ABEL AND HIS SACRIFICE
“Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering,” (Genesis 4:4).
As a shepherd, Abel dedicated everything in his life to “the glory of God.” Therefore, when he offered a sacrifice upon an altar, the Lord regarded both Abel and his offering. Abel “…brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering.” However, the Lord was not pleased with Cain’s offering of the fruit of the ground. Why? What is the significance, and what is the difference between these two offerings?
The offering of Cain represented the work of his own hands, but Abel’s offering symbolized the finished work of Christ. John 1:29 says, “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’”
Abel’s offering was symbolic of our Lord’s sacrifice on the cross. Like the first streak of light that tinges the east at sunrise, it does not reveal everything, but it clearly indicates that the sun is rising.
As we see Abel, a shepherd and a priest, offering his sacrifice as a sweet aroma to God, we recognize our Lord Jesus, who presented His sacrifice to His Father— a sacrifice that Jehovah eternally honors.
Although Abel was hated by his brother without a righteous cause, so was our Savior. Cain, a type of the natural and carnal man, hated the accepted Abel, in whom the Spirit of grace was present, and stopped at nothing until his blood was shed.
I John 3:11-12 says, “For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain, who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.”
After Abel fell to the ground, the Lord asked Cain, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground,” (Genesis 4:10). Abel’s blood draws our attention to our Savior, Jesus Christ. Abel was slain by man’s enmity while serving as a priest before the Lord. Our Savior said in John 10:15, “…I lay down my life for the sheep.”
Let us each examine our hearts as we view Him slain by mankind’s hatred, staining the horns of His altar with His own blood. Abel’s blood cries out; it speaks vengeance. “The Lord said unto Cain, ‘The voice of your brother’s blood cries unto Me from the ground.’” However, the blood of Jesus has a louder voice; its cry is not vengeance but forgiveness.
It is priceless beyond measure to stand at the altar, at the cross of our Good Shepherd! To see Him bleeding there as “the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world.” As our heavenly high priest, He offered Himself spotless to satisfy His Father’s wrath over our sin.
Now, His blood speaks peace to all His flock: peace between man and his offended Creator, peace within our conscience, peace among former enemies, and peace through eternity for fallen mankind.
Abel was the first shepherd of all shepherds, but our hearts will always honor Jesus above all. He is the shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep, and we, His people, will praise His holy name forever.
The blood of Abel cried out from the ground for Vengeance, but the blood of Jesus cries out to the world for Pardon! Amen.
Today, we uplift in prayer the family, friends, and supporters of the remarkable Christian apologist, Charlie Kirk, whose vibrant life was tragically taken at just 31. His life was not spent in vain! Let us honor his legacy by inspiring a new generation of passionate defenders of the Christian faith to take up his fallen torch Together, we can ensure his spirit lives on in our hearts and actions!
Doctor Robert Bryant