Topical Bible: Persecution of Abel

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Introduction

The persecution of Abel is a significant event in the biblical narrative, illustrating the early manifestation of sin and its consequences in human relationships. Abel, the second son of Adam and Eve, is known for his righteousness and faithfulness to God. His account is primarily found in Genesis 4:1-16, where the tragic account of his murder by his brother Cain unfolds. This event is often seen as the first instance of religious persecution, as Abel's faithfulness to God incited Cain's jealousy and wrath.

Biblical Account

In Genesis 4, Abel is introduced as a shepherd, while his brother Cain is a farmer. Both brothers bring offerings to the Lord: Cain offers "some of the fruits of the soil," while Abel brings "the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions" (Genesis 4:3-4). The Lord looks with favor upon Abel and his offering, but He does not regard Cain's offering with the same favor. This divine preference incites Cain's anger and jealousy.

The Lord addresses Cain's anger, warning him of the sin that is "crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it" (Genesis 4:7). Despite this warning, Cain invites Abel to the field, where he attacks and kills him. This act of fratricide marks the first murder in human history and is a direct result of Cain's inability to master his sinful desires.

Theological Significance

The persecution of Abel is emblematic of the conflict between righteousness and sin. Abel's offering is accepted by God because it is given in faith and with a sincere heart, as later affirmed in Hebrews 11:4: "By faith Abel offered a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God gave approval to his gifts." Abel's faith and righteousness stand in stark contrast to Cain's lack of faith and his subsequent actions.

This narrative also highlights the theme of divine justice. After Abel's murder, the Lord confronts Cain, asking, "Where is your brother Abel?" to which Cain responds, "I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?" (Genesis 4:9). The Lord then declares that Abel's blood cries out from the ground, and He pronounces a curse upon Cain, condemning him to a life of restless wandering.

Symbolism and Typology

Abel is often seen as a type of Christ, representing the innocent and righteous sufferer. His blood, shed unjustly, prefigures the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, whose own blood speaks "a better word than the blood of Abel" (Hebrews 12:24). Abel's persecution and death serve as a foreshadowing of the ultimate persecution and crucifixion of Christ, who, like Abel, was rejected by those who were envious of His righteousness.

Lessons and Applications

The account of Abel's persecution serves as a sobering reminder of the destructive power of sin and the importance of mastering it through faith and obedience to God. It underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and the cost of righteousness in a fallen world. Believers are called to emulate Abel's faith and to be prepared for the possibility of persecution for their faithfulness to God.

Furthermore, the narrative encourages believers to trust in God's justice, knowing that He sees and will ultimately vindicate the righteous. Abel's account is a testament to the enduring truth that, though the righteous may suffer in this life, their faithfulness is not forgotten by God.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 4:8
And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
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Matthew 23:35
That on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom you slew between the temple and the altar.
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1 John 3:12
Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And why slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
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Library

Persecution in the First Centuries.
... Thus, as long as persecution continued, the church remained comparatively pure. ...
Therefore they were hated by the wicked, even as Abel was hated by the ungodly ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /2 persecution in the first.htm

Persecution in the First Centuries
... Thus, as long as persecution continued, the church remained comparatively pure. ...
Therefore they were hated by the wicked, even as Abel was hated by the ungodly ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 2 persecution in the.htm

Persecution Every Christian's Lot
... in the wicked one Cain, who, because the Lord had respect to Abel and his ... Lord mentions
being inwardly hated of men, as one kind of Persecution his disciples ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/persecution every christians lot.htm

Concerning Persecution
... of God in their passage to the holy land must meet with fiery serpents and a red
sea of persecution. It is a saying of Ambrose, There is no Abel but has his ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/21 concerning persecution.htm

Demonstration xxi. --Of Persecution.
... Abel was murdered, and his blood cried out from the earth. ... who are in the West, in
the days of Diocletian there came great affliction and persecution to the ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xxi of persecution.htm

Second Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to Brotherly Love.
... they have God's favor and know it to be the occasion of their persecution; they
have no protection and succor but are exposed to the same fate as Abel. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/second sunday after trinity exhortation.htm

That the Catholic Faith May be Confirmed Even by the Dissensions ...
... when no one molests or vexes their body; for they suffer this persecution, not in ...
presence of Christ and His apostles, but even from that of Abel, whom first ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 51 that the catholic faith.htm

Endurance of the World's Censure.
... Cain, for instance, was envious of his brother Abel, and slew him ... is ever so to be:
"All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution:" or, as ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon x endurance of the.htm

Patmos
... The character of the persecution changes with the times, but the principle"the spirit
that ... that has slain the chosen of the Lord ever since the days of Abel. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 56 patmos.htm

The Saint's Heritage and Watchword
... From the day when first Cain with his club struck his brother Abel and laid ... When
persecution has cried, "Havoc, and let slip the dogs of war," blood has flowed ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 50 1904/the saints heritage and watchword.htm