RE: appendix

Stromme wrote:
> Could it be argued that agriculture, represented by Cain, is not portrayed
as
> the best way of making a living? Why did God reject his offer?
>
> SA

Krogh wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I always thought it was because Cane's offering was a product of his own
hands or his own toiling. An portrait of what would be accepted as a perfect
offering as taught in the new testament, that our own works are as filthy
rags.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Don P:
This is certainly one view/aspect. But if man's behaviour is reflective of
God's, at least in some ways, would it not be safe to say that just as a
father would be happy to be given something "created by his own child's
hands", so would God? If not then should we not discourage our children
from creating anything with their own hands?

One could also take the view that the gift offered by Abel was greater than
that of Cain. Cain's loss in crop is minimal, compared to the potential
loss of flock size as a result of given up the firstborn, as Abel did. In
addition, to give something produced from the ground which has already been
"cursed", would be like a child given something to its parent, with money
acquired through drug dealing.

Rich states that agriculture does not seem to be preferred. In many
references in the Bible, I agree. Even Christ stated that the bird worries
not for food. All is provided by the Father. Gen 1:29 - "I give you every
seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has
fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food." Does this mean "only"
that which is naturally growing (produced by God)? If we were to eat
naturally growing plants, then what about those without seed? Why then
would it be those with seed? Seed can be used to produce crop through man's
action, as well as God's. Plants that require pollination would not have
been available as a source of agriculture at that time. So while
agriculture may not be preferred after the fall, it seems to be allowed even
before the fall.

Don P
Received on Sat Jan 8 17:18:59 2005