Genesis 4:4 – Bible Commentary
And Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and for his offering;
This sure sounds like an animal offering, which is against God’s heavenly will and the way it was in Eden. Then where did this idea of an offering or sacrifice come from? This is the type of question for which we have no answers.
But think about when did humans begin to sacrifice animals? In this article I hope to show that the first reference to animal sacrifice in Scripture is that of Noah after the ways of man had become corrupted (Genesis 8:20-21).
Let’s think about something else. Genesis nowhere says that Noah invented animal sacrifice. Yet since the time before the flood (antediluvian period) is describe as one of great violence, bloody rites of various sorts would be the natural product of such an evil age. Because the violence of the world was so great the great flood was sent.
Never the less, we need to consider that perhaps Abel had true faith in God, and was only keeping flocks to protect them. Could it be that the fat portion was butter fat from the animals’ milk, and none of the animals were killed?
Just more questions and no real answers, only speculations.
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