What was the reason for Cain's jealousy towards Abel?

The reason for Cain's jealousy towards Abel stems from the fact that God favored Abel's offering of a lamb over Cain's offering of produce from the ground. In this biblical narrative, God accepted Abel’s sacrifice, which was an animal offering, while rejecting Cain’s grain offering. This favoritism led to Cain feeling dejected and envious of his brother, ultimately resulting in conflict that escalated to Cain committing a grave act against Abel. This highlights themes of jealousy, rejection, and the consequences of inadequate offerings in relation to divine favor.

The other options do not accurately reflect the biblical account. Abel's offering was not favored simply because it was wheat, nor did Cain’s feelings arise from his age or perceived superiority, as the core issue was rather about the acceptance of their respective offerings by God. While Cain may have had certain skills, such as farming, the primary catalyst for his jealousy was the divine preference for Abel’s lamb offering over his own. Hence, the correct understanding is rooted in the significance of God’s acceptance of the offerings rather than any inherent qualities of the individuals involved.