Take a Walk with Me - Pt. 3

 

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?” And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cis crying to me from the ground. And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, hand whoever finds me will kill me.” Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him. Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. (Genesis 4:8-16 ESV).

 

A few years ago, Mary and I spent some time with David and his family in the lower range of the Appalachians. David and I, along with Maggie, Lucy, and Harris decided to go on a short hike to see the longest suspension bridge in the country. It happened to be a short drive from the cabin where we were staying. It required a short hike along the Appalachian Trail to get there. As we walked along, the kids noticed a white rectangle painted on one of the trees. Of course, their curiosity kicked in and they asked why anyone would paint on the tree. I suppose they thought someone had vandalized the tree. I explained these markers were called “blazes.” They were put there to help navigate your way and stay on the trail. If you see the white blazes, you know you’re still on the path.

 

Unfortunately, some people step off the trail and get lost in the woods. For a hiker, that can be a dangerous sort of “missing the mark.” In our reading today, Cain turns away from walking with God and is lost. It is a graphic story showing the depths of human sin as Cain attacks and kills his brother Abel because he feels slighted and resentful. The brokenness caused by sin blooms fully in this first murder in human history.

 

When God confronts Cain with his hideous deed, Cain isn’t sorry. He is concerned only about his own fate. He is terrified that others will follow his example and kill him. Though God graciously marks Cain to protect him from violence, Cain remains lost as a wanderer and a fugitive. In the Bible the Hebrew word for “sin” (hatta’t) literally means “missing the mark.” In our alienation from God and from others, we miss the mark. We are all lost. But Jesus finds us and sets us on the right path, the way of following him and loving others. He has clearly marked the way with His footprints through His life and the Scripture. As we continue to walk along this journey, make sure you are on the path marked by Jesus.