What can we learn from Abel’s sacrifice?

Abel's sacrifice holds profound significance for understanding how we are to approach God. In Genesis 4:4, Abel offers the 'firstlings of his flock' showing his recognition of the holiness required to stand before God. This act of faith, as noted in Hebrews 11:4, reflects an understanding that God accepts only what is brought forth in trust and reverence. The reliance on a sacrificial lamb prefigures Christ, affirming the need for atonement, which can only come through a substitutionary sacrifice. Thus, Abel's example points us to the heart of the gospel, encouraging believers to approach God not through their efforts but through faith in God's provision for sin.