Genesis 4: My Brother's Keeper?
The questions of God are interesting to me. God knows everything, right? So, why ask?
He does this on many occasions. He did to Adam and Eve in the garden: Where are you? He knew where they were.
He does it to Cain also. "Where is your brother?" God knows the whole story. So, why the question?
Thought one: If God knows the whole story, then he knows what has been done, right and wrong. So, if knows the crime and the appropriate punishment, then why ask the question. Just punish the sinner! However, the willingness of God to ask the question is a sign of mercy and staying of judgment, if only for a moment.
Thought two: Asking the question is an opportunity for the ignorant to learn the answer. God does not ask for himself, but to teach the one who does not know. So, instead of judgment, God is allowing the fallen to learn from the mistake.
Thought three: Asking the question offers and opportunity for repentance. Once the truth is learned, then the ignorant, or the blatant offender, can admit wrong and ask for forgiveness.
Alas, neither Adam and Eve, nor Cain, could pass the the repentance test. Cain's answer is a question also, not a good sign if you need to humble before God. "Am I my brother's keeper?" In other words, "Am I responsible?" Uh, yeah. You are the older brother. You killed him. And you know where he is. Guilty on all counts. Cain failed miserably in life as a brother and in judgment before God.
Now, not even God pronounced the death penalty here on Cain, and required that no other man kill Cain--an interesting development in the story that is up for discussion. Any one care to explain that one?
Yet, God is still merciful, even though the question was not fully understood or sufficiently answered. God is merciful in his tests--allowing several takes for many of us before the final exam is given.
I bet my students would prefer that God handle my exams.
He does this on many occasions. He did to Adam and Eve in the garden: Where are you? He knew where they were.
He does it to Cain also. "Where is your brother?" God knows the whole story. So, why the question?
Thought one: If God knows the whole story, then he knows what has been done, right and wrong. So, if knows the crime and the appropriate punishment, then why ask the question. Just punish the sinner! However, the willingness of God to ask the question is a sign of mercy and staying of judgment, if only for a moment.
Thought two: Asking the question is an opportunity for the ignorant to learn the answer. God does not ask for himself, but to teach the one who does not know. So, instead of judgment, God is allowing the fallen to learn from the mistake.
Thought three: Asking the question offers and opportunity for repentance. Once the truth is learned, then the ignorant, or the blatant offender, can admit wrong and ask for forgiveness.
Alas, neither Adam and Eve, nor Cain, could pass the the repentance test. Cain's answer is a question also, not a good sign if you need to humble before God. "Am I my brother's keeper?" In other words, "Am I responsible?" Uh, yeah. You are the older brother. You killed him. And you know where he is. Guilty on all counts. Cain failed miserably in life as a brother and in judgment before God.
Now, not even God pronounced the death penalty here on Cain, and required that no other man kill Cain--an interesting development in the story that is up for discussion. Any one care to explain that one?
Yet, God is still merciful, even though the question was not fully understood or sufficiently answered. God is merciful in his tests--allowing several takes for many of us before the final exam is given.
I bet my students would prefer that God handle my exams.
posted by Randy Rogers at
3:07 PM
5 Comments:
God punished Cain by making the ground unfruitful to him, causing him to wander for his living, and to ensure his sentence gave him a mark or a look that made people know to leave him alone. What kinda look could that be?
Some of his children had much to do with the developpment of technology, tenting and music.
Robert
A teacher once suggested it was in his eyes. Others have said skin color (and that begins a whole other problem and discussion). Rabbis suggest it was a horn or forehead protrusion. I've heard the "mark."
I guess it could be anything. Everyone was well aware that judgment was God's, and his alone.
His punishment was not easy.
In one way, I can see how the Hebrews used this story to explain the development of nomadic herdsmen (ranchers) who were antagonistic to agrarian communities (farmers). I can also see how this might set the stage for the sacrificial system adopted by the Hebrews as well.
I wonder what it was that Abel actually sacrificed and how he did that...
RFR
well it does say fat thereof
Cain brought some of, Abel brought the very best of the firstfruits.
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