Editing Cain (section)

=== Jewish and Christian interpretations ===

A question arising early in the story is why God rejected Cain's sacrifice. The text states, "In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor."<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+4%3A3-5&version=NIV Genesis 4:3-5a].</ref> Noteworthy is the difference in the type of sacrifice: fruits of the soil are renewable and bloodless, while fat portions are set apart for the Lord<ref>[see [https://biblehub.com/leviticus/3-16.htm Leviticus 3:16]</ref> and taken from the firstborn, pointing to an act of faith, since it is not guaranteed there will be more. The [[Midrash]] suggests that although Abel brought the best meat from his flock, Cain did not set aside the best of his harvest for God.<ref>Doukhan 2016, pp. 57, 61.</ref>

Similar to the internalized spiritual death, God warns Adam and Eve off from eating the forbidden fruit—they do not physically die immediately, but over time, their bodies age and die—the Lord warns Cain that his inappropriate anger is waiting to consume him: "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door. It desires to have you, but you must rule over it.<ref>[ [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+4%3A7&version=NIV Genesis 4:7]</ref>