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Category: Through the Bible Page 36 of 46

Am I my brother’s keeper?

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On October 10, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

When God questioned Cain as to the whereabouts of his brother Abel, whom he had murdered, Cain responded first with a lie saying that “I know not” and then counter-questioned God “Am I my brother’s keeper?” This is probably the first counter-question asked by man to God since the creation of man. Though there is no record of God directly and explicitly answering this question of Cain, we must be careful to not write this question off, as one that is rhetorical, for it is not.

Points to ponder:
Are you your brother’s keeper? Am I my brother’s keeper? The answer is an absolute ‘YES’ for the epistle to the Romans makes this very clear that no man lives to himself nor dies to himself (Romans 14:7). Jesus called his disciples, his brothers (Matthew 28:10) and just as God is the keeper of his people (Psalm 121:4), we are expected to be as followers of God (Ephesians 6:1) and keepers of our brethren as well.

Genesis 4:7-9 (KJV)
9 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?

Romans 14:7 (KJV)
7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

Cain is charged with DUI

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On October 8, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

When God questioned Cain as to the whereabouts of his brother Abel, whom he had murdered, Cain responded first with a lie saying that “I know not” and then counter-questioned God “Am I my brother’s keeper?” God had given Cain a chance to be accepted even though his offering was not (Genesis 4:6-7). At this time, Abel was still alive, but instead of heeding to God’s voice, Cain rejects God’s offer to be accepted. Instead he let’s sin rule over him. He talks to his brother Abel and when they are in the field, Cain rises against his brother Abel and slays him (Genesis 4:7-8). Cain murders his brother and then lied about his murder to God, the omniscient.

Cain willfully chose to blaspheme by rejecting the conviction of the Holy Spirit of God and letting sin rule over him. Cain murdered and lied, because his life was driven by and under the influence (DUI) of the devil. Jesus referred to the devil as a murderer and liar from the very beginning (John 8:44).  Notice the sins of Cain was murder and lies. Notice the devil is the father of lies and a murderer.

Points to ponder:
When we willfully sin against God, rejecting the conviction of the Holy Spirit of God, we blaspheme against God and are under the influence of the evil one i.e., our lives are driven by the devil. Let us not willfully reject the conviction of the Holy Spirit of God (John 16:8-9) and blaspheme against him, lest we shall be like Cain DUI.

Genesis 4:7-9 (KJV)
7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
9 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?

John 8:44 (KJV)
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Where is Abel thy brother?

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On October 7, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

When Cain slew Abel, God questioned Cain, “Where is Abel thy brother?” While this may seem on the surface as an interrogative question, in reality it was much more. It was meant to be more introspective than interrogative, for God who is omniscient certainly knew where Abel was. In fact, the very next statement that God makes is that he has heard the voice of Abel’s blood crying out to him. So why then did God ask, “Where is Abel thy brother?”

First, I believe, God wanted to pique the conscience of Cain in reminding him of his foolish sin of murder and asks him for Abel’s whereabouts. God was not so much so condemning Cain as much as he was trying to convict Cain of sin by appealling to Cain’s conscience. Second, if you noticed, God mentions Abel by name, not so much so, clarifying as to whom he was asking about, but more so to confirm that God knows those who find favor in his sight (as did Abel) by name (Genesis 4:; Exodus 33:17). God knows his sheep (his people – you and me) by name (John 10:3). Finally, God refers to Abel as Cain’s brother. Ever wonder why God would explicitly state the relationship between Cain and Abel? At this moment in time, there are no known children of Adam and Eve, mentioned in the Bible and so Cain certainly did not need anyone to remind him that Abel was his brother. So why then did God refer to the Abel as Cain’s brother? I believe, the plausible reason for God to state the relationship between Cain and Abel is to indicate the heart of God, that God is a family-oriented God and he is a God who cares about relationships.

Points to ponder:
When we sin against God by our own selfish lusts and desires (James 1:14), God does not condemn us but instead convicts us of our sin and righteousness and of judgment by the anointing (unction) of the Holy Spirit (John 16:8-9). Let us not ignore or reject the conviction of the Holy Sprit grieving him but instead let us repent of any unconfessed sin (Ephesians 4:30). And on those who believe in Jesus Christ, and who repent and confess their sin, Jesus’ righteousness is imputed on them (Philippians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 1:9). God knows his righteous by name, as they are recorded in Jesus’, the Lamb of God’s, book of life (Revelation 21:27).  Jesus called his disciples brothers (Matthew 28:10) after his resurrection following the completion of the work of God of reconciling God and man on the Cross of calvary (John 19:30). Yahweh is a God who is about reconciling relationship – the relationship between God and man – as brother to brother.

Genesis 4:9 (KJV)
9 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?

