46 - Hebrews 11:4: The Faith of Abel

Hebrews 11:4

“Prompted by faith, Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain. God approved of his offering and attested to his righteousness. Through his example, he is still speaking to us today.”    (paraphrased)                  

Whereas the first three verses of this chapter introduce the concept of faith, the remainder is a brief chronology of men and women whose lives best illustrate it. The writer seeks to show salvation is based upon faith. In the antediluvian (pre-flood) era, the first person to demonstrate faith amid the growing evil in the world is the second son of Adam. The name Abel means “breath” or “vapor” and is indicative of the shortness of his life. James describes one’s life as “a vapor” (Jas. 4:14). Able is presented in Scripture as a young man who was humble, sincere, and honorable. He was the first man to die, the first to be murdered, and the first to be martyred. His was the first case of fratricide. Abel was the first man on earth we find serving God. He was killed for his faith, but died as a man approved by God. The story provides us with the first two instances of sacrifice, contrasting the motives behind each.

Primitive Sacrifices
Adam and Eve sinned, but God did not cut off communication with the human race. Through sacrifice, He established the way for the human race to approach Him. Sacrifice assumes two things: the voluntary surrender of everything to God and the acknowledgment that no one can reach Him unless sin is atoned for. But Abel and Cain did conform to a divine command, for the concept of redemption would not be introduced until Moses day. They had no sacrificial tradition to follow. These first sacrifices graphically demonstrate the human compulsion to bless God through giving. 

Cain was a farmer and his younger brother was a herdsman. The difference between them lay not in age or in occupation, but in character. Sacrificing is costly, but the real value of a sacrifice can only be determined by the integrity of the one who gives it. God looks past the gift and straight into the heart. We are accepted, not by what we do, but by who we are. If we have a grudge against a brother, Jesus commands us to leave our gift at the altar. After reconciliation, we are then free to come and offer our gifts (Mt. 5:23-24). Offerings are only acceptable when faith is evidenced. Abel offered a better sacrifice than Cain. “More excellent” (pleiona) means a more abundant, more acceptable, and more complete sacrifice. Abel’s offering was more valuable, more appropriate, and more carefully selected. The mention of “the fat” of the Abel’s lamb proves the lamb had been slain. He did not retain the best part of the animal for himself, but offered it to God. It was superior because superior faith prompted it.

Scripture is silent concerning the motives behind the offerings of Abel and Cain. Any attempt to explain why takes us back to the story of their parents. Adam and Eve’s attempt to make clothing for themselves proved insufficient (Gen. 3:7). God then provided coverings of animal skins for them (3:21). To obtain these, blood was necessarily shed. God thus introduced the law of substitutionary sacrifice. The precedent was thereby established that the death of animals was divinely sanctioned in order to cover the shame of sin, symbolized by nakedness. Although the concept was embryonic, it is possible Abel’s motivation to shed blood as a covering for sin sprang from God’s interaction with his parents in this regard. In slaying his lamb, perhaps he was expressing thankfulness to God for providing animal skin as a covering for sin and shame. Abel’s lamb was sacrificed in gratitude, as were Noah’s burnt offerings after the flood (Gen.8:20). While it is rational to kill an animal in self defense, there is no logical reason to slay an animal as a sacrifice. The desire to do so in the antediluvian era is only explained by man’s inherent knowledge that the innocent must suffer for the guilty. The mention of these voluntary gifts fits perfectly into this epistle that focuses upon the necessity of blood sacrifices.

Some propose fire came down from heaven and consumed Abel’s sacrifice, affirming its acceptance by God. Fire came from heaven to consumed offerings on several occasions. God did so with the sacrifices of Moses (Lev. 9:24), Elijah (I Kgs. 18:38), Gideon (Jud. 6:21), Manoah (Jud. 13:20), David (I Chron. 21:26) and Solomon (II Chron. 7:1). But there is no proof this was the case with Abel’s sacrifice. Here Scripture is silent. However, had this occurred, the writer would not have failed to mention it. 

Cain
The writer makes no mention of Cain apart from the brief comparison of the two sacrifices. The primary difference between these brothers is demonstrated by the offerings their faith prompted. Abel’s offering was living sacrifice. Cain’s was lifeless. Very early in human history, God shows worshippers have different motives.

One aspect of Cain’s rejection was failing to give God his best. God had no respect for Cain or his sacrifice (Gen. 4:5). Because He had no regard for Cain personally, he had no respect for what he presented to Him. Cain brought what was cheap and easy. God does not give or withhold His approval without good reason. John tells us the specific reason why Cain killed Abel: his own works were evil and Abel’s were righteous. He then tells us he was influenced by the wicked one and killed his brother (I Jn. 3:12). His sacrifice was an abomination and his perverted theology led to murder.

Cain was not shocked when God spoke to him (Gen. 4:6). This suggests the same verbal familiarity with Jehovah his parents enjoyed (3:9-13). God asked Cain why he was angry and tried to reason with him (4:6-7). God knows our attitudes and moods, and all sin leads to depression. Cain may not have believed his sins warranted a more expensive blood sacrifice. Had Cain truly sought to honor God, he would have repented. God told him if he did right, he too would be accepted. Cain had the opportunity to repent and sacrifice in faith. He was warned that hardheartedness will lead to worse sins (4:7). The story of Cain shows how persistent rebellion also breeds envy.

