Thank you for your insights concerning the account of Cain and Abel.
Here are some of mine:
Abel is translated from the Hebrew word Hebel (heh'-bel) and means “breath.” The Hebrew word “hebel” can also mean “vapor” or can be taken figuratively meaning “vanity” (as you used in your post). A breath or a vapor is something that is brief and fleeting. Abel may have been a prophetic name indicating that his life would be cut short
Some people have suggested that Cain's offering was unacceptable because he offered plants while Abel offered animal sacrifices. Of course, without blood there is no remission of sin (Hebrews 9:22). While this passage foreshadows salvation by the sacrifice of the Lamb of God and that we cannot be saved by our “works,” I don't think that necessarily this is the reason that the Cain’s sacrifice was unacceptable.
Although the grain offering was a bloodless sacrifice, God not only accepted grain offerings when the sacrificial system was instituted but in some cases required them. In fact there was a time in Israel’s history that because of the rebellious attitude of the people that animal sacrifices were meaningless in the eyes of the LORD.
“The multitude of your sacrifices— what are they to me?” says the LORD. “I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals, I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. Isaiah 1:11
The passage does give us some insight into what made their sacrifices pleasing to the LORD or not. It says that Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn. He not only offered the“firstfruits” of his flock, he also offered the choicest parts. Abel was clearly giving the best of what he had to God. Cain, on the other hand, brought some of the fruits of the soil, and not the firstfruits. The portion he offered may have been damaged or what Cain considered “leftover.” Abel's and Cain's actions were a reflection of their attitudes towards God. Was the LORD God worthy to receive their very best offering or not?
I did a 7 part series based on the Hebrew language and culture called, "Revealing the Mysteries of the Bible." The links are found on the following post:
VIDEO: ALL OF CREATION BEARS THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF OUR DIVINE CREATOR
https://steemit.com/christianity/@lastdays/video-all-of-creation-bears-the-image-and-likeness-of-our-divine-creator
If you find the video enlightening, you may enjoy reading one or more of the posts in the series. I would appreciate it if you took a few minutes to view the video and then would let me know your comments about it.
RE: DAILY WALK WITH GOD 10 - IN-DEPTH STUDY OF CAIN & ABEL PART 1