{"id":4000,"date":"2025-05-24T18:56:41","date_gmt":"2025-05-24T18:56:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/allthecounselofgod.com\/?p=4000"},"modified":"2025-05-24T18:57:03","modified_gmt":"2025-05-24T18:57:03","slug":"lessons-from-bible-lives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/allthecounselofgod.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/24\/lessons-from-bible-lives\/","title":{"rendered":"LESSONS FROM BIBLE LIVES"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ABEL \u2013 THE FIRST MAN TO DIE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In these series of lessons we will be taking an in-depth look at some well known Bible characters, finding out what made them \u201ctick,\u201d and, even more importantly, learning some vital Bible principles. Many of these will be positive, but there will also be some powerful warnings of the consequences of disobeying God\u2019s Word. Every lesson will provide an opportunity to apply practical truth to our daily lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scriptures: Gen 4:1-10, 25; Matt 23:35; Heb 11:4, 12:24<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cABEL\u201d means \u201cbreath\u201d or \u201cvapor\u201d. His name, no doubt, is associated with the shortness of his life. (See Psalms 90:6; James 4:14)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. ABEL & CAIN<\/strong>\u2013 Abel was a shepherd and owned flocks and herds \u2013 Cain was a tiller of the ground (farmer). It was not occupation, though, which parted these first two brothers in the world; rather, it was their understanding of God\u2019s program of salvation. The principle of redemption by blood was made clear to Adam and Eve in the garden when God made them coats of animal skins, and it is safe to conclude from the Genesis record that Cain and Abel had been taught about this. They both knew that God required an offering, but the response of Abel was quite different from that of Cain. Abel feared God, and because he did, he offered to God the best of his flock (4:4). He slew the animal and thereby made a sacrifice of blood. Two significant conclusions can be drawn from Abel\u2019s action: 1) he understood God\u2019s requirement of shedding of innocent blood for the forgiveness of sin (Heb 9:22), and, 2) this action represented the personal surrender of Abel\u2019s heart to God. By contrast, Cain brought what he had grown and gathered from the earth. Therefore, his offering represented his own effort, which was totally unacceptable to God. Thus we learn right at the beginning of the Bible that there are only two basic plans for Approaching God: 1. the shedding of blood for the remission of sin (the innocent takes the place of the guilty) 2. the bloodless way \u2013 that is, the religions of works, all of which are built to some degree on man\u2019s presumed potential for goodness. The first is 100% successful\u2013John 6:37. The second is a total, 100% failure\u2013Isa 64:6; Titus 3:5; etc. How foolish of man to think any effort of his own could ever satisfy an infinitely holy God, yet multitudes today are still following the \u201cway of Cain\u201d (Jude 1 la). Because God accepted Abel\u2019s offering and rejected Cain\u2019s, the angry brother killed Abel in the field. Isn\u2019t it strange that down through the ages false religion has so often resorted to murder, torture and persecution of true believers in an effort to bolster its own position?? Millions of Abels have been tortured and killed by Cains, but have you ever heard of a Cain being put to death by an Abel?! (Consider Matt 5:43-48)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    ABEL IS UNIQUE AMONG BIBLE MEN:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n