Unseen by human eye, Abel fell—the anger of Cain had spent itself upon its victim—the earth was stained with human gore, and the only tongue, as Cain doubtless thought, that could have witnessed against him was motionless beside him. Death, which entered the world by sin, now received its first victim. Did Abel supplicate for his life? That probably will never be known on this side the grave. No human ear overheard what passed between the brothers, and now the awe-inspiring stillness of death was undisturbed by Abel’s voice. Evidently Cain thought his work was a success, for when God asked him, “Where is Abel thy brother?” he boldy denied all knowledge of what had but recently taken place. But the second question must have instantly dispelled all hopes of security and immunity from punishment. “What hast thou done?” proved that God knew of the deed, and the announcement, “The voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground,” told of a witness against him of which he had never dreamed.
That blood which he had shed had a voice which God heard, and He interpreted it to Cain. All was open to God, and to His ear it had spoken. Abel had not accused his brother, nor cried to God for vengeance; but his blood, poured out on the earth, spoke in terms which the Creator could understand. One made in the image of God, though in Adam’s likeness, had fallen to the ground, the victim of jealousy and hatred; and whilst to Cain all seemed quiet, God heard what he did not, and took immediate steps in respect to it. He passed sentence on the murderer without interposing any delay; and that sentence, applying as it did to Cain’s existence on earth, held out no hope of its remission, nor even of relaxation of its penalties; for God acted not according to what Cain thought or felt about the matter, but according to what that blood was in His sight; as He heard the voice of his brother’s blood, when to Cain’s dull ear everlasting stillness had settled down on the scene. The justice of God’s action no right-minded person could or would question. Cain had sinned and he must suffer for it.
The blood cried to God, the blood of a righteous man. Of Abel’s righteousness there could be no doubt. God’s acceptance of his sacrifice attested it, and the Lord Jesus afterward affirmed it. (Heb. 11:44By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. (Hebrews 11:4); Matt. 23:2525Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. (Matthew 23:25).) Could not that blood then avail before God on Cain’s behalf? No. Abel was righteous, yet he needed a sacrifice for himself, as his offering shadowed out, therefore he never could atone by his merits for his brother’s sin, nor could they be placed to Cain’s account. “None can by any means redeem his brother, nor give unto God a ransom fur him” (Psalm 49:77None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (Psalm 49:7)), the Psalmist declares; yet, if any saint could have helped by his merits a sinner on earth, here we should say was the opportunity for it. It was the first sin committed against a fellow creature, and God, not man merely, acknowledged the one who died was righteous. But all Abel’s righteousness availed not for Cain. God acted not according to Abel’s merits, but according to what that blood spoke of. So inviolable was the sentence, and immediate was the judgment. He knew all along what Cain would do; but till the blood of Abel was shed, the ground was not laid on which He could act. When however Cain showed what he was, and the blood had cried to God, action forthwith took place, for God responded to that voice. A fugitive and a vagabond was Cain to be on the earth, and the ground which he bad cultivated with such success should henceforth refuse to reward his toil. Daily then and hourly would he be reminded of the condition into which he had been brought when that blood had been shed, a condition which never would alter, for it was based on what had taken place.
Thank God we read of the blood of another which speaks likewise. In this the two have a resemblance; but, speaking better things than that of Abel, tells us of a difference. It is called the blood of sprinkling, a term winch the Hebrews would understand. Their forefathers had been sprinkled with blood in company with the book of the covenant, a token that they accepted the responsibility of the terms of the covenant, and would submit to the penalty if they broke them. The blood of sprinkling speaks, we read. It has a voice, which, like that of Abel, God has interpreted, and a voice to which all do well to give heed, for it speaks of better things than his did. Pardon, peace, redemption, a standing before God in the holiest—these are some of the better things of which it bears witness. “This is my blood of the new testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins,” the Lord said to His disciples the night before He suffered. From His lips they heard something about His blood. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins,” is the statement of the apostle Paul concerning himself and others when writing under the guidance and by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. “By him to reconcile all things unto himself, having made peace by the blood of his cross,” we read of in Colossians; and “boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,” we are told of in the Hebrews. Matt. 26:2828For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Matthew 26:28); Eph. 1:77In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7); Col. 1:2020And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (Colossians 1:20); Heb. 10:1919Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (Hebrews 10:19).
Abel’s blood spoke, and judgment ensued. The blood of sprinkling speaks (for its voice is never silent), not of man’s deserts, but of God’s favor; for whilst witnessing of man’s guilt, who acted after that spirit of Cain, we learn from God Himself that it avails to put away sin. The contrast between the blood of these two is great. Thank God it is so, but the principle of action on His part we learn is similar. He delayed not to speak and act when Abel’s blood cried. He acts now in accordance with what the blood of His Son declares. Abel’s blood cried to God: the blood of sprinkling has a voice to God, and speaks to us. That cried for vengeance; this tells of God’s judgment against sin having been undergone, so that He can now righteously act in grace. Irremediable was Cain’s condition after God passed sentence upon him; irrevocable are the blessings of all who believe on His Son. Immediate too were the results for Cain; not less so are they for those redeemed by the blood of Christ; for that which is based on bloodshed can take effect at once, and will never, never alter.
Perishing souls, be wise!
Look to the blood-stain’d cross!
Dare you that cross despise?
Dare you, at last, be lost?
Jesus, the Just, has died,
Died for the sinner’s sin!
Justice is satisfied!
Hasten and enter in!
Hasten, ere mercy’s door
Close on your aching view!
Ere the last chance be o’er—
Sinner! there’s room for you!