Genesis 4:9. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?”
“Am I my brother’s keeper?”
These infamous words were spoken by Cain following the murder of his brother, Abel. Abel’s offering to God had been accepted, but Cain’s rejected.
Genesis 4:3-5. 3In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5but for Cain and his offering he had no regard.
We can only speculate as to why God had no regard for Cain’s offering. Had God told them to offer a blood sacrifice and Cain offered fruit instead? Did Abel offer the best of his flocks while Can offered second best, fruits and veggies that were just lying around? As the firstborn, was Cain simply spoiled, used to getting everything he wanted (the name Cain means “to get”) thus he came to God with the same attitude?
At the end of the day, Cain did not come to God in faith. The rejection of Cain in regards to his offering is not the rejection of Cain altogether. How do we know? Because God told Cain what to do. How to fix the problem – the heart problem behind it all.
Genesis 4:5-7. 5So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, and you must rule over it.”
Cain is presented with a growth opportunity. God doesn’t blame Cain for his mistake, he blames sin – sin is crouching at your door desiring to destroy you. Cain’s faith is being tested, but he will tragically fail. He won’t rule over sin. Rather, his anger toward God will overtake his soul becoming jealousy toward Abel. The result? Murder.
Just like in Genesis 3, God enters the scene asking questions. Where is Abel your brother? Cain’s response reveals a far more hardened heart than even that of his father, Adam. Am I my brother’s keeper, he asks God. In everything that Cain has done, he has rejected everything that God made him to be. Do you remember Genesis 2:7? We were created by God and placed into a garden to work and keep it. And do you remember what those two words mean? Worship and protect. Serve God with the creation and guard the creation of God. Genesis 4 records Cain’s complete failure at both. He refused to worship God properly in faith, and he failed to protect his brother’s life.
Through is all Cain shows no remorse, no regret, and no repentance. In fact, he can only think of himself.
Genesis 4:12-14. 12[God said to Cain] When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” 13Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”
As amazing as the moral collapse of Cain is, what’s even more amazing is God’s response to Cain.
Genesis 4:15 Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him.
God has truly become Cain’s keeper, his protector. God’s care for the innocent is matched only by his care for the guilty. The mark God placed on Cain is one of grace and mercy. Not a stigma but a shield. Though deserving of death, Cain will live on. He and his descendants will become civilization builders, culture creators. All of humanity is in debt to the Cainites in more ways than one. And this is all because he was kept by God.
How much more so are we who are in Christ kept by God? Despite our sin. Despite our guilt. Despite our lack of remorse and our failure to take responsibility. God has kept us wholly his. Protecting us from the Enemy that would seek to kill us. Marking us with the seal of the Spirit.
What is the primary difference between you and Cain? Cain had to live outside of the presence of the Lord. If you are in Christ, you will never once wander outside of his presence and protection. And so we say with the Psalmist:
Psalm 121:5-8. 5The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. 6The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. 7The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. 8The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
Questions: In what ways can you see God actively keeping and protecting you? How does union with Christ keep you encouraged in times of fear? How does knowing that Christ is your keeper allow you to be your brother’s keeper?
To Live is Christ 