*DAILY DEW 26/JUNE/2023* *The Way of Cain* _Key Bible Text:_ *"Woe unto them! for they have gone in THE WAY OF CAIN, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core."* (Jude 1:11 (KJV)) _Bible Insight:_ Let’s revisit the story of Cain. It contains a warning – the way of Cain – but in the telling you will see that God also reveals the way of Life. Cain (Genesis 4) was the firstborn of Adam and Eve, brother – perhaps twin brother – of Abel. Cain followed in his father’s footsteps and became a farmer; Abel tended flocks. The rabbis speculate that there was tension between them for a variety of reasons. It doesn’t help that Cain’s name means “gotten” – “I’ve gotten a man” says Eve, a man who will be the serpent crusher God promised - while Abel’s name means “vanity, vain, meaningless, empty.” In Ecclesiastes, when Solomon says “all is vanity,” Abel’s name and the word for vanity are derived from that word. Because names were associated with character, many rabbis speculated that this vain and empty Abel was trying to undermine Cain and get what belonged to the first born. Think Jacob and Esau. The story picks up in Genesis when Cain offered vegetables to the Lord as his way of worshiping (Genesis 4:3) and Abel offered animals from his flock (Genesis 4:4). The Lord accepted Abel's offering, which was offered in faith (Hebrews 11:4), but He rejected Cain's offering (Genesis 4:4–5).[1] What does “offered in faith” mean? It appears to simply mean that Abel followed instructions. He believed God had the authority to determine the path of life. When God later confronts Cain, the language suggests that Cain knew what to do and just didn’t do it. He had experience knowing what it was like to have his offering accepted. Depending on the translation that you read, God tells Cain that he rejected his offering because it was not divided correctly. Assuming that food in these offerings was not wasted (the priests under Moses were fed by the food offerings), it seems Cain did not properly divided his offering for others per God’s instructions (or so the rabbis speculated). He also chose “some” of his crop rather than his choice crop (Genesis 4:3-5). _MEDITATION:_ *“Having faith is having the obedience to do what you know is right. As James 4:17 says *"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."* EDJ *#David_Guzik* *#Daily_Wisdom_for_living* *#Becoming_More_Like_Jesus* *#The_Rise_of_An_Army* *#Daily_Dew_Devotional* *#Hello_JUNE,2023* ❤ *#Guest_Message* Links To Visit: *FB Pages* https://www.facebook.com/DavidJoshuaEgbochuo/ https://www.facebook.com/thedavidgen/ https://www.facebook.com/THEREVIVALCORPS/ *Telegram Group:* https://t.me/joinchat/NzXQlVc9Hx7LfaRSnh9fHg Feel Free to Share with Friends. God bless you...