Yes—God told Cain that doing well would bring acceptance, and Les Feldick says that meant obeying God’s blood-sacrifice instruction.
God didn’t instantly reject Cain; He asked why he was angry and promised, “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?” Les Feldick emphasizes that God was pleading with Cain to get right on God’s terms. Cain’s problem was not God’s unwillingness but his own refusal to bring the prescribed blood sacrifice.
Genesis 4:6-7 — This is the direct passage where God tells Cain that doing well will result in acceptance, answering whether God was willing to forgive/accept him.
When Cain’s offering was rejected, Scripture says Cain “was very wroth, and his countenance fell” (Genesis 4:5). The LORD then asked, “Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?” (Genesis 4:6-7). Instead of responding to God’s appeal, the next verse records that “Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him” (Genesis 4:8). The biblical text presents acceptance as God’s stated intention for Cain if he did well, and the immediate narrative records that Cain went the opposite direction.
Les Feldick teaches that God did not instantly strike Cain; instead, God “pleads with him.” In Les’s words, God was telling Cain, “If you would just listen to what I said and do that which I told you to do, I'd accept you.” Les also says God is “always anxious for the sinner to make a reconciliation by just simply doing what God has said.” Les contrasts Abel’s faith—bringing the prescribed blood sacrifice—with Cain’s rationalization and self-deception. Cain convinced himself God would accept him without the blood. Thus, according to Les, God’s offer of acceptance stood, but Cain refused it by choosing his own way.
God had instructed that a blood sacrifice was required for acceptance. Abel did what God said and was accepted; Cain rationalized, choosing to offer his own produce rather than go for a sacrificial animal. Les says Cain “deceived himself” into thinking God would accept him without the blood.
God told Cain, “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?” Les explains that “doing well” meant bringing the blood sacrifice as God had instructed. He notes that God even went a step further to make acceptance possible, but pride kept Cain from submitting.
Les says Cain was a man “destitute of faith” and rationalized God’s clear command. His first reaction to having his offering rejected was anger—an anger Les says is typical of people today when they are shown from the Word that they are wrong. Cain’s problem was not God’s lack of offer but Cain’s refusal to obey.
Sin Begets Sin
Les shows Cain’s descent from lack of faith to envy and finally murder, explaining why Cain ended up killing Abel.
God Pleads with Cain
Les emphasizes that God didn’t zap Cain but pleaded, telling him that if he would listen and obey God’s instruction he would be accepted.
God’s Desire for Reconciliation
Les says God is always anxious for sinners to be reconciled by doing what God has said—exactly the principle at work with Cain.
The Blood Sacrifice Requirement
Les explains that God required a blood sacrifice for acceptance; Abel obeyed by faith, while Cain rationalized.
Offered Reconciliation Rejected
Les shows that God had offered restoration through a blood sacrifice, but Cain rejected and rationalized that offer.
God’s Offer to Cain
Les reads Genesis 4:7 as direct proof that if Cain brought the blood sacrifice he would be accepted; pride stopped him.
Cain’s Rationalization
Les contrasts Abel’s faith-obedience with Cain’s self-deception that God would accept him without the blood.
Anger at Being Exposed
Les uses Cain’s angry reaction to illustrate how people respond when God’s Word shows them they are wrong.
Genesis 4:5: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
Shows the opening scene: God had no respect for Cain’s offering and Cain became angry.
Genesis 4:6: And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
God confronts Cain and engages him rather than destroying 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.
Contains God’s promise that doing well brings acceptance—the central evidence for this answer.
Genesis 4:8: And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
Records the murder of Abel, showing the outcome after Cain refused God’s terms.
In the passages Les teaches, Cain does not repent. He rationalizes God’s requirement and becomes angry when his offering is rejected, then murders Abel. Les presents him as continuing in that direction rather than humbling himself and obeying God.
God had instructed that a blood sacrifice was required for acceptance. Abel did what God said and was accepted; Cain rationalized and brought the fruit of his own labor instead of the prescribed sacrifice. Les says Cain deceived himself into thinking God would accept him without the blood.
God told Cain, “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?” Les explains that this meant bringing the blood sacrifice as God had instructed. God’s offer of acceptance was real, but Cain refused it.
Watch the Teaching: Understanding Cain and Abel: Faith, Sin, and Civilization Explained