Date: July 25, 2012 12:49 AM
Topic: +DEV+ Jesus: Foreshadowed By Abel
Jesus: Foreshadowed By Abel
"But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering." (Genesis 4:4)
Scripture Focus: Genesis 4
The first couple had great hopes for their firstborn, Cain, because of the promise of God in Genesis 3:15 that a son - born of a woman - would be the Redeemer and crush Satan's head. Little did they imagine that their firstborn would be a murderer and not a deliverer. It was his younger brother who foreshadowed the future Redeemer, Jesus.
First, Abel was a shepherd, just as our Lord was "that great Shepherd of the sheep" (Hebrews 13:20). Second, Abel was a righteous man. Third, he was murdered by his brother, just as Jesus was murdered by His brothers - the Jewish leaders. Finally, Abel brought to God a pleasing and acceptable sacrifice. Hebrews 11:4 says, "By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings..." What was wrong with Cain's offering? Weren't grain offerings prescribed later in Leviticus 2:1? But they weren't what God had prescribed to Cain. A bloody sacrifice, brought in faith, is what was required.
Insight: Cain And Abel Teach Us That Sin Is Powerful, Lurking In Everyone. Only God, Approached By Faith Alone In Christ's Blood, Can Deal With It.
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