Brothers. . .The Answer is Yes!

Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9 NKJV)

Brothers and their Love!

God has commanded us to love Him and to love our neighbor.  Now there is great argument as to who our neighbor is, but there should be no argument as to who our brother is.  I would suggest that if we are to love our neighbor that should easily include our blood relatives who would be called brothers in the bible.  But the first great sin had to do with how to worship God and Cain killed his brother, because his brother worshiped right, and he worshiped wrong.

Now Cain could have followed Abel’s example and changed the way he worshiped.  I have no doubt that both men had heard the same instructions, likely from the example and teaching of their parents.  But instead Cain was not thinking clearly as is the case with most who rebel against God.  He killed the one who was doing right, rather than changing his mind and doing right himself.  In the new testament this is called repenting.  As a result he was banished from the presence of the Lord.

Old Testament Examples

1.  Jacob and Esau

So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him, and Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” (Genesis 27:41 NKJV)

2.  Joseph and his brothers

Now when they saw him afar off, even before he came near them, they conspired against him to kill him. (Genesis 37:18 NKJV)

3.  Abimelech and the seventy sons of Jerubbaal (Gideon)

Then he went to his father’s house at Ophrah and killed his brothers, the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, because he hid himself. (Judges 9:5 NKJV)

4.  Absalom and Amnon

Then Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, answered and said, “Let not my lord suppose they have killed all the young men, the king’s sons, for only Amnon is dead. For by the command of Absalom this has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar. (2 Samuel 13:32 NKJV)

These are just a few old testament examples of brothers wanting to kill each other.  Is it any wonder that Satan has used hatred over the years to destroy families and to destroy nations.

The True Enemy

Satan (who is the devil) is a roaring lion.  The apostle Peter says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8 NKJV)

In 2 Corinthians 2:11 Paul says we are not ignorant of his devices which include the unwillingness to forgive.

In 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, Satan transforms himself into an angel of light and his ministers (he has his servants) transform themselves into ministers of righteousness.

He is a liar and a murderer and the father (or originator) lies according to John 8:44.

Self Will

Satan is not looking out for others, he is self willed and looking out for himself.  Five times we see him say, “I will” in Isaiah 14:13-14.  Of course it was Lucifer who said this, but likely this could be said of the King of Babylon.  It certainly will be said of the beast in the first part of Revelation 13, and it likely is in the heart of most political leaders who are tyrants.  First they appear to be a bright star and deceive their followers, then they become the roaring lion, destroying any who oppose them.

Lucifer certainly is not his brother’s keeper. Only the Lord has truly been His brother’s keeper.  Instead of saying, “I will” in the garden of Gethsemane, He said, “Not my will but thine be done.”  This was when Satan was attacking him, and His soul was exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.

What About Us?

Are we who claim to be true disciples our brother’s keeper?  Sometimes it is so difficult to understand the truth of what is going on in this world that it is best not to say we know the truth.  Sometimes we who are true disciples find so many different opinions with regard to the doctrines of Scripture, that it is hard to sort it out.  One thing is clear, those who have called themselves Christians down through history have done a lot of hateful killing.

This I know

One thing I know.  We are all born sinners. We are all prone to believe lies.  But while I don’t know much for sure, I do know that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.  He died to save me.  The only way I can truly be sure that I am my brother’s keeper is if I can convince people of a truth that I am fully persuaded is true.  That truth is found in John 3:16-18.  Please read this passage for yourself.

1.  Vs. 16 is God’s provision

2.  Vs. 17 is God’s purpose

3.  vs.  18 is God’s promise.

Let’s quit following men (since the Bible says all men are liars) and let’s start being true disciples so that we can truly be our brother’s keeper.

Bruce Collins

Meditation for the weeks of September 22 and 29, 2024