Journey Through Scripture - Day 2

The Journey Through Scripture posts are written for the ladies in the small group that I am leading. We are spending the next year together reading through the entire Bible.

Day 2: Genesis 4-6, Matthew 2

I would encourage you to complete the reading before you read the blog posts :)

Genesis 4:3 -- Cain brought some of his fruit as an offering. He didn't choose the first or the best.

Verse 4 -- Abel brought an offering from the firstborn of his flock.

God looked with favor on Abel and his offering. This made Cain upset, perhaps even jealous. Verse 7 says 'If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?' They were each given the same choice, the same opportunity to bring an offering that would be acceptable. They each knew what an acceptable offer was and Cain chose not to offer it. So what was really the difference in their offerings?? Does God just require robot-like obedience? I believe that their offerings reflect the condition of their hearts and show us the state of each of their relationships with God. Abel's heart was in a state of worship as he came before his creator with his offering. I am not sure where Cain's heart was when he came before the Lord, but he was not *Worship* focused.

I want to challenge you to think about this:

Do you more closely identify with Cain or with Abel?

Are we like Abel? Giving God the best of ourselves? The best of our talents and what we have to offer? 

Or are we like Cain? Do we hold back the best of ourselves from God and then get bitter and upset when He doesn't bless our 'efforts'?? 

I think if we are honest with ourselves, we are alot more like Cain than we care to admit. 

I pray ladies that you are keeping up with the reading and that God is blessing you through His Word!