Genesis 4:9 And the LORD said to Cain, Where is Abel your brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? Man is ever a questioner. Man even questions God. But there are different kinds of questioners, as there are of questions. There are docile questioners, there are defiant questioners. "Am I my brother's keeper?" 1. Human sin says mournfully, "Yes." See how this was confirmed by Cain's vile action. If you have a right (assumed) to sin against a man, you have a right to love him. If he comes into your life and sphere, all reasonable law claims for him blessing rather than blows. 2. Human sorrow says pathetically, "Yes." We have a common heritage of sorrow. 3. Human joy says hopefully, "Yes!" We cannot tell how much of the joy of life depends upon others. 4. Human success says triumphantly, "Yes!" No such thing as independence. We only succeed so far as our fellow man will let us succeed. 5. Human philanthropy says benevolently, "Yes." Look at the development of philanthropy! 6. Human conscience says righteously, "Yes!" Conscience is the voice of God within us. But no "quiet conscience" for him who denies that he is his "brother's keeper." (J. E. Smallow.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? |
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