to him a most painful ceremony. His hand must be raised
to take life, which God alone could give, and make an offering for sin. It
was the first time he had witnessed death. As he looked upon the bleeding
victim, writhing in the agonies of death, he was to look forward by faith
to the Son of God, whom the victim prefigured, who was to die man’s
sacrifice.
This ceremonial offering, ordained of God, was to be a perpetual
reminder to Adam of his guilt, and also a penitential acknowledgment of
his sin. This act of taking life gave Adam a deeper and more perfect sense
of his transgression, which nothing less than the death of God’s dear Son
could expiate. He marveled at the infinite goodness and matchless love
which would give such a ransom to save the guilty. As Adam was slaying
the innocent victim, it seemed to him that he was shedding the blood of the
Son of God by his own hand. He knew that if he had remained steadfast to
God, and true to His holy law, there would have been no death of beast nor
of man. Yet in the sacrificial offerings, pointing to the great and perfect
offering of God’s dear Son, there appeared a star of hope to illuminate the
dark and terrible future, and relieve it of its utter hopelessness and ruin.
In the beginning the head of each family was considered ruler and
priest of his own household. Afterward, as the race multiplied upon
the earth, men of divine appointment performed this solemn worship of
sacrifice for the people. The blood of beasts was
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to be associated in the minds of sinners with the blood of the Son of
God. The death of the victim was to evidence to all that the penalty of
sin was death. By the act of sacrifice the sinner acknowledged his guilt
and manifested his faith, looking forward to the great and perfect sacrifice
of the Son of God, which the offering of beasts prefigured. Without the
atonement of the Son of God there could be no communication of blessing
or salvation from God to man. God was jealous for the honor of His law.
The transgression of that law caused a fearful separation between God and
man. To Adam in his innocency was granted communion, direct, free, and
happy, with his Maker. After his transgression God would communicate
to man through Christ and angels.
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6: Cain and Abel and Their Offerings
This chapter is based on Genesis 4:1-15.
Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam, were very unlike in character. Abel
feared God. Cain cherished rebellious feelings and murmured against God
because of the curse pronounced upon Adam and because the ground was
cursed for his sin. These brothers had been instructed in regard to the
provision made for the salvation of the human race. They were required to
carry out a system of humble obedience, showing their reverence for God
and their faith and dependence upon the promised Redeemer, by slaying
the firstlings of the flock and solemnly presenting them with the blood
as a burnt offering to God. This sacrifice would lead them to continually
keep in mind their sin and the Redeemer to come, who was to be the great
sacrifice for man.
Cain brought his offering unto the Lord with murmuring and infidelity
in his heart in regard to the promised Sacrifice. He was unwilling to
strictly follow the plan of obedience and procure a lamb and offer it with
the fruit of the ground. He merely took of the ground and disregarded the
requirement of God. God had made known to Adam that without shedding
of blood there could be no remission of sin. Cain was not particular to
bring even the best of the fruits. Abel advised his brother not to come
before the Lord
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without the blood of sacrifice. Cain, being the eldest, would not listen
to his brother. He despised his counsel, and with doubt and murmuring
in regard to the necessity of the ceremonial offerings, he presented his
offering. But God did not accept it.
Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat, as God had
commanded; and in full faith of the Messiah to come, and with humble
reverence, he presented the offering. God had respect unto his offering.
A light flashes from heaven and consumes the offering of Abel. Cain sees
no manifestation that his is accepted. He is angry with the Lord and with
his brother. God condescends to send an angel to Cain to converse with
him.
The angel inquires of him the reason of his anger, and informs him that
if he does well and follows the directions God has given, He will accept
him and respect his offering. But if he will not humbly submit to God’s
arrangements, and believe and obey Him, He cannot accept his offering.
The angel tells Cain that it was no injustice on the part of God, or partiality
shown to Abel, but that it was on account of his own sin and disobedience
of God’s express command that He could not respect his offering—and if
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he would do well he would be accepted of God, and his brother should
listen to him, and he should take the lead, because he was the eldest.
But even after being thus faithfully instructed, Cain did not repent.
Instead of censuring and abhorring himself for his unbelief, he still
complains of the injustice and partiality of God. And in his jealousy and
hatred he contends with Abel
