Genesis 4:2-5 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

Respect and acceptance is the issue here. God did not demand a sacrifice of Cain and Abel. It is not clear why Cain and Abel thought it was necessary. We can second guess motive until we exhaust every aspect and we will still not know the truth. I will not offer up a suggestion.

What is known is that the actions of Abel were respected. Why respect was shown might very well be in the issue of emulation. God provided a sacrifice of blood, Abel provided a sacrifice of blood. Respect to Abel’s sacrifice is telling us that emulation of God’s actions is respected.

Romans 11:14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

Emulation unto salvation is at the heart of God’s respect of Abel’s sacrifice because it pointed at the good shepherd, Jesus Christ, the lamb, Jesus Christ, and the spilt blood of Jesus Christ. The issues of emulation are at the forefront of service in Christ Jesus.

John 5:19, 8:38 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.

Emulate.