It is interesting to know that there is a Jewish tradition about “last words.” Any Jew finding himself in a potentially life threatening situation (for example in a holocaust death camp) was to proclaim the ‘Great Shema’ – “Hear O Israel, the LORD your God is one Lord” (Deut. 6:4). Last words are very significant to Jews – and we believe also to Bible characters. It is our aim in these considerations to explore the significance of such words.
Our last article looked at the last recorded words of Eve (“For God hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel”) – and showed her belief that God would provide a saviour – as He had promised. The reader is reminded that the intent of these articles is to look for exhortation in the words, based on the premise that these last words must have been recorded with some significance and meaning.
As we look at Abel, we note there are no recorded words that he spoke. How can we then include him in a series about famous last words? While the Bible has chosen for Abel to remain silent in the account – yet he speaks volumes, for it is recorded “the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground” (4:10).
We also read in Hebrews that, “By 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.” Abel thus reminds us that actions speak louder than words – and Abel continues to speak to every generation about his faith in God.
Abel offered to God of the “firstlings of his flock,” and therefore shed the blood of an animal to demonstrate he was seeking the forgiveness of his sins. In this he humbly submitted to God’s way, showed an understanding of Godly principles and was a doer of the word.
As a type of the Lord Jesus Christ, Abel was faithful unto death — his blood being shed by his brother (who ironically refused to shed the blood of an animal, but was willing to shed the blood of his own brother!). Abel’s blood cried out to God. As the first martyr, he is typical of all those who would follow his example and who likewise cry with a loud voice, saying, “How long, 0 Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled” (Rev. 6:10-11).
We have not yet “resisted unto blood,” yet we are expected to show forth godly principles in a godless world. This can be accomplished just as powerfully through faithful actions. Like Abel we can leave a legacy of faith and belief – even if our words are never heeded or recorded.
Faithful obedience “even unto death,” is the lesson from Abel’s last words. Chris Sales, Shelburne, Ontario
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One