A few short passages in Genesis 4 set the background for two contrasting forms of belief – one signifying that man’s own efforts will accomplish all that is necessary in life, another signifying that in some point of the future a life would have to be given to reconcile man to God.
The conflict between two brothers was indicative of the antagonism between the two types of belief that exists to this day.
Abel and his sacrifice were accepted by God. Cain and his offering were not.
