Our hero of faith is Abel.
By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. Hebrews 11:4.
Our word of the day is Intent.
The definition of intent is resolved or determined to do (something) or (especially of a look) showing earnest and eager attention.
Intent is in the Bible thirteen times.
Scripture
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12.
Thoughts
Abel is the second child of Adam and Eve. Once Adam and Eve sinned they had to leave the garden of Eve. As Adam and Eve left the garden of Eden, their dreams changed, once they walked in the cool of the evening with God, now they walked in the elements of the harsh winds.
Eve has two sons and is delighted as we read in Genesis 4,
And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.
And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. Genesis 4: 1-2.
However, we read of discord in the following verses, Cain brings an offering to the Lord and so does Abel. The Lord accepts Abel’s offering. Cain’s offering is lacking.
Cain is selfish, Abel is selfless.
Cain offers less than perfection, Abel offers perfection.
Cain does not repent, Abel does what is right in the eyes of the Lord.
Perhaps Abel’s weakness is trusting his brother. He follows him and Cain kills him. Beloved, we see the first murder and Abel is the first martyr.
Abel’s victories are that he followed the Lord and loved the Lord because he offered him a savory sacrifice, such that Abel found favor in the eyes of God.
[Tweet “Abel does what is right in the eyes of the Lord. #Abelistheman #write28days”]
The challenges he faced the jealousy of his brother, and he was the first shepherd so the challenges of raising animals in desert conditions.
Abel points to Christ, his blood was spilled and he did nothing wrong, much like Jesus. Abel’s blood cried out for justice and retribution as we read in Genesis 4:10, Jesus blood shed on the cross pays for the sin of Cain, offers us forgiveness and reconciliation as we read in Colossians 1:20.
Abel is mentioned in the New Testament by Jesus in Luke 11 and is our Bible hero in Hebrews 11.
Lessons Learned
Abel did what was right in the sight of God and he gave his best to the Lord. Perhaps his life verse could be Deuteronomy 26:2.
“That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose to place his name there.”
Beloved, he gave of his best to the Lord. Genesis 4: 4 says, ‘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:
Do you have the respect of the Lord with your offerings?
Conclusion
Abel is in the hall of faith, he is our hero because he gave of his best. Such that Jesus spoke of him.
Father God, thank You for the example of Abel. Thank You that good did come from his death. Thank You that You honor when we give our best.
What do you want to remember from Abel?
How are your offerings?
How do you give your best to the Lord?
What is your intent to do with this Bible Hero?
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