YOU FIRST

Every government on the face of the earth is responsible for setting the standard of the various goods and services used in its country. This is normally done through the establishment of different institutions tasked by the government to undertake this very important duty. For example, in Kenya  the institution tasked with the preparation of standards relating to products, measurements, materials, processes, e.t.c. and their promotion at national,regional and international levels among other responsibilities is KEBS (Kenya Bureau of Standards).


With the same breadth, the heavenly government sets the standard for acceptable worship. Genesis 4:3-5 "... Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD.  4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering,  5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.  reminds me of a lesson we learnt in kids Sunday school with regards to acceptable sacrifice. I appreciate the effort of my Sunday school teacher in laboring to expound this text. She said that Cain's sacrifice was rejected because he offered rotten tomatoes and onions. Well, that interpretation inspired me to endeavor to give God the very best however it fell short of the true interpretation as intended by the author.


Some people assume that Cain's sacrifice of fruit was deficient because it did not involve the shedding of blood, which God required for forgiveness of sins (Heb. 9:22). Yes! this can't be ruled out, however, nothing in chapter 4 indicates that Cain and Abel came to God for forgiveness; their sacrifices were acts of worship. In the later sacrificial system of Israel, God blessed the presentation of grain offerings alongside the sacrifices of animals (Leviticus 6:14-23). A farmer presented a portion of his produce just as a herdsman presented a sample of his flock.

Cain's sacrifice was deficient because Cain did not "do well" (v. 7). Verse 4 clearly says "...and the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering." God respected or looked with favor first upon the person, then on his sacrifice.

This is consistent with Psalm 40:6  Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; My ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. , 1 Samuel 15:22  Then Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.  and Jesus' teaching on the sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:23-24  "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,  24 "leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.


That is the standard of acceptable worship as set out by the Heavenly government. The focus is on you first, then your sacrifice explaining why we need to examine our ways so that we can worship Him in a manner that befits the King of Kings.