Daily Devotional Details

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By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. Hebrews 11:4

What does it look like to walk, stand, and live by faith? Hebrews highlights several distinct aspects of faith, beginning with Abel.

Both Cain and Abel brought offerings to God. “Cain brought…an offering of the fruit of the ground” (Gen. 4:3). “Abel…brought of the firstborn of his flock” (Gen. 4:4). Both of these brothers believed in God, came to worship God, and offered something to God.

But, to our surprise, only one of the brothers is accepted by God: “The LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard” (Gen. 4:4-5). We don’t know for sure how they knew that Cain’s offering was not accepted, but there is a tradition that fire came down from heaven and burned up Abel’s sacrifice.

This was one way God showed His acceptance of a sacrifice. In Leviticus, “fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering… and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces” (9:24).

If this was the case here, you can imagine this family arriving at the altar. Adam says, “Boys, this place is special. The altar is where God Himself comes near. Abel, you go first. Place your gift on the altar, offer your prayer, confess your sins, and then stand back.”

Abel follows his father’s instruction. Then, suddenly, fire falls from the sky like lightning and burns up the offering. Abel watches wide-eyed. God has accepted his sacrifice.

Then Cain does the same, and he steps back, but nothing happens. An hour later, Cain’s sacrifice remains as it was, a gift offered, but evidently not received. We are told that “Cain was very angry, and his face fell” (Gen. 4:5). What was so special about Abel and his offering? The more Cain thought about it, the more angry he became.

Have you ever made a sacrifice to God? If so, what?