⁴ By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.

First on the list of God’s Hall of Faith is none other than Abel. Despite the paucity of mentions in Scripture (referenced only elsewhere in Matt 23:35 and paralleled in Luke 11:51), he occupies a foundational position, being the very first human being to exercise faith in God. We only know of his faith from this commentary in Hebrews.

What we know of Abel from the story in Genesis 4 is that he was a keeper of flocks, and that he brought as a sacrifice the “firstlings of his flock.” Cain “brought an offering,” the absence of being described as the “firstlings” creates an obvious contrast. Each gave of what they had. Nothing is mentioned about an animal sacrifice being better than a plant-based sacrifice, as is often popularly asserted by preachers today. We do know from later biblical history that God found plant-based (grain) offerings acceptable. To say Abel’s sacrifice was superior to Cain’s because a slain animal and the resultant blood shed was a type of Christ’ ultimate death and shed blood, reads too much into the text. While it may provide a hint of what was coming in the future, the Scripture focuses on something entirely different.

The difference between Abel’s and Cain’s sacrifice is that Abel offered his in faith, whereas Cain did not—the latter is very conspicuously left out of the commendation for faith. Cain’s response of anger in Genesis (4:5) reveals he felt entitled to God’s favor, that God owed it to him to accept his offering. God’s indicting was clear, “If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted?” Clearly, Cain knew he did not “do well.”

So Abel “obtained a testimony that he was righteous,” and this came from God. The Lord saw his sacrifice as “gifts,” that which is freely given with no expectation in return. It wasn’t a sacrifice for sin (see Heb 5:1), at least no mention is made of such. His offering was a gift which reflected a heart that is right with God. And that message still echoes down through the ages to the present. God desires His image-bearers to reflect His generous, giving spirit.

This testimony of faith sets the stage for all illustrations of faith to come, a long line of people who dared to believe that God was good and deserving of our gifts. People who dared to live a life of gratitude and generosity. That is a testimony of faith.

Lord, thank You for all the gifts You have given me. As a testimony of my gratitude, I return some of it as my gift back to You-because I believe in You.