Scripture provides us with a number of situations in which an older brother was spiritually outclassed by the faith of a younger one. After Esau learned that Jacob had received the blessing, he endeavored to kill him (Gen. 27:41). Joseph’s older brothers knew their father favored Joseph and sold him into slavery (Gen. 37:27). The elder brother learned his father was celebrating the prodigal’s return and became angry (Lk. 15:28).

Had God killed Cain immediately for his sin, this great lesson would have been lost. Cain patronized God and his offering was unacceptable (Gen. 4:3-5). He refused God’s counsel and ignored His warnings concerning the need to master sin (Gen. 4:7). As the eldest, Cain should have been an example to his brother, loving him and keeping him from harm and evil. Instead, he invited Abel to go into the field with him, steeped in jealousy and deception. The direct cause of Abel’s death was his godly life. Cain tried to cover the murder with perjury (Gen. 4:9). Judgment soon follows an unheeded warning, for he was sentenced to hard labor and banished for life (Gen. 4:12).

But Cain was more concerned with his sufferings than his sin. He complained about his sentence, implied God was unfair, and displayed a negative attitude toward correction (Gen. 4:13-14). He was convinced people would kill him for what he did (Gen. 4:14). He expressed fear, knowing he was outside of God’s protection. God put an identifying brand upon Cain. It seems logical this sign was highly visible, perhaps facial. This was both a mark of protection and an act of mercy. God showed he would not allow Cain to be subjected to private revenge, promising a seven-fold punishment on anyone who harmed him (Gen. 4:15). This epic homicide verifies the rapid development and spread of sin since Adam and Eve were banished from Eden.

Abel
Abel’s offering represents the appropriate sacrificial attitude. God looked with pleasure upon his gift and accepted it (Gen. 4:4). He testified he was a righteous man and bore witness to his faith. Through the Biblical narrative, the Lord has continued to honor him for thousands of years. Three times in the New Testament, Abel is deemed “righteous” (dikios), the same Greek word for “justification.” Abel is called dikios in this verse and in Jude 11. He is also declared dikios by Jesus Himself (Mt. 23:35). 

What Abel teaches us is not complicated:

1. We can approach God and worship Him.
2. Offerings, sacrifice and humility must accompany true worship.
3. We are only accepted by Him through our faith.
4. Those God accepts will face envy.
5. God will vindicate those who are wronged.
6. God will bless those who demonstrate faith in Him.

Abel recognized God as his superior and understood sacrifice was the proper way to come before Him. He realized God was willing to accept the death of a substitute for offenses committed and believed He would accept his sacrifice. But what is Abel telling us today? Perhaps he is warning us to beware of the hatred and envy of religious hypocrites, for those who are carnal hate those who are spiritual (Gal. 4:29). Maybe he would caution us to be wary of professing Christians. Abel’s death is prophetic, for the Messiah was destined to be murdered by religionists.

The “way of Cain” is religious hypocrisy (Jude 11). This false doctrine of superficial Christianity is rampant today. Cain stands for those who honor God verbally, but whose hearts are far from Him (Isa. 29:13). Such persons give to God grudgingly and sparingly. They pay token homage to God, recite creeds, and attend church, but in their hearts they hate those who truly serve God. These brothers represent the only two possible categories of Christianity. Cain and Abel stand as representatives of the ecumenical and evangelical churches respectively. On one side are the liberals, typified by Cain. On the other side are the conservatives, typified by Abel. Abel represents those who worship God “in spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:24). These give to God the very best they have, but feel they can always do more. Abel was a type of all who are persecuted by the enemies of God. It cost Abel his life to serve God acceptably. He died for what he believed. 

The life one leads will testify about him long after he is gone. Death silences no one. Abel is famous, while Cain is infamous. In the Genesis account, we find Abel’s blood “crying out to God from the ground” and it is a cry for vengeance (Gen. 4:10). Jesus pledged to vindicate those who cry day and night for justice (Lk. 18:7-8). Abel still speaks to us about faith, from the other side of the flood, through the permanent record of God’s Word.

QUESTIONS: THE FAITH OF ABEL

Hebrews 11:4

1. After Adam and Eve sinned, God cut off communication with the human race. True or False?

2. Abel was the fourth son of Adam. True or False?

3. Whose name means “breath” or “vapor”?

4. Abel was:
A. young
B. humble
C. honorable
D. sincere
E. all of the above

5. According to Matthew 5:23-24, before we can offer a gift to God, we must do what?

6. Scripture conclusively proves fire came down from heaven and consumed Abel’s sacrifice.
True or False?

7. Several younger brothers who suffered because of their older brothers include:
A. Jacob
B. Abel
C. Joseph
D. The Prodigal
E. all of the above

8. Cain:
A. was convinced people would kill him
B. asked God if he could take refuge in Sodom
C. implied God was unfair
D. confessed his sin
E. only A and C

9. God put a mark on Cain so that the first one to see this mark would kill him. True or False?

10. Talk with your spouse about an instance when you gave a special offering to God and how He blessed you for it.