrected reflection
Hello there
Although we already know it, I wish to remind us that a sacrifice is an offering to a deity. In some cultures, this was the prerequisite for almost any request of the deity, and it could also be an expression of love. In either case, a sacrifice is usually a natural aspect of worship. With that said, please consider today’s Holy Nougat
“In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.” Genesis 4:3-5 NIV
Why was God displeased with Cain? We don’t know. We can speculate that he offered provisions from the field rather than animals; but remember – there were grain and sheave offerings as part of the later worship practices.
We might be correct in thinking that it was the way the offering was prepared – just some fruit from his field, randomly selected (also known as wat-leff ie what’s left after we select the best for ourselves), and apparently no effort made in the process at all. This seems to make sense when we compare Cain’s offering to Abel’s; who selected fat portions from the firstborn of his flock. One can sense the difference in effort right there. And we definitely know that God was not pleased with Cain’s sacrifice – in other parlance, it was unacceptable.
What do we offer to our God when we offer up a sacrifice?
And what is our motive behind our giving – negotiation or devotion?
When we offer ourselves, do we give God our wat-leff, or do we endeavor to be a first fruit offering to God each day?
When God is the Object AND the Subject of our worship, our aim is to please God and God alone. We respond to God’s sacrifice of God’s self for us, in tolerating our attitudes; and more so, through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God’s beloved Son.
Beloved friends, it is possible to give to God an acceptable gift; even if we are not farmers like Cain and Abel. Of our sinful selfish selves; it might not be possible – but through God’s Spirit, we are able to worship God with our offering, time and our bodies. But first, we have to have the desire.
Is God worthy of our desire?
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
