Meaning for the name Abel:
"Biblical name, borne by the younger son of Adam and Eve, who was murdered for reasons of jealousy by his brother Cain (Genesis 4:1-8). The Hebrew form is Hevel, ostensibly representing the vocabulary word hevel 'breath, vapour', and so taken to imply vanity or worthlessness. Abel is considered by the Christian Church to have been a pre-Christian martyr (see Matthew 23:35), and is invoked as a saint in the litany for the dying. Nevertheless, his name has not been much used either before or after its brief vogue among the Puritans."
Matthew Henry commentary, regarding Cain as 'the possession' contrasted with Abel as 'the vanity':
"The less we expect of creatures the more tolerable will disappointments be. "
Forgive them for they know not what they are doing!? So many live ignorant in unbelief. (see Luke 23:34)
"What, at first, we are fond of, as a possession, afterwards we see cause to be dead to, as a trifle."
For we hold on tightly to our own desires, like Eve did with Cain the first born as seen evident by the name chosen for man is at best vanity!
Psalms 39:5-6 NASB2020
[5] “Behold, You have made my days like hand widths, And my lifetime as nothing in Your sight; Certainly all mankind standing is a mere breath. Selah [6] “Certainly every person walks around as a fleeting shadow; They certainly make an uproar for nothing; He amasses riches and does not know who will gather them.
https://bible.com/bible/2692/psa.39.5-6.NASB2020
"The tree must be good for the fruit to be pleasing."
Ether this be actual fruit of the earth like Cain or flock of sheep like Abel. In either case it is a matter of the heart. God does not judge based on seen substance but of the unseen motives. What is your motive friend? Is your heart in the right place? Let's get it there lest you m be caught up in yourself on the day of His return. Hebrews 11 speaks to the importance of faith by examples of many, here it is clear why the Lord was displeased:
Hebrews 11:4 NASB2020
[4] By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was attested to be righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.
https://bible.com/bible/2692/heb.11.4.NASB2020
How foolish for Cain to have a heart posture turned in anger towards the Lord rather than himself, gone the pious way - the hypocrisy of those with hearts of stone. For hearts of flesh posture in reverent stance toward the Almighty - be it during times of blessing or trial upon reflection of the natural fallen state:
Luk 18:13 KJV - 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Who is this Cain, one that would question the Lord and his acceptance (or lack of) of the offering! A fool. God is so patient. Time and time again he offers us a way to get right with Him. How will you answer sinner? His grace and mercy abounds. There is no sin he cannot blot out. For if He conquered death... do you think that the same power cannot deliver you from your inequities?!? Or be it insufficient grace? No.
2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Even Paul, who had slain many Christians before conversion, was shown mercy for his own transgressions:
1 Timothy 1:13
Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.
Will you knock? He stands waiting for you to invite him in your heart.
Revelation 3:20 NASB2020
[20] Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
https://bible.com/bible/2692/rev.3.20.NASB2020
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