I ran across this today and thought to share it peggy
Gen 4:4 and Abel, he hath brought, he also, from the female firstlings of his flock, even from their fat ones; and Jehovah looketh unto Abel and unto his present,
Isa 53:7 He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, but He did not open His mouth. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter; and as a ewe before her shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth.
what i see is Abels' offering was of the submissive nature or of the female nature and i've often thought that Jesus complete submission to the Father on this earth was this female action. peggy
Hi Peggy,
I believe your observation on the "female firstlings" does represent a female work or sacrifice but not representing Christ but the Bride of Christ, of those who follow the Lamb "whithsoever He goest." Rev 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men,
being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
Remember Paul's admonishment to any who would be a follower of Christ?Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
We have examples of certain sacrifices which require a male and others a female (others can be either/or), there are too many to list but here are a couple that very specific; Lev 1:3 If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD.
Lev 1:10 And if his offering be of the flocks, namely, of the sheep, or of the goats, for a burnt sacrifice; he shall bring it a male without blemish.
Here is an interesting verse that might help us in understanding the significance of some of the different sacrifice requirements and their symbolic meaning;Oba 1:21 And
saviors shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD's.
Who might these "saviors" be? Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and
the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
As Ray points out numerous times the elect, the chosen, the bride (one and the same) have a part in the salvation of all the rest of humanity!
Peace,
Joe