Abel

“By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.” Hebrews 11:4

We all know Abel as the son of Adam and Eve who was killed by his brother, Cain. Abel was killed because Cain was jealous that God had found favour with Abel’s sacrifice and not his.

Abel was a shepherd, we see that in Genesis 4:4. It talks about “his flock.” Cain was a farmer, he grew fruits and vegetables. It came time to offer their sacrifices to the Lord and they both brought the best that they had. Cain brought the fruit of the ground while Abel brought the first and the best of his flock, and they offered it unto the Lord.

Here is where the story takes a turn. Cain saw that the Lord had respect unto Abel’s offering while the Lord had no respect unto his offering. This made Cain wroth and he became angry. He became so angry, that he called his brother and went out to the field. There Cain became known as the first murder in history, because there he killed his brother Abel.

So how did Abel make it into the Hall of Faith? What did he do that was that was so important?

The one thing that stands out to me in this story is that Abel believed in and offered a blood sacrifice. What makes this so important? In Genesis 3:21 it says, “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.” This is the first time in all of time that a sacrifice was made for someone. God made coats out of animal skins to cover up Adam and Eve’s nakedness. This was the first blood sacrifice in history and it was done by God Himself.

Throughout the Old Testament, we see the blood sacrifice play significant roles in time. There was Moses and the children of Israel when God told them to put the blood of a lamb on the doorposts. The high priest offered the blood sacrifice every year for the sins of Israel. Then as we journey into the New Testament, we see the ultimate blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ Himself as He died on the cross, shed all His blood and rose again to be our Saviour, to cover our sins.

Abel made it into the Hall of Faith because he continued in the sacrifice of animals that God had started in Genesis 3:21. He choose to follow God in what He offered while Cain decided to give what he thought best.

So many people today are like Cain. They are trying to get to Heaven on what they think is best. They are trying to get to Heaven on the fruit of their good works. God has clearly stated in the Bible, all the way back in Genesis that fruits and good works do not please Him when it comes to the matter of salvation. It is only through the blood of Jesus Christ that covers our sins.

Abel had faith in the blood sacrifice, that it would please God. Where is your faith? Is it in the works you do or in the blood of Jesus Christ?

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