Day 23 – March 28, 2022

Cain and Abel – Part 1

^3-4 At harvest time, Cain brought a gift to the Lord. He brought some of the food that he grew from the ground, but Abel brought some animals from his flock. He chose some of his best sheep and brought the best parts from them.

The Lord accepted Abel and his gift. ⁵ But he did not accept Cain and his offering. Cain was sad because of this, and he became very angry. ⁶ The Lord asked Cain, “Why are you angry? Why does your face look sad? ⁷ You know that if you do what is right, I will accept you. But if you don’t, sin is ready to attack you. That sin will want to control you, but you must control it.”

⁸ Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” So they went to the field. Then Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

⁹ 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?” (other translations: “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

Genesis 4:3-9

We all know this story as the first murder in the Bible. What would you say is the root cause of Cain’s action against his brother Abel? What is a way that Cain could have “controlled” the sin that was seeking to control him? When has anger led you to do harm to someone? Are you to be your brother’s (or sister’s keeper?” Does this apply to just blood brothers (and sisters)? Do you think we should apply it to the wider “human family”? Why or why not?

Each day (except Sundays) during Lent, we will post a Scripture for reflection on our theme, “Military Withdrawal.” Together, we will learn to walk in God’s ways of peacemaking and reconciliation. These posts are meant to stimulate conversation and interaction. Please post your thoughts and comments.