Abel, the second son of Adam and Eve, lived a short but profoundly significant life. He was a keeper of sheep and is best known for offering a sacrifice that was pleasing to God. As it is written:
Genesis 4:4 – “And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering.”
His righteous offering stirred jealousy in his brother Cain, who ultimately murdered him in the field:
Genesis 4:8 – “And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.”
Through Abel’s death, God revealed that blood has a voice:
Genesis 4:10 – “And he said, What hast thou done? The voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.”
Though Abel’s life was cut short, his faith continues to speak:
Hebrews 11:4 – “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.”
Abel appears in the Bible four times:
1. Genesis 4:1-11 – His birth, offering, and murder.
2. Matthew 23:35 – Jesus refers to Abel as righteous.
3. Hebrews 11:4 – His faith and sacrifice are commended.
4. Hebrews 12:24 – His blood is contrasted with the blood of Jesus, which speaks better things.
Though Abel was killed, God in His mercy gave Adam and Eve another son, Seth, through whom the lineage leading to Jesus Christ continued:
Genesis 4:25 – “And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.”
Abel stands as the first recorded martyr of faith, a testimony to the power of righteousness and the significance of true worship before God.
Abel was a keeper of sheep, not for food, but for sacrifice unto the Lord. As it is written:
Genesis 1:29 – “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.”
At that time, man’s diet consisted only of plants. It was not until after the flood that God permitted the eating of flesh:
Genesis 9:3 – “Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.”
Thus, Abel’s keeping of sheep was not for food but for offering sacrifices to God, as seen in:
Genesis 4:4 – “And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering.”
The concept of sacrifice as a means of worship and access to God began with Abel and was later continued by those who followed after him in faith.
Hebrews 11:4 – “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.”
Thank God, He is Able!