Why did god reject Cain's sacrifice?

Answer 1

Because God wanted blood. Cain offered only crops, whereas Abel killed one of his sheep and burned it as an offering.

Answer 2Biblical scholars often say that God refused Cain's offering because of his sins.

Just like we read later in this story.

Genesis 4:3-6

"At the designated time Cain brought some of the fruit of the ground for an offering to the Lord. But Abel brought some of the firstborn of his flock - even the fattest of them. And the Lord was pleased with Abel and his offering, but with Cain and his offering he was not pleased. So Cain became very angry, and his expression was downcast. Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why is your expression downcast? Is it not true that if you do what is right, you will be fine? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. It desires to dominate you, but you must subdue it."

Also, lets emphasize that God is speaking with Cain. He gives him another chance, shows him what is wrong in his behavior. God doesn't speak with Abel, which means that He makes a first step towards siners. Cain could listen to God and give good offering another time but he has chosen otherwise.

Answer 2

Uhh... no witnesses?

"Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die." (Num.35:30)

God wanted Cain to live with the deep regret of murdering his brother. Simply killing Cain would have just put him out of his misery. Cain would forever live with the regret of murdering his brother. That is a far greater punishment.

Answer 3

Many scholars believe that the story of Cain and Abel is a myth. S. H. Hooke (Middle Eastern Mythology) shows a clear parallel between the biblical account and an older middle eastern myth in which Tammuz had to choose between the shepherd-god and the farmer-god. In the biblical story, God chose between Abel, the shepherd, and Cain, the farmer.

Answer:

This account reveals the institution of "sacrifices" [offerings to God] for the purging of sins among men, following in the wake of man's transgression against his Creator.

God would have accepted Abel's "offering" over Cain's, because BLOOD was involved in Abel's [the keeper of sheep - Gen.4:2] sacrifice.

"...almost all things are by the law purged with BLOOD; and without shedding of BLOOD is no remission." (Heb.9:22)

Plus... as scripture also reveals... Abel's offering involved his "faith" in what he was doing:

"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." (Heb.11:4)

Answer 4

Biblical scholars often say that God refused Cain's offering because of his sins.

Just like we read later in this story.

Genesis 4:3-6

"At the designated time Cain brought some of the fruit of the ground for an offering to the Lord. But Abel brought some of the firstborn of his flock - even the fattest of them. And the Lord was pleased with Abel and his offering, but with Cain and his offering he was not pleased. So Cain became very angry, and his expression was downcast. Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why is your expression downcast? Is it not true that if you do what is right, you will be fine? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. It desires to dominate you, but you must subdue it."

Also, lets emphasize that God is speaking with Cain. He gives him another chance, shows him what is wrong in his behavior. God doesn't speak with Abel, which means that He makes a first step towards siners. Cain could listen to God and give good offering another time but he has chosen otherwise.

Answer 5

Because Cain didnt give the best of the fruits of his labor to god, he only gave god the stuff that he didnt want.