This is the first time in the Bible that these terms were used to classify animals into one of two groups…clean and unclean. Remember a biblical principle, that it repeats and enlarges. It is not until after the flood that more description is given for us of this classification (Leviticus 11, Deut. 14). But let’s back up and go back to the Garden of Eden.
Cain and Abel
Cain and Abel “in the process of time” each brought a sacrifice to God. Abel’s was accepted (Genesis 4:4). The offering was ‘of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof’. To garner a deeper understanding of the sacrifice, we need to look for more detail on the animal sacrificial system.
Without doubt, they were doing this because God had revealed to them the necessity of a sacrifice. We know that the prophecy of a Messiah was given to Adam and Eve in the garden by God himself (Genesis 3:15). So, they were given the ‘big picture’ of the sacrifice to come.
In addition, He clothed them with tunics made of skin (Genesis 3:21). Could this have been part of the conversation about the temporary sacrificial system which pointed to the actual Lamb to come? There must have been a lesson and instruction in all of this, for Adam and Eve had covered themselves with fig leaves…which was the work of their own hands. Did God show them that they could never cover their ‘nakedness’ (shame) by their own works? If that would have worked or been acceptable, then they would not have hide from God when they heard Him coming. The answer is that God must have instructed them concerning the details of acceptable sacrifice and worship, although those instructions are not included in the Genesis narrative.
Although unstated, it may be reasonable to assume that an innocent animal had to die for this, and perhaps even that it was understood as a kind of sacrifice (Gen. 3:21).
God’s providing clothes for the culprits became a symbolic act (pointing to Jesus, who covers us with his robe of righteousness). Just as the sacrifices in the desert sanctuary guaranteed the special relationship between God and His people, so the clothing in the Garden assured the guilty of God’s unchanging good will toward them.
So, from the earliest days of human history, sacrifices (clean animals) taught that sinful humans could find union with God, but only through the death of Jesus, prefigured in those sacrifices.
Only Clean Animals Used in Sacrifice
Only certain “clean” land animals were allowed for sacrifice oxen or cattle; sheep; and goats. These animals had cloven or split hooves and chewed the cud. So, Abel had to understand the difference between clean and unclean animals, for he selected a clean animal (lamb) to sacrifice.
Noah knew, for Genesis 8:20 tells us he built and altar, took clean animals, and made burnt sacrifice on it.
The Heart Condition
We also know that God looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). There was something in Cain’s motivation and heart attitude, and possibly something in his performance, that made his offering unacceptable to God. It was obviously something that he was aware of and could remedy, since God tells him after the fact, “You will be accepted if you do what is right” (Genesis 4:7).
“By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did” (Hebrews 11:4). Ever since the beginning, people must come to God in faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6), and faith is evidently what Cain lacked.
In Jude 1:11, we read, “They have taken the way of Cain,” a description that refers to lawless men. This may mean that they, like Cain, disobediently devised their own ways of worship, and they did not come to God by faith. Cain’s offering, while acceptable in his own eyes, was not acceptable to the Lord. In some way, Cain had perverted God’s prescribed form of worship, and his heart was not right. He grew jealous of Abel, and he selfishly nursed his wounded pride. Rather than repent at God’s rebuke, Cain became angry, and later, in the field, he killed Abel and brought judgment upon himself (Genesis 4:8).
The apostle John gives us more insight into Cain’s heart: “Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous” (1 John 3:12). The evil in Cain’s heart was further revealed when the Lord asked him, “Where is your brother Abel?” to which Cain replied, “I don’t know. . . . Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9). In this response Cain tells a stone-cold lie and shows an amazing level of insolence.
When Jesus Christ died upon the cross, He became the substitutionary atonement for our sins. The blood of Christ “speaks a better word than the blood of Abel” (Hebrews 12:24). Both Abel and Christ were slain by wicked men.
Post adapted from: GotQuestions, “Why did God accept Abel’s offering but reject Cain’s offering?”
Click on the link below to watch a biblical presentation regarding ‘clean and unclean’. Professor Walter Veith, Amazing Discoveries. “The Whole Truth – Clean and Unclean”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9UjzFoE1FI
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2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” AND 1 Thessalonians 5:21, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”