Abel's sacrifice was accepted because he offered it in faith, obeying God's instruction to bring a blood sacrifice; Cain's was rejected because he rationalized and brought a bloodless offering of self-will.
God had instructed that when conscience convicted people of sin, they were to bring a blood sacrifice and He would accept them. Abel did what God said, and Hebrews 11:4 says it was by faith that he offered a more excellent sacrifice and obtained witness that he was righteous. Cain, however, rationalized, deceived himself that God would accept him without blood, and refused the lamb God had provided. The difference was not the quality of the offering but faith expressed in obedience to God's word.
Genesis 4:4-5 — Records God's acceptance of Abel and his blood offering and rejection of Cain and his fruit-of-the-ground offering.
Hebrews 11:4 — Explains that it was by faith that Abel's sacrifice was more excellent than Cain's, and he obtained witness that he was righteous.
In Genesis 4, the text records that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD, while Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. The LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering, but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. When God spoke to Cain, He said, "If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?" The writer of Hebrews then clarifies that it was by faith Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts.
Les emphasizes that from the very beginning God instructed men that when conscience convicted them of sin, they were to bring a blood sacrifice and God would accept them. Abel brought the best of his flock—a blood sacrifice—and was accepted; Cain brought a bloodless sacrifice that grew from the ground. Cain's offering was an act of self-will, and God rejected it. As Les puts it, faith is taking God at His word, and Abel's sacrifice proved he was doing what God said to do.
In the early chapters of Genesis, before the Law, God dealt with people through conscience. When conscience convicted them of wrong, God instructed that they were to bring a blood sacrifice, and He would accept them. Abel brought a blood sacrifice as God instructed; Cain brought a bloodless offering from the ground, which could not shed blood. God said to Cain, "If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?" Les teaches that Cain's failure was his refusal to follow that instruction.
Hebrews 11:4 says Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. Les's answer is simple: it was more excellent because Abel did what God said to do, and Cain didn't. Abel brought the sacrifice in faith, which Les defines as taking God at His word. It was not the animal itself that made it excellent; it was the faith that caused Abel to bring exactly what God required.
Les notes that Cain was evidently a farmer and would have had no access to sacrificial animals unless he went and bartered with his brother Abel. Pride came into the picture, and Cain was not about to do that. Instead he rationalized, deceiving himself into thinking that if he made the offering beautiful enough and approached God with it, surely he would be accepted. God had even provided a lamb, but Cain would not take it.
Hebrews 11:4 says Abel obtained witness that he was righteous. Les teaches this does not mean Abel acted superior or appeared unusually holy. It means Abel was placed in a right relationship with God, back on a footing where communication with his Creator was possible. God made it clear that Abel had become accepted with Him.
Blood Sacrifice vs. Bloodless Offering
Les contrasts Cain's bloodless fruit-of-the-ground offering with Abel's best-of-the-flock blood sacrifice, and defines faith as taking God at His word.
Right Relationship and the Provided Lamb
Abel's blood sacrifice was accepted, putting him back in right relationship with God; Cain's bloodless self-will offering was rejected, and God told Cain a lamb was already provided.
Cain's Rationalization and Self-Deception
Cain deceived himself into thinking God would accept him without the blood; Abel did what God said, and being accepted or rejected is still the same issue today.
God's Offer to Cain
God told Cain that if he did well—bringing a blood sacrifice as Abel did—he would be accepted, but Cain's pride kept him from bartering for an animal.
Why Abel's Sacrifice Was More Excellent
Les explains that Abel's sacrifice was more excellent simply because Abel did what God said to do, while Cain did not.
Restoration Through the Blood Sacrifice
God offered restoration and reconciliation through the blood sacrifice; Abel was accepted because he obeyed, while Cain rejected and rationalized.
Conscience, Instruction, and Cain's Self-Will
God instructed that a blood sacrifice would bring acceptance, Abel obeyed by faith, and Cain rationalized that his own beautiful offering would surely be accepted.
Faith That Obtains Righteousness
Les shows from Hebrews 11:4 that Abel's acceptance was due to his faith, and by that faith he obtained witness that he was righteous.
Genesis 4:4: And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
Shows that Abel brought a blood sacrifice from his flock and that God accepted both him and his offering.
Genesis 4:5: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
Records God's rejection of Cain's offering and Cain's angry reaction.
Genesis 4:7: If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
God's direct question to Cain shows that acceptance was tied to doing what was well—what God had instructed.
Hebrews 11:4: 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.
The New Testament explanation that Abel's sacrifice was more excellent because it was offered by faith, and this faith brought witness of his righteousness.
The problem was not the kind of offering in itself but how it was offered. Abel brought what God instructed, in faith; Cain brought a bloodless offering of self-will and rationalized his disobedience.
Yes. God said to Cain, "If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?" Les also teaches that God told Cain a lamb had already been provided, but Cain refused to take it.
According to Les, it means Abel was placed in a right relationship with God, accepted by his Creator. It does not mean Abel acted superior or unusually holy; it means he was back on a footing where he could communicate with God.
The Bible records that God had no respect for Cain and his offering, and Cain was very wroth and his countenance fell. Les adds that Cain's pride kept him from humbling himself to do what God required.
Watch the Teaching: Cain vs. Abel: Why God Accepted One Offering and Rejected the Other