I Am My Brother's Keeper - Genesis 4:9

 

Genesis 4:9 - And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?

The question = Am I my brother’s keeper?
Paraphrased =  Is Abel my responsibility?

Life is about responsibilities. Not only to ourselves but to others too!
Human survival is hedged on the principle of INTERDEPENDENCE.
Examples:

·        (a) Eve Was Created To Be A Help Meet For Adam.
When she ate the forbidden fruit, she failed in her responsibility.

·        (b) Adam was to offer leadership in the family.
When he ate the forbidden fruit under the leadership of Eve, he failed in his responsibility. And that brought misery to humanity.

·        (c) King David as the Chief Captain of his army has the responsibility of protecting their interest.

2 Samuel 11:3 - And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

But David took Bathsheba from Uriah his solder and organised to have Uriah dead and that brought death and great suffering in Israel.

Who Are These Brothers To Keep?

1. Our relatives
   Genesis 4:9 - And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
   Ephesians 6:2 - Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
   I Timothy 5:8 - But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
   
2. Fellow Christians
   Galatians 6:10 - As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
   
   A Classic example is the Church in MACEDONIA  sending help from Europe to brethrens in JUDEA
   2 Corinthians 8:1 – 5
   Verse 4
   4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. (KJV)
   (Seriously requesting us that they might have a part in this grace of being servants to the needs of the saints: (BBE))
   
3. Strangers In Need

A Classic example is the parable of the Good Samaritan – Luke 10:30 – 37
30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 And by chance there came down a certain PRIEST that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 And likewise a LEVITE, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain SAMARITAN, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he HAD COMPASSION ON HIM,
34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, GO, AND DO THOU LIKEWISE.

  My Challenge To You: Put yourself in the shoes of the WOUNDED MAN!