"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," GEN 4:4.

As a shepherd, Abel sanctified his work to the glory of God, and offered a sacrifice upon an altar, and the Lord had respect unto Abel and his offering. The Lord was not pleased with Cain's offering of the fruit of the ground, but Able "...brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering."

Wherein do we find the significance of the difference between these two offerings? The offering of Cain signified the work of His own hands, but Abel's offering signified the finished work of Christ. JOH 1:29 says, "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."

Abel's offering was an early type of our Lord's sacrifice, which is exceedingly clear and distinct. Like the first streak of light which tinges the east at sunrise, it does not reveal everything, but it clearly manifests the great fact that the sun is coming.

As we see Abel, a shepherd and yet a priest, offering a sacrifice of sweet smell unto God, we discern our Lord, who brings before His Father a sacrifice to which Jehovah ever hath respect.

Abel was hated by his brother-hated without a cause; and even so was the Saviour. Cain, a type of the natural and carnal man hated the accepted Able in whom the Spirit of grace was found, and rested not until his blood had been shed.

1JO 3:11-12 says, "For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous."

Abel fell, the Lord asked Cain, "What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground," GEN 4:10. The blood of Able points our attention unto our Lord and Saviour, the Lord Jesus. Abel was slain by the enmity of man while serving as a priest before the Lord. Our Saviour said in JOH 10:15 "...I lay down my life for the sheep."

Let us each examine our own hearts as we view Him slain by the hatred of mankind, staining the horns of His altar with His own blood. Abel's blood speaks. "The Lord said unto Cain, "The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto Me from the ground." The blood of Jesus hath a mighty tongue, and the import of its prevailing cry is not vengeance but mercy.

It is precious beyond all preciousness to stand at the altar of our good Shepherd! To see Him bleeding there as "the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world." As our heavenly High Priest He offered Himself without spot to appease His Father's wrath upon our sin.

Now we can hear His blood speaking peace to all His flock, peace in our conscience, peace between Jew and Gentile, peace between man and his offended Maker, peace all down the ages of eternity for blood-washed men.

Abel is the first shepherd in order of time, but our hearts shall ever place Jesus first in order of excellence. Thou great Keeper of the sheep, we the people of Thy pasture bless Thee with our whole hearts when we see Thee slain for us. Amen.