Last week we talked about the protoevangelium of the Bible, the first gospel, found in Genesis 3:15. That was the first promise of a redemptive plan from God. After He curses Adam and Eve in 3:16-19, we see the evidence of God’s instruction on sacrifice.
Genesis 3:21 says, “The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.”
It’s logical to assume this is where God teaches Adam and Eve about sacrifice since skins indicate a dead animal was involved in the process. We know that the idea of sacrifice came from God because of Genesis 4:3-7:
“In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD look with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
The Bible doesn’t explain how, but it’s clear from these verses that Cain and Abel knew that God expected sacrifices and they also knew the proper way to sacrifice.
Immediately after the original sin, God not only promised redemption but began showing mankind how He would do it.
Today, we’re still called to sacrifice, but in a different manner.
Romans 12:1 says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
As we daily sacrifice our will for God’s, let us remember the true purpose of sacrifice—to help us understand God’s love and God’s plan of salvation.
