Genesis 4:8: “Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose against Abel his brother and killed him.”

September 19th, 2022 by Pastor Ed in devotional

Did you notice that the words “his brother” followed Abel’s name both times he was mentioned in this verse? God does not want us to miss the closeness, the nearness of their relationship. It didn’t take humanity long to reach the point of murder. Cain allowed his anger to grow unchecked. He allowed it to burn out of control until it turned into hatred. He rejected the wisdom given him directly by God. He rejected doing the right thing, and then he refused to repent. So what God had warned of happening took place: “sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you” (Gen. 4:7). Crouching sin pounced on him and he became a murderer.

There is an old legend from an unknown source about two Hebrew brothers. It’s not necessarily a true story, but it is a beautiful illustration of brotherly love:

Two brothers lived side by side on adjoining lands. One was the head of a large family, the other lived alone. One night, the older brother lay awake and thought, “My brother lives alone; he has not the companionship of wife and children to cheer his heart as I have. While he sleeps, I will carry some of my sheaves into his field.”

At the same hour, the younger brother reasoned, “My brother has a large family, and his necessities are greater than mine. As he sleeps I will put some of my sheaves on his side of the field.”

Thus the two brothers went out, each laden with sheaves—and met at the dividing line. There they cried and embraced each other.

The legend holds that this was the spot where the altar of Solomon’s temple was placed years later.

Adam and Eve doubted God, which led them to disobey Him, and so sin entered creation that very day. Cain followed in his parent’s footsteps, also deciding to go around God and disobey Him. Russian writer, Fyodor Dostoevsky understood that “If God does not exist, everything is permissible.” Man, left to himself, lives for himself. Man leans on the design of his mind, the desires of his flesh, and the determination of his own hands. How can we avoid these trappings? Believe what God has said in His word and walk in faith. As Paul tells us, “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb. 11:6).

“LORD, we believe, help our unbelief today.”