Where is your brother?  And is he Able?

 Genesis 4: 1-25

    Adam and Eve’s first two boys, Cain a farmer of the land and Able a shepherd. They both knew and recognized GOD, one had more respect for GOD than the other. Cain brought some of his produce as an offering, not necessarily his best and Able brought the best portions of his flock as his offering. You will notice the LORD accepted Abel’s, but not Cain’s offering which made Cain very angry. Sometime later the LORD went to Cain and asked him what was wrong. Some important things to note here is that it was GOD who initiated the conversation with Cain. Remember this next time you do not think you are not worthy enough to have a conversation with GOD. At this point GOD tells Cain to examine his motives in his offering and if he does what is right, he will be accepted. GOD did not cut him off because of his offering, he was giving Cain another chance. Unfortunately, from here it all goes downhill quickly. It was Cain’s idea to go out into the fields, where he killed his brother. Yet again it was GOD who initiates the conversation and there is no doubt about the sin, Cain is a murderer, yet GOD still goes to Cain, knowing exactly what had happened. Remember in the free choice, mankind gets to decide what is good and what is evil and reap the consequences of those choices, GOD does not force his will on mankind. GOD asks Cain where his brother is? Notice he does not accuse him of the act, but GOD says afterwards that the blood cries out to him from the ground, so GOD knew full well what had happened. The consequences for Cain's action, keeping in mind GOD’s words to Cain was that he would be banished from the ground, the ground would no longer yield good crops for Cain no matter how hard he worked. He would also be a homeless wanderer on the earth. Cain’s response from this is not in remorse for what he did to his brother, but in what he had lost, the ability to grow crops and with that he wrongly believes he was also banished from the LORD’s presence. Look at Cain’s wording “You have made me a homeless wanderer, not mentioning the fact that it was his own doing.  We love to blame GOD for when things go wrong, and we are slow or do not ever give credit when things are good. That aside Cain also adds his own punishment in that whoever finds him will want revenge for Able and want to kill him. GOD does not want any more senseless killing and says, “Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord puts a mark on Cain so that anyone who found him would not kill him.

 Something to think about. GOD asked Cain a question that still echoes in our present age and Cain's reply "Am I my brother's keeper? GOD's question "Where is your brother?" I say to myself and you, look at the people around you, they are your brothers and sisters. Am I my brother's keeper? Do I want to take care of, protect and love them above myself? GOD is looking for your yes! Apply this kind of love locally, provincially, federally, in Countries all around the world.