In a recent post I wrote about Daniel as a foreshadowing or type of Christ. This led me to think about other Old Testament figures who are types of Christ.

One of these is Abel:

• Abel was a shepherd.  (Genesis 4:2). Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd.  (John 10:11)
• Abel presented an offering unto God.  (Genesis 4:4). Jesus Christ presented himself as an offering to God.  (John 10:11)
• The offering which Abel presented was ‘the firstlings of his flock’, a ‘lamb.’  (Genesis 4:4)
• Heavenly Father accepted the offering of Abel.  (Hebrews 11:4) Heavenly Father accepted Jesus’ offering: the proof being that He is now ‘seated at the right hand of God.’ (Hebrews 10:12)
• Though giving no cause for it, Abel was hated by his brother.  (Genesis 4:8). Though giving no cause for it, Jesus was hated by His brethren the Jews. (John 15:25)
• Satan and Cain conspired in Abel’s premeditated murder, and Abel was delivered by Satan into the hands of a wicked man (see Moses 5:29). Jesus was delivered by Satan into the hands of wicked men (see Luke 9:44) and was crucified as a result of a conspiracy.
• Just as Abel’s death resulted in the shedding of his innocent blood, so too Christ’s sacrifice and death were accomplished by the shedding of His innocent blood.