Genesis 4:10 "I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?"
Sometimes for fun, other times as an excuse, and still others as an inspiration for good, the phrase Am I my brother's keeper is still being repeated more than 5000 years later. Cain was in protection mode. He had to save his reputation. God had warned him that Satan was trying to capture him and that he had to master the temptation to act on his anger, but he didn't. He let anger fume inside him, and now Cain was guilty of the first murder, the death of Abel.
Lying seems to be the next step after sinning. Cain, being questioned by God, sought to throw God off saying it wasn't his responsibility to know where his brother was. Why should he care what his brother was up to? But, God knew where Abel was, and he also knew that Cain did as well. He knew what Cain had done. Brothers should be looking out for each other, but jealousy brought division and separated these brothers and now that relationship could not be restored. Hatred brought death, and death, permanent separation.
A and K, do you love each other? Do you love your brothers? Are the brothers you have been given worth caring about. Do you look out for them. When your brothers can do things better than you, do you get jealous? Don't get angry. Don't let anger turn into hate. Be a blessing to them and care for their needs. Know where they are, and keep them close to your heart.
This not only is true for your family, but it is true for you spiritual brothers and sisters as well. I have always liked our church name, Brethren in Christ. That is how we should be. Proverbs 18 says that there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. That needs to be you. Keep close to your family. Keep them in your prayers. Keep them in your care. Be your brother's keeper.
~Dad
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