Matthew 28:10 (KJV)
10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

God hates sin, not the sinner (God loved Cain)

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On October 4, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Often in Christian circles, we hear the cliche, “Hate the sin, Love the sinner” or a variant of that, which is “God hates sin, not the sinner.” If you searched the Bible for a verse with these words, you would not find one, however, hidden in the Scripture is evidence that supports this meme – God does hate sin, not the sinner. Closer scrutiny of the Scripture reveals that this motif has been in effect since the beginning of time, since Genesis, since Adam and Eve, since Cain and Abel.

Since God hated sin (disobedience) and not Adam & Eve (the sinner); and so Adam & Eve were banished instead of facing the judgment of God, which meant death. (Genesis 3)
Since God hated sin (unacceptable offerings) and not Cain (the sinner); God gives Cain a chance – an opportunity to do what is right (well) and assures him that if Cain did not allow sin to rule over him, God would accept him as well (Genesis 4:7)

In other words, when God asks Cain, “If thou doest well, shalt not thou be accepted?”, what God was expressing is that even though Cain’s sinful (partial) offering was not acceptable, Cain was.

Points to ponder:
Because God hates sin, (and) not the sinner, while we were still sinners, God demonstrated his love for us by sending forth his Only begotten Son, to die for us (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). Even if we have lived a life of sin which was unacceptable to the Lord, irrespective of the gravity of our sin, he gives each one of us, a chance – an opportunity to not let sin rule over us, an opportunity to let Jesus rule over us by walking in his Spirit (Romans 8:1). In other words, though God may not have accepted our life offering in the past, we are not outside his reach … He will accept all who do well – all who believe in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:6), who walk not according to the flesh (Romans 8:1). To do well is to believe in Jesus and walk according to his Spirit.

I take solace in the fact, that I, a vile sinner, have a chance, because Got hates sin, and not me, and accepts me for I believe in his Son and know him (John 3:16; John 17:3). God hates sin, not you! Do you believe?

Genesis 4:7 (KJV)
7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

Romans 5:8 (KJV)
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 8:1 (KJV)
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

It is needed to admit

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On October 4, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 4:10 reads out as God asking Cain, what has thou done and then God continues to inform Cain that his brother Abel’s blood whom Cain had slain cried unto God from the ground.

Did you wonder why the all-knowing (omniscient) God would have to ask Cain, what he had done? A person with a contrite and penitent heart would confess when confronted of their sin, especially if they are convicted by the Holy Spirit of God (John 16:9). And a broken and contrite spirit, God will not despise (Psalm 51:17) and if anyone who admits (confesses) with their mouth, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse him/her of all unrighteousness.

Points to ponder:
When God asks us “What hast thou done?”, it is not because he does not know, but because he wants us to admit (confess) our sin and when we do, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Have you admitted. It is needed to confess/admit.

Genesis 4:10 (KJV)
10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.

1 John 1:9 (KJV)
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Psalms 51:47 (KJV17
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

If thou doest well …

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On October 2, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 4:7-8 records the question that God has for Cain. God’s question to Cain was “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?”

On the surface, this question can be mistakenly understood that by works one could gain the acceptance of God.  The context in which God is asking Cain this question is not in the context of “acceptance by works (doing well)” but in the context of doing well to not let sin rule over him. God tells Cain that sin lay at the door (of his life) and he had to do well (right) to not let sin in, for it would rule over him if he let it in. Cain refuses to listen to God and ends up committing the first murder, slaying his very own brother Abel.

Points to ponder:
It is not by our works that God accepts us. It is only by grace and grace alone and not by our works, that God accepts us in his beloved (Ephesians 1:6; Ephesians 2:8-9). Instead of letting sin that is at the door of our life in to rule over us, we need to let The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in, to rule over us. Jesus said, Behold, he is standing at the door of our life, knocking and wanting to come in and commune (dine) with us (Revelation 3:20).

If we let sin in, we don’t do well and we will be rejected.
If we let the Savior Jesus Christ in, we do well and we will be accepted.
Do you do well? Am I doing well?

Genesis 4:7-8 (KJV)
7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Furious and Fallen Faces

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On October 1, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 4:5-7 reads “But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth (furious), and his countenance fell. And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shall thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee [shall be] his desire, and thou rule over him.”

From this account, we learn that the offering of Cain was one that God did not respect because Cain was letting sin rule over him. This makes Cain furious and he has a long (fallen) face which God notices. God also gives him a reason that it is because he did not do well in not being subject to sin that his offering was not accepted. God then gives Cain an opportunity to not let sin rule over him by advising him to do well.

Points to ponder:
God notices our faces and gives us an opportunity to do well and not allow sin to rule over us. But if we continue to let sin rule over us, we can expect the offering of our life (Romans 12:1-2) to be rejected and the outcome is going to be furious and fallen faces of ours. If God’s sees you today, would he