HOW DID SINFUL HUMANS IN BIBLE TIMES GAIN JEHOVAH'S FAVOR?

 Through the centuries that followed, Jehovah gradually made it clearer and clearer how sinful humans could draw closer to him. Abel, the second son of Adam and Eve, was the first human to put faith in Jehovah after the tragedy in Eden. Because Abel loved Jehovah and sought to please Him and draw close to Him, he offered up a sacrifice. Abel was a shepherd, so he took some of his young lambs and slaughtered them, offering up to Jehovah.  How did Jehovah respond? He "looked with favor on Abel and on his offering." (Genesis 4:4) Jehovah expressed approval of similar sacrifices offered up by people who loved him and trusted in him-such as Noah. (Genesis 8:20, 21) By accepting such sacrifices, Jehovah showed that sinful humans could gain his favor and draw close to him. 

Jehovah asked Abraham, a remarkable man of faith, to do something extremely difficult-to offer up his son Isaac as a sacrifice. Abraham surely found this to be the most painful task imaginable. Nonetheless, he prepared to follow through with it. But God stopped him at the last moment. Still, that example teaches all people of faith vital truth-Jehovah would be willing to offer his own beloved Son as a sacrifice. Jehovah loves humans that much.

Centuries later, the Law given to the nation of Israel called for many sacrifices to atone for the sins of God's people. (Read Leviticus 4:27-29; 17:11.) Such sacrifices pointed to a greater sacrifice, one that would completely save mankind from sin.  God's prophets were inspired to explain that the promised offspring, who turned to be a special Son of God, would have to suffer and be put to death. He would be slaughtered like a sacrificial sheep. (Isaiah 53:1-12) Imagine: Jehovah would arrange for His own beloved Son to be sacrificed in order to save mankind-including you-from sin and death!

Next time:  HOW DID JESUS COME TO THE RESCUE?

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