No — Cain's offering was rejected because he brought a bloodless, self-willed sacrifice instead of the blood sacrifice God had instructed.
Les Feldick teaches that Abel brought a blood sacrifice as God had instructed and was accepted, while Cain brought a bloodless sacrifice that was of self-will and was rejected. God even told Cain that a lamb had already been provided, but Cain refused to bring it. Hebrews 11:4 adds that Abel's sacrifice was more excellent because it was offered by faith.
Genesis 4:3-5 — This passage records the two offerings: Cain's fruit of the ground and Abel's firstlings of the flock, and it shows that the Lord accepted Abel's offering but not Cain's.
Hebrews 11:4 — The New Testament commentary on the event explains that Abel's sacrifice was more excellent because it was offered by faith.
Genesis 4:3-5 records two offerings: "Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD," while "Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof." The Lord had respect unto Abel and his offering, but "unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect." Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. In Genesis 4:6-7, the Lord asked Cain, "Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?" He then told him, "If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door." Hebrews 11:4 explains the difference in the offerings: "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain." Scripture likewise testifies that Abel offered his sacrifice by faith, which made it more excellent than Cain's.
Les Feldick makes the contrast simple: "Abel brought a blood sacrifice, as God had instructed, and God accepted it. But Cain brings a bloodless sacrifice, that which was of self-will. God rejected it." He says God had already "provided a lamb" and told Cain to go to his tent door, pick it up, bring it, and he would be accepted—but Cain would not [Clip 1]. Les explains that Cain rationalized and deceived himself, thinking God would accept him without the blood [Clip 4]. He describes Cain as "self-willed" and "destitute of faith"—he simply did not believe what God said [Clip 2]. Abel, by contrast, "did what God said to do," and that is why Hebrews 11:4 says his sacrifice was more excellent [Clip 7]. God did not immediately punish Cain. He pleaded with him and said, "If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?" [Clip 3]. Les applies this to the present: the human race has not changed—people still get angry when they are shown they are wrong and still try to approach God on their own terms rather than His [Clip 6].
Les Feldick teaches that God had instructed a blood sacrifice. Abel brought it and was accepted; Cain brought a bloodless sacrifice of self-will and was rejected. God told Cain that He had already provided a lamb, but Cain would not bring it.
In the biblical text, Cain brought "of the fruit of the ground," while Abel brought "the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof" (Genesis 4:3-4). Les describes Cain's offering as one "that cannot shed blood," because it grew from the ground, while Abel's was a blood sacrifice from the best of his flock.
The Lord said, "If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?" (Genesis 4:6-7). Les explains this as God pleading with Cain: if Cain would listen to what God said and do it, he would be accepted. Les also notes that God had a lamb waiting for Cain, but Cain would not bring it.
Hebrews 11:4 says, "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain." Les's explanation is direct: "Because Abel did what God said to do. Cain didn't." Abel's faith showed itself in obedience to God's instruction.
Les repeatedly describes Cain as "self-willed" and "destitute of faith." He rationalized, deceived himself, and thought God would accept him without the blood. Rather than trust God's provision, Cain became angry when his own approach was rejected.
Abraham’s Test of Faith: Why God Asked for Isaac – Bible Study
He turns behind and there is that ram caught in the thicket. But you know, God has never changed. Those of you who were with us and many out on television I know are just now beginning to watch our program, but go back with me, if you will, to Genesis chapter 4.
God's Provided Lamb
Les explains that God had instructed a blood sacrifice and had already provided a lamb for Cain, but Cain refused to take it and bring it.
Blood Sacrifice Versus Bloodless
Les directly answers why Abel was accepted and Cain rejected: Abel brought a blood sacrifice, Cain a bloodless one; Cain was self-willed and destitute of faith.
God's Plea to Cain
Les shows that God pleaded with Cain, telling him that if he did what God said he would be accepted.
Cain's Rationalization
Les says Cain rationalized and deceived himself into thinking God would accept him without blood, while Abel did what God said.
Two Kinds of Sacrifices
Les contrasts Cain's sacrifice, which could not shed blood, with Abel's blood sacrifice from the flock.
Anger at Being Shown Wrong
Les observes that, like people today, Cain's first reaction to having his offering rejected was anger.
Faith and Obedience
Les emphasizes Hebrews 11:4: Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice because he did what God said, while Cain did not.
Genesis 4:3: And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
This verse shows what Cain brought—fruit of the ground, which Les calls a bloodless 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:
This verse records that Abel brought the best of his flock, a blood sacrifice, and that God accepted it.
Genesis 4:5: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
This verse records God's rejection of Cain's offering and Cain's angry response.
Genesis 4:6: And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
God's question to Cain after he became angry shows that God did not immediately strike Cain but engaged with him.
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 tells Cain that acceptance was available if he did well, which Les interprets as a plea to obey God's instruction.
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 that Abel's sacrifice was more excellent because it was offered by faith.
God rejected Cain's offering because Cain brought a bloodless, self-willed sacrifice rather than the blood sacrifice God had instructed. Les Feldick says Abel was accepted because he brought what God told him to bring, while Cain brought what he thought God would accept without blood.
Les explains that God was pleading with Cain to do what He had instructed—bring a blood sacrifice—and if he did, he would be accepted. God even pointed to a lamb that was already provided, but Cain refused.
According to Les Feldick, yes. Les describes Cain as "destitute of faith" and "self-willed." He did not believe what God said, and he refused to accept God's provision of a lamb.
Hebrews 11:4 says Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice by faith. Les teaches that the excellence was not in the size or beauty of the gift but in the fact that Abel did what God said to do, while Cain did not.
Watch the Teaching: Abraham’s Test of Faith: Why God Asked for Isaac – Bible Study