Am I My Brother’s Keeper?
Text: Genesis 4: 1-15
*Several New Testament truths find their basis in this account:
(1) Sacrifices should be offered to God from a heart of faith, and must be the best of the livestock, the firstborn. {Note verse 4}Jesus would be the ultimate Sacrifice!
Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
(2) Here the elder was rejected in favor of the younger, turning the normative societal custom around. But everyone can find forgiveness!
Isa 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
(3) Homicidal blood pollutes the land, crying out for vengeance—spilled blood raised its voice of accusation (v. 10). Justice cries out for vengeance.
Isa 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
(4) Blood revenge was averted by God through protective care, just as later removal to a city of refuge would avert an avenger. The justice of God is the avenger that must be satisfied! Jesus satisfied the justice of God! In Him alone is safety!
Ps 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
(5) Punishment for guilt is the consequence of Gods holiness and justice. Guilt must be acknowledged!
Prov 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
(6) Life without God is a dangerous life without protection. Sin separates from God!
Isa 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
(7) Human beings have responsibilities to each other—they are each others’ keepers and must not kill one another. Christians must take the saving gospel to the whole world!
Rom 1:14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
Lord, With Glowing Heart I’ll Praise Thee
Lord, with glowing heart I’ll praise Thee
For the bliss Thy love bestows.
For the pardoning grace that saves me,
And the peace that from it flows.
Help, O God, my weak endeavors,
This dull soul to rapture raise;
Thou must light the flame, or never
Can my love be warmed to praise.
Praise, my soul, the God that sought thee,
Wretched wand’rer far astray;
Found thee lost, and kindly brought thee,
From the paths of death away.
Praise, with love’s devoutest feeling,
Him who saw thy guilt-born fear,
And, the light of hope revealing,
Bade the blood-stained Cross appear.
Johnny D. Pyles