“THANKS”, IS A FREQUENT WORD in the OT, Hebrew “todah”. It is most often used in connection with joy, praise and song; expressing thanks for who God is and for His wondrous deeds of supernatural power. Under the law, the fellowship offerings were most often a todah, a sacrifice of thanksgiving.

In Ezra 10:11, “make confession” is literally “te nu todah”, “give thanks”, and the context implies that thanksgiving to God is meaningless apart from the acknowledgment and forsaking of sin. Therefore, to offer thanksgiving to God with no heart change, is a defective offering. You’re bringing Him a useless sacrifice.

Lots of theories surround why Abel’s sacrifice was accepted and Cain’s was not. I don’t believe it was the type, for one was grain and one was animal; I believe it was the heart condition behind it. Abel brought his first fruits. He gave his best lamb with a desire to live a life of thanksgiving unto the Lord. Cain gave his leftovers, with sin in his heart, “His own works were evil and his brother’s righteous” 1 John 3:12 Lesson: Wash your hands and purify your hearts; do not be double-minded.

Raised hands mean nothing if there’s no change in your ways and a pure desire to seek and honor the Lord. “I will wash my hands in innocence; So I will go about Your altar, O LORD, That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all Your wondrous works.” Psalms‬ ‭26:6-7‬ #runyourrace

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