Genesis 4 tells us the story of two brothers: Cain and Abel. Both bring God a sacrifice. One is accepted, one is not. Hebrews 11:4 tells us that Abel’s sacrifice was motivated by his faith in God. Over and over again in Scripture we see that, for God, it’s not what we give that matters. It’s why we give. Abel’s sacrifice came from a heart that believed in God and who He said He was. God knew Cain’s heart was not in it. He knew that “faith” and “love” were not motivating his sacrifice. When Cain responded to God’s correction and warning it was with anger.
Why wasn’t his gift found pleasing?
Why was Abel God’s favorite?
Ultimately, Cain’s issue was with God, yet Abel was the one he targeted. Abel who said nothing to Cain. Abel who had not rejected Cain’s sacrifice. Abel who had done nothing wrong.
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This past year, my children and I studied volcanoes. One of our unit projects required us to build our own volcano from various materials and “explode” it with baking soda and vinegar so that we could watch the “lava” fill up the chamber within the volcano and spew out from the top. As I watched the chamber fill, I realized how much people can be like volcanoes. The pressure of all that we have “stuffed” inside and not dealt with can too often lead to “explosions” with far reaching consequences.
Cain was one such “volcano.” Erupting with unresolved rage, he killed Abel and the cost of that explosion was not only his brother, but also his birthright and his family.
In Genesis 4:13, Cain cries, ““My punishment is greater than I can bear.”
Can’t you hear his agony?
Every time I read this passage of scripture, my heart breaks for Abel, for Cain, and for all that was lost. It didn’t have to end this way – with a mother mourning the loss of both of her sons.
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Romans 12:1-2
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
As we bring our lives to the Lord as “living sacrifices” and lay all that we are on the altar– His fire will refine us and remove from us all that does not belong. I can’t tell you how many times I have had to lay my attitude before the Lord and ask Him to purify me, how many times I have felt the volcano about to erupt and found a quiet room to get real with Jesus and pour out my heart before Him before I exploded. The transformation has always began in the place of surrender and continued with the choice to “renew my mind.”
This happens through the “washing with water by the Word (Ephesians 5:26).” As we open our Bibles and dig into scripture, as we study out the truths of His Word, and as we memorize and meditate on the verses we read – the chamber of heart will fill to overflowing. Yet this time, the outpour will not bring damage. It will bring healing.
Galatians 5:22-23 tells us that the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, meekness, and self-control. When we “fill up” the chamber of our heart with the RIGHT things, THIS will be the overflow!
Gettin' Real WIth It
· What are some things that have helped you let go of anger, frustration or stress that is bottled up inside? What has helped you heal from hurt caused by others?
· Are you good at “letting go” or do you tend to hold on to things for a long time? If so, why do you think that is?
· Which type of “explosion” is the most common in your life – one that brings damage or one that brings healing?
***This Blog is an excerpt from Planted Bible Study, Book 1: Relationships. Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Planted-Bible-Study-Women/dp/B094CXWT84/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=nicole+m+homan&qid=1621605185&sr=8-3