Am I My Brother's Keeper

Gary Kelly wrote: "Pastor Larry I know we are not suppose to add anything to what is not there. Now in Genesis chapter 4 Abel was he not responsible for sharing with his brother what was pleasing to God? The shedding of blood an animal sacrifice. When we read the New Testament I John 3:12, Hebrews 4:11, even the words of Jesus Matthew 23:35 it makes it seem as if Abel was without fault, but he died (the wages of sin). just looking for some input from someone who seems to be knowledgable about scripture. The question was Am I my brothers keeper?"

There are many layers in the story of Cain and Able:

1.    Is blood sacrifice better than a grain offering? Perhaps it is more to the point of the attitude of the one offering the sacrifice. It says that Able offered the “First Fruit” or the best of his crop while Cain brings only an offering from his crop. Do we give of our best – first fruits – in our offerings? It does not matter what kind of offering if it is the best we have.

2.    Was Able with out fault? Able offered a blood sacrifice for the forgiveness of his sin, so he acknowledged his fault before God. His relationship with God was at peace. He died not because of his sin but because of his brother’s sin.

3.    Am I my brother’s keeper? I note here that Cain used that question as a means to deflect God’s question. Answering a question with a question is an old and well used tradition. Here is a clue to Cain’s problem not wanting to own up to his own responsibility for his actions in the way his offering was made and for the killing of his brother. Cain was selfish and self centered and it corrupted his relationship with God and that is the real issue of the story.