These brothers were tested, as Adam had been tested before them, to prove whether they would believe and obey the word of God. They were acquainted with the provision made for the salvation of man, and understood the system of offerings which God had ordained. They knew that in these offerings they were to express faith in the Saviour whom the offerings typified, and at the same time to acknowledge their total dependence on Him for pardon; and they knew that by thus conforming to the divine plan for their redemption, they were giving proof of their obedience to the will of God. Without the shedding of blood there could be no remission of sin; and they were to show their faith in the blood of Christ as the promised atonement by offering the firstlings of the flock in sacrifice. Besides this, the first fruits of the earth were to be presented before the Lord as a thank offering.

Disse brødre blev stillet på prøve ligesom Adam for at bevise, om de ville tro og adlyde Guds ord. De var bekendt med den bestemmelse, der var truffet med hensyn til menneskets frelse, og de forstod det offersystem, som Gud havde indstiftet. De vidste, at de i disse ofringer skulle give udtryk for deres tro på Frelseren, som ofringerne var et forbillede på, og samtidig anerkende deres fuldstændige afhængighed af hans tilgivelse. De vidste også, at de ved at følge Guds plan for deres frelse beviste deres lydighed over for Guds vilje. Uden blodsudgydelse kunne der ikke opnås syndsforladelse, og de skulle vise deres tro på Kristi blod som den lovede soning ved at bringe de førstefødte af deres hjorde som et offer. Foruden dette skulle jordens førstegrøde frembæres for Herren som et takoffer.