Living FaithfullyMuestra

Faith that Worships  

The author of Hebrews now begins his roll call of the faithful, showing how various saints of the past walked the journey toward the sabbath rest he has set before his Christian readers. Our author has mentioned the conquest of Canaan as a kind of preliminary arrival of the sabbath rest, but not the fullness of it (Heb. 3–4). In terms of the conquest of Canaan, he sees the patriarchs of Genesis and the people of the Exodus as on the journey to Canaan. Thus, his roll call of the faithful deals explicitly with those who were on this journey in Genesis and Exodus (Heb. 11:5–31). After we arrive in Canaan, he simply summarizes the rest of the Old Testament, as if to say that all of these people were on the journey toward the greater Canaan (Heb. 11:32–40). 

He begins with Abel. Genesis 4 tells us that in the course of time, Cain offered to God some of the fruits of his labor, which were vegetables. Abel also offered some of the fruits of his labor: fat portions from the firstborn of his flock. God respected Abel and his offering, but rejected Cain and his. 

There are several contrasts between Cain’s and Abel’s offerings. First, Cain brought a gift, but Abel brought a gift from the best he possessed: the fat portions of the firstborn. Second, Abel’s offering was a blood sacrifice, which showed he was confessing his sinfulness. Cain’s offering was simply a gift, perhaps showing that he was unwilling to humble himself and buy a lamb from Abel. Third and most important, Abel’s action showed his rejection of self-righteousness and his trust in God, while Cain’s action showed that he was trying to bribe God. 

Abel’s true faith prompted him to bring a proper sacrifice; Cain’s false faith led him to offer an inadequate one. Abel’s faith issued in true worship and good works, while Cain’s false faith issued in apostate worship and the murder of his brother Abel. 

The message to the Jewish Christians was clear. They were like Abel, and those persecuting them were like Cain. They might have to suffer and die like Abel. If so, they would receive the testimony that God approved of them. And even after death, their lives, like Abel’s, would speak a message to those who came after them.

Coram Deo

Often the greatest persecution of believers comes not from outsiders but from other people in the church. What we often receive from the sons and daughters of Cain is not murder of the sword but murder of the tongue: gossip and lies. Remember this when you hear wild tales about other churches and their pastors.