Abel in the Bible/"He, Although He Died, Yet Speaks" - Abel's Sacrifice-Why It Excelled

It was different with Cain, Jehovah "did not look with any favor upon Cain and upon his offering."  (Genesis 4:5)  It was not that Cain's offering was faulty in itself; God Law later allowed the offering of the produce of the ground.  (Leviticus 6:14, 15)  But the Bible says of Cain that "his own works were wicked."  (Read 1 John 3:12)  Like so many to this day, Cain evidently thought that the mere outward show of devotion to God was enough. His lack of real faith  in or love for Jehovah quickly became apparent through his actions.  

When Cain saw that he had not won Jehovah's favor, did he seek to learn from Abel's example? No. He seethed with hatred for his brother. Jehovah saw what was happening in Cain's heart and patiently tried to reason with him. He warned Cain that his course was leading toward serious sin, and He offered the hope of "an exaltation" If Cain would only change his ways. -Genesis 4:6, 7. 

Cain ignored God's warning. He invited his trusting younger brother to walk with him in the field.  There Cain assaulted Abel and murdered him.   (Genesis 4:8)  In a sense, Abel thus became the first victim of religious persecution, the first martyr. He was dead, but his story was far from finished. 

Figuratively, Abel's blood cried out to Jehovah God for vengeance, or justice. And God saw justice done, punishing wicked Cain for his crime.  (Genesis 4:9-12)  More important, the record of Abel's faith speaks to us today. His life span-perhaps  about a century long-was short for humans of that era, but Abel made his years on earth count.  He died knowing that he had the love and approval of his heavenly Father,  Jehovah.  (Hebrews 11:4)  We can be confident, then, that he is safe in Jehovah's limitless memory, awaiting a resurrection to life in an earthly paradise.  (John 5:28, 29) Will you meet him there?  You can if you are determined to listen as Abel speaks and to imitate his outstanding faith.

Next time: Keeping a Firearm for Protection-Would it be fitting for a Christian to keep a firearm, such as a handgun or a rifle, for protection against other humans?

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