The Witness of Abel

3In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 4And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

6Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

8Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.”^d While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

9Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”

“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

10The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. (Genesis 4)

Thoughts: Perhaps in some ways Abel was the first martyr and the first witness for God.  The word in Greek for witness and the word in Greek for martyr are the same word.  Tertullian once said that "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church."  That is wherever people stand up for their faith to death they inspire and witness to God and the cross and hope of Christ.  Abel's offering of faith was accepted, but Cain was jealous.  After Abel was killed, God said that his blood called out to Him from the ground.   The blood of the martyrs calls out to God to do something about injustice and to continue the faith.  Those who want to witness for Christ- to be missionaries for Him- must be willing to come and die.  Abel is a great example of witness for all of us. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for all those who have witnessed unto death.  When I am given an opportunity to pass the faith on- help me to witness for you.