Refton Brethren in Christ Church

Two Questions from the text:
1. Why were Cain and Abel making an offering to Yahweh?
2. Why did Yahweh only accept Abel's offering?

- Cain's offering was a "grain" or "thank" offering
- Abel's offering was a "sin" offering

Both are legitimate offerings! However...

- Cain brought leftovers, Abel brought his best

Question: How does the author of Hebrews know that Abel was considered righteous?

highlight - "sin is crouching at your door"

2 overlapping meanings:
- It's a metaphor for the corruption of a person's heart (2 Peter 1:4)
- It has to do with "your door"

Hebrew Meditation Literature

- Certain details are intentionally left out which causes you to ask questions and continue reading. Later accounts will often replay earlier accounts to fill in the gaps and give the reader insight.

So how does the author of Hebrews know that Abel was considered righteous?

It's because he read the accounts of Noah and Abraham

- Both Noah and Abraham were considered righteous

But wait - there's more!

The accounts of Cain and Abel, Noah and Abraham all point toward the Jerusalem Temple

- The priests were symbolically acting out a reentry into Eden when they went through the Temple doors. It was a constant reminder for them that Yahweh God takes sin seriously!

Some scholars suggest that maybe Cain and Abel's offerings were an attempt at going back through Eden's door - although we can't be sure

Abel - righteous; trusted Yahweh; gave his best
Cain - rebellious; took for himself; gave his leftovers

Are we going to trust Jesus or not? Are we going to give Him our best?

Recommended Resource:
1. Bible Project, "Temple" video, available on Youtube