Our Journey Darkens – Genesis 4:2-4
Jun 30, 2026 381
Today our journey darkens as Scripture turns to its first murder — yet even in tragedy, a shadow of Christ’s sacrifice begins to appear.
Genesis 4:2-4
When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. 3 When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, 5 but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected. (NLT)
As we move forward in Scripture to Genesis 4, our journey takes a dark turn. Many theologians throughout history have seen Abel as an early foreshadowing of Christ. Abel was a shepherd, a righteous and innocent man, who offered the best of his flock – the firstborn lambs – to God. God was pleased and accepted Abel’s gift.
The sacrificial lamb became a further picture pointing forward to the death of Jesus. Like Christ, Abel suffered at the hands of sinful humanity. But unlike Christ, Abel’s blood called out for justice while Christ’s blood speaks forgiveness: ‘You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel’ (Hebrews 12:24 NLT). Abel’s blood cried out for justice, but the blood of Jesus Christ proclaims mercy, forgiveness and reconciliation for all who come to Him.
Despite the dark days surrounding the first murder recorded in Scripture, the light of the gospel flickers hope into the darkness. One day, God would send his Shepherd and provide His Lamb so that all who call on the name of the Lord will be forgiven and receive eternal life.
The Good News Is…
And the good news is, though our sins are as scarlet, through Jesus we are washed as white as snow.
‘Though your sins are like scarlet,
I will make them as white as snow.
Though they are red like crimson,
I will make them as white as wool.’ (Isaiah 1:18 NLT)
Further reading: Genesis 4, Hebrews 11:4; Matthew 23:35; Hebrews 12:24; Isaiah 1:18
Elenne Ford
Chair, Good News Unlimited