My Brother's Keeper

 

Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:1-9 ESV).

 

Thanksgiving is less than a week away and it seems more families than ever before are wondering if they will have enough food for a traditional “feast.” This picture was taken at the North Texas Food Bank food distribution last week in Ft. Worth, Texas. Thousands of families lined up to receive groceries, some queuing for as long as twelve hours as the on-going pandemic continues to inflict hunger and economic hardships on people all over our nation. The food bank distribution last Saturday saw 600,000 pounds of food given away including 7,000 turkeys. It is estimated that they gave enough food to feed around 25,000 families.

 

When I saw this reported, I wondered how many people it took to manage this distribution? It gave new meaning to the question of our reading today, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (v. 9). Perhaps you recall the story. After leaving Eden, Adam and Eve had two sons: Cain, a crop farmer, and Abel, a shepherd. Eventually Cain offered some fruits of the soil to God while Abel offered the choicest parts from the firstborn of his flock. God honored Abel’s gift but not Cain’s. So Cain got angry. God warned Cain to control his anger, to do what was right, and to prevent sin, which was “lurking at his door” from devouring him (cf. 1 Peter 5:8). But instead Cain killed Abel. “Where’s your brother Abel?” God asks. And Cain unwisely responds, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”  

 

If ever there was a time to help others, today is that time. Perhaps there is someone near you, a neighbor or friend who you should look in on. Even a phone call would be so important to them. We all should take God direction very seriously. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers.