"Genesis and Other Things"

Lesson Five - Am I My Brother's Keeper?

Moderated by Bob Huddlestun

Read Genesis 4:1-16

    Sibling rivalry and the dysfunctional family are popular topics in today's periodicals as though these are new problems caused by the stress of our times. From today's story we can see just how old they really are. We should also be able to understand the fundamental cause for them. 

Questions: 

    The problem (Verses 2-12): Abel was a shepherd, Cain a farmer. As an offering to the LORD each brought a portion of the product of their labors. The LORD accepted Abel's sacrifice, but not Cain's. Cain became so angry that he    murdered his brother, resulting in Cain's exile. 

    Why was Cain's offering rejected? No reason is given. Any suggestion can only be speculation. From our human perspective it seems very unfair. My best guess comes from last week's lesson - "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." Perhaps, and I emphasize that word, this standard was known since Abel had killed lambs for his offering while, as yet, there is no suggestion that he would eat the meat (See Genesis 1:29-30). 

    Was Cain's anger justified? In verse six God questions his anger saying, "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?" This indicates that Cain knew what was right, but chose to do it his way instead. This is the second example of a man being his own god. Cain decided what should constitute an acceptable offering, just as his parents had determined how to cover their nakedness (See Proverbs 16:25). Does this verse sound familiar? It should. It is exactly the same as Proverbs 14:12, a verse we looked at last week. Could God be telling us something by repeating this warning? 

    "If you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door . . . you must master it" (verse 7b). Peter makes a similar statement in his first letter, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith." (1 Peter 5:8,9). Obviously Cain was not self-controlled. He allowed his anger and jealousy to lead him into greater sin. Wrong action stems from a wrong attitude. 

    Jesus indicates that a wrong attitude, not just wrong action, is sin. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:21-24) he suggests that anger is as serious as murder. In verse 21 he quotes the Law, "Thou shalt not kill" (KJV) (NIV="murder"). We all understand that murderers will face the judgment of God. But Jesus goes on to say (verse 22) "that anyone who is angry with his brother" is subject to that same judgment. That's getting pretty serious, isn't it?  He goes on to say, "Anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,'" (an Aramaic term meaning dummy, stupid, blockhead, etc.) "is answerable to the Sanhedrin" (The highest court in the land for the Jew), and to say to your brother, "You fool," puts you in danger of eternal destruction. 

How can this be so? 

    First, anger is a serious emotion. It can lead to terrible behavior as it did in the case of Cain. At best it causes physical distress along with emotional turmoil in the angry person, while creating an invisible wall between the parties involved, a barrier that continues to grow unless steps are taken to remove it. Such barriers make it impossible to obey Jesus' command that we love one another (John 15:17). The Apostle John warns us not to be like Cain, but to love our brothers "not with words . . . but with actions and in truth" (1 John 3:11-20). 

    Next, to call a brother "raca", or any term of contempt, is an attack on his self esteem. To call him a "fool" (apostate wretch, Diag.; obstinate, godless person, Arndt and Gingrich) could be considered an assault on his public image. Psychologists confirm that to destroy a person's self image or public image is very serious, tantamount to murder. 

    However, anger is a natural reaction when we are offended. Is it ever justified? Of course. Jesus became angry with the Pharisees and teachers of the law for their hypocritical leadership (Matthew 23:1-39). He was apparently angered by the money changers in the temple because they took advantage of the poor (Matthew 21:12-13). But anger must be examined as to its cause and all anger, justified or not, must be dealt with properly. Anger shoved under the rug will only fester, and eventually kill. 

    Back in Matthew five Jesus tells us how to deal with it. If "your brother has something against you", he says, "go and be reconciled." This is the answer whether you have reason to be angry with him, or if he is upset with you, go to him, talk it out, be reconciled. (See also Matthew 18:15-17). 

    There is an interesting tradition among the Jews. The ten days between Rosh Hashanna and Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the Jewish year) are known as the Days of Awe because it is thought that during those days God opens the Book of Life and decides who will die, who will prosper, or who will suffer loss during the year to come. As a result pious Jews are on their best behavior during this time. They feel duty bound to resolve any problems that might have arisen with others during the previous year, seeking out those people in order to make amends where necessary, seek forgiveness and be forgiving where necessary, and to be especially generous to all. Thus they can approach God on Yom Kippur with a clear conscience. Consider how much strife could be avoided, how much more productive we could be, if we practiced this, not just once a year, but throughout the year as problems arise. 

Question: If Cain was angry with God, why did he kill Abel? 

    Cain's anger developed into jealousy. Unable to strike out at God he chose to strike at the one he thought God favored. We see this reaction often in families with small children. The larger will hurt the smaller child if he imagines that the smaller sibling enjoys a favorable status with the parents. In the work place an employee will often attempt to undermine the work of another who appears to be favored by management. What do you believe to be the underlying cause for such jealous behavior? 

"My punishment is more than I can bear" (Verse 13). 

Question: Do you believe Cain's punishment fit the crime?

    Cain was guilty of premeditated murder. Later, under the Law, such a crime was punishable by death (Numbers 35:16-21). Cain, however, was sent into exile, away from the presence of God, away from the land he tilled, to wander a land that would no longer yield a crop. For a farmer that had to be tough. 

Is there a fate worse than death? 

Bob Huddlestun

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