Yes — Abel's sacrifice was accepted because he offered it by faith, doing exactly what God had instructed.
God had instructed that a blood sacrifice was required, and Abel brought the firstlings of his flock, while Cain brought a bloodless offering of his own choosing. Les Feldick emphasizes that Abel was accepted because he took God at His word, whereas Cain was rejected for his self-will and rationalization.
Genesis 4:4 — God's acceptance of Abel's blood offering shows that Abel brought what God had instructed.
Genesis 4:7 — God's words to Cain reveal that acceptance was conditional on doing what God said.
Hebrews 11:4 — Explains why Abel's sacrifice was more excellent: it was offered by faith.
Genesis 4 records that Cain brought an offering to the Lord from the fruit of the ground, while Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. The Lord had respect for Abel and his offering, but He did not have respect for Cain and his offering. In verse 7, God asks Cain, "If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?" Hebrews 11:4 further explains that by faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, and by that faith he obtained witness that he was righteous.
Les Feldick teaches that the question of why Abel was accepted and Cain rejected boils down to a simple matter of obedience to what God said, or disobedience. God had instructed that a blood sacrifice was needed, and Abel obeyed by bringing the best of his flock, while Cain brought a bloodless sacrifice of self-will. Les stresses that Abel's sacrifice was more excellent because he did what God said to do — it was an act of faith, taking God at His word. Cain, on the other hand, rationalized and deceived himself into thinking God would accept him without the blood. God even pleaded with Cain, telling him that if he would do well he would be accepted, and that a lamb had already been provided. Les applies the same principle to today, noting that the human race hasn't changed and people still try to approach God on their own terms rather than by faith and obedience.
According to Les Feldick, the difference is clear: Cain's offering was a bloodless sacrifice of the ground — something he had grown and made beautiful by his own effort. Abel's offering was a blood sacrifice, the best of his flock. God had instructed a blood sacrifice, and Abel did what God said; Cain brought something of self-will. This is why God had respect unto Abel and his offering but not unto Cain's.
God rejected Cain's offering because Cain did not do what God said. Les points out that Cain rationalized, deceiving himself into thinking God would accept him without the blood. God graciously pleaded with Cain and told him that if he would do well, he would be accepted. God even went further and said a lamb had already been provided. Cain's pride kept him from going to barter for a sacrificial animal, so he chose his own way instead of God's.
Les Feldick teaches that it was not the sacrifice itself that made Abel righteous, but the faith behind it. Hebrews 11:4 says that by faith Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. Les defines that faith as taking God at His word. By doing what God had said, Abel obtained witness that he was righteous. His sacrifice was the outward evidence that he believed God.
Les Feldick teaches that the same premise runs all the way through Scripture: when people do what God says on the basis of faith, they are accepted. He warns that the human race hasn't changed one iota — people still rationalize and deceive themselves into thinking they can approach God on their own terms, just as Cain did. The lesson is that acceptance with God comes by taking Him at His word, not by self-will.
Obedience vs. Disobedience
Les explains that Abel was accepted because he brought the blood sacrifice God instructed, while Cain brought a bloodless sacrifice of self-will and was rejected.
Faith Shown by Doing What God Said
Les teaches that Abel's sacrifice was more excellent because Abel did what God said to do, and he connects this to the principle of personal faith.
Cain's Rationalization and Self-Deception
Les explains that Cain deceived himself into thinking God would accept him without blood, but Abel did what God said and was accepted.
Two Different Sacrifices
Les contrasts Cain's bloodless offering from the ground with Abel's blood sacrifice from the flock, showing why one was accepted and the other rejected.
God's Plea to Cain
Les shows that God pleaded with Cain, saying that if he would listen and do what God told him, he would be accepted.
Faith as Taking God at His Word
Les explains Hebrews 11:4, noting that Abel's faith was taking God at His word, and by that faith he obtained witness that he was righteous.
God Provided a Lamb
Les points out that God told Cain a sacrifice had already been provided, just as He later provided for Abraham.
Conscience and Cain's Rationalization
Les explains that God had instructed a blood sacrifice when conscience convicted of sin, but Cain rationalized and tried to approach God with his own beautiful offering.
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:
God accepted Abel's blood sacrifice, showing that this was the offering He received.
Genesis 4:5: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
God did not accept Cain's offering, causing Cain to be angry.
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 own words to Cain reveal that acceptance was conditional on doing what God said.
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.
This New Testament verse explains why Abel's sacrifice was more excellent: it was offered by faith.
God rejected Cain's offering because Cain did not do what God said. He brought a bloodless sacrifice of self-will instead of the blood sacrifice God had instructed. Les Feldick says Cain rationalized and deceived himself into thinking God would accept him without the blood.
Hebrews 11:4 says it was by faith that Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice. Les teaches that by taking God at His word, Abel obtained witness that he was righteous — his faith was the basis, and his sacrifice showed that faith in action.
Yes. Les Feldick teaches that the human race hasn't changed: people still rationalize and try to approach God on their own terms rather than by faith and obedience to what God has said. The principle of doing what God says on the basis of faith runs all the way through Scripture.
Watch the Teaching: Understanding Cain and Abel: Faith, Sin, and Civilization Explained