A pure desire from the heart…. (devo reflection)

Gen 4:3-4 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….
I have never really taken time to slow down and look at the specifics of this verse. The English teacher in me is a bit chagrined that it took reading commentaries on this verse to pick up the subtle nuances. God did not favor Abel because He liked Abel better. He favored Abel because Abel’s sacrifice was a pure desire from the heart to please God by offering his best—fat portions from the firstborn. Cain’s offering came from his excess—some of the fruits of the soil, not the best. Cain was just going through the motions.
Gen 4:7 “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.”
Commentaries suggest the perhaps other brothers were aligning themselves to Abel instead of Cain, the firstborn, and that that is what “being accepted” refers to. Regardless, I think “doing what is right” refers to getting his heart right, putting God first, offering Him first fruits. God is saying, “Put Me first and everything else will fall into place. You will no longer have to fight to feel accepted. But you must do what is right. Put Me first in your life and your heart.”
Gen 4:8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the ability to read Your word through new eyes, seeing new insights. Thank You for not condemning Cain instantly because he was pandering to You with his sacrifice. Your response was not damnation but rather conversation. “If you do what is right…” You gave him a choice and a chance, just as You do for us today. You love us and want us to turn to You, to love You, to put You first, knowing that if we do, everything will fall into place for us. But You don’t force us. You let us choose You. Help me, Lord, every moment of every day to put You first in my life. Draw me closer. Amen.
Gen 4:10 The LORD said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.”
Have a blessed day.