Preparing for Worship: Yes, we are our brothers’ keeper, Genesis 4

In Genesis 4, Adam and Eve bore Cain and Abel. Cain was a worker of the ground and Abel was a keeper of sheep. You know the story quite well. Adam and Eve were sent out of the garden. They were starting life anew outside of God’s covenanted garden. Everything was going to be difficult. In fact, the first brotherly relationship ended in death. Cain did not bring an acceptable sacrifice, and he became angry. So he rose up and killed his brother. And then the divine questioning began, very much like the questioning in the Garden, remember? “Adam, where are you?” Hide and seek is one game you don’t want to play with God. The Omnipresent God continues, “Cain, where is your brother?” “I don’t know,” Cain responds. “Am I my brother’s keeper?[1] In other words, “Should I be responsible for guarding something you gave me?” Does this language sound familiar? In Genesis 2:15 we read: “Yahweh God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.[2]” Cain is saying to God, “Am I supposed to guard and shepherd this gift?” Abel was Cain’s garden. He was expected to treasure his brother, but he killed him. Just as Adam killed his treasure, the garden by disobedience, so did his son Cain kill his brother by disobedience.

Brothers and sisters, indeed we are our brothers and sisters’ keepers. We come this morning to watch and care and shepherd one another. Let us love one another with singing, confessing, loving, and caring for this is what our older brother Jesus has done for us.

[1] Shamar indicates keeping, shepherding.

[2] Shamar – same idea.