What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "Examine, based on the writings of Ellen G. White, why Cain knew about the prescribed sacrifice of a lamb but nevertheless brought produce from the field; what reasons lay behind his rejection of the divine order; and how his attitude toward obedience and compliance changed over the different stages. Include the Chinese Union Version of the Bible (和合版聖經), the perspective of Seventh-day Adventists (SDA), and the SDA Bible Commentary. Do not invent anything."
Answer
According to Ellen G. White, Cain knew God’s sacrificial ordinance; his offering of produce was not the result of ignorance but a deliberate choice of self-reliance and personal merit instead of acknowledging his need of salvation. At first, he obeyed outward aspects of the command while omitting its essential meaning; after his offering was rejected, he clung to his attitude and progressed from anger and accusations to envy, hatred, and violence. The quotations provided contain neither the text of the Chinese Union Version of the Bible (和合版聖經) nor the SDA Bible Commentary, so I cannot reliably incorporate or claim what either says.
Cain’s knowledge of the sacrificial ordinance
»These brothers were tested, as Adam had been tested before them, to show whether they would believe and obey the word of God. They knew of the provision made for the salvation of man, and understood the system of offerings which God had ordained. […] Without the shedding of blood there could be no remission of sin; and they were to show their faith in the blood of Christ as the promised atonement by offering the firstlings of the flock in sacrifice. […] But Cain disregarding the direct and explicit command of the Lord, presented only an offering of the fruits of the ground.«
Self-reliance instead of acknowledging his need of salvation
»Cain came before God with murmuring and infidelity in his heart in regard to the promised sacrifice and the necessity of the sacrificial offerings. His gift expressed no penitence for sin. He felt, as many now feel, that it would be an acknowledgment of weakness to follow the exact plan marked out by God, to trust his salvation wholly to the atonement of the promised Saviour. He chose the course of self-dependence. He would come in his own merits. […] Cain obeyed in building an altar, in obeying in bringing a sacrifice; but he rendered only a partial obedience. The essential part, the recognition of the need of a Redeemer, was left out.«
Unwillingness to depend on another and wounded pride
»He was unwilling to be dependent upon Abel for a sacrifice. He would not go to him and ask for a lamb. He thought his own works perfect, and these he presented to God. […] Abel repeated to his brother the very words of God’s command to both of them concerning the offerings He required. Cain was exasperated because his younger brother presumed to teach him. He allowed envy and jealousy to fill his heart. He hated his brother because he was preferred before him.«
After the rejection: from anger to persistent rebellion
»When Cain saw that his offering was rejected, he was angry with the Lord and with Abel. […] God did not leave Cain to himself, notwithstanding his disregard of the divine command, but condescended to reason with him, who had shown himself so unreasonable. […] The matter rested with Cain himself. […] But instead of acknowledging his sin, he continued to complain of the injustice of God, and to cherish jealousy and hatred of Abel. […] In the fury of his passion he slew his brother.«
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
EGW Vision helps you find topics, statements, and quotes faster, especially when many original sources are not yet fully available in your language. The tool searches semantically, groups relevant content by topic, and presents matching results as clearly as possible in your language.
My hope is that this tool supports personal Bible study, strengthens trust in the original sources, and helps more people discover the message of these writings with clarity, depth, and joy.
