Where is your brother?

 

A dichotomy of our human nature dictates that the desire for vengeance and the capacity to show mercy co-exist within every human heart, but the penchant for showing mercy must be more than the inclination for revenge.

When Cain Killed his brother Abel, it was because he allowed his need for revenge to override his capacity to be merciful.

How often do you entertain vengeance rather than taking a step back to give way to mercy?

Later, the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” Cain answered, “I don’t know. Is it my job to watch over my brother?” (Genesis 4:9 ERV)

Is it your job to watch over your brother? Where is your brother; do you even know?

Do you recognize that your fellow believer is your brother? That’s where your brother is. Jesus told us where our brothers are and who they are in Matthew 12:49-50 when He pointed to His disciples and said,

“Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother...” (NET)

Cain killed his blood brother while in a state of anger, not out of hate but sheer confusion. God never gives Cain a reason for His rejection. Instead, God drives him away and he becomes a wandering fugitive, but after discourse between Cain and God, God placed a mark of protection on Cain, and he survives.

Every sermon I have ever heard based on these two brothers, simply pronounces Cain guilty without diving into the meat of the story, just a serving of milk but God showed Cain mercy.

Why after his dastardly deed, did God still cover Cain?

Cain bore the mark of divine protection, yet we cannot see beyond the fratricide that he committed. We only see him in the one glaring light that highlights his actions before he was divinely branded.

Do we even remember the mark, or do we brush past it, ignoring the divine touch upon his life that came after his unfortunate act of misguidance?

What is that thing within us that prevents us from showing Cain mercy? It is that same desire for vengeance that lurks in our own hearts. Are we no better than Cain?

We ask, where is your brother? And with the answer we hear, we quickly condemn because we believe that Cain is his brother’s keeper. But do we truly believe that it is our job, our responsibility, to watch over our brother? Be honest.

God’s protection of Cain, a murderer, makes no sense to our human logic. We cannot reconcile it as it seems to be a contradiction of everything we were taught. We cannot reconcile it because we want justice for Abel. We cannot reconcile it because we, like Cain, see God’s action as unfair.

God did not accept Cain’s offering.

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why is your expression downcast? Is it not true that if you do what is right, you will be fine? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. It desires to dominate you, but you must subdue it.” (Genesis 4:6-7 NET)

Cain was jealous. Cain was angry. Cain was confused. Cain was misguided.

But, yes but…what are we being taught through this story of brotherly conflict? Remember the two things that co-exist, vengeance and mercy? They aren’t the only two opposing roommates.

There’s also the carnal, calling for revenge and the spiritual, demanding mercy. The old man and the new creation. The older brother and the younger brother. The Cain and the Abel.

Abel took care of the flocks, while Cain cultivated the ground. (Genesis 4:2 NET)

Abel represents our spiritual nature, while Cain represents our carnal nature.

Beloved, how often have you allowed your carnal nature – your constant toiling and dependence on the world – to supersede your spiritual nature – your seeking His Presence and dependence on God? Be honest.

Take heed, “sin is crouching at the door. It desires to dominate you, but you must subdue it.”

Genesis chapter 4 is about human duality.

Living the world’s way over living God’s way.

Our desire to control over our need for reliance.

Choosing vengeance over mercy.

It’s time for us to really choose God.

Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don't yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ. (Ephesians 4:31-32 CEV)

God has extended His mercy to every human being, mercy we don’t deserve and every believer bears that divine mark of protection, all through the Blood of Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Where is your brother?” © November 19, 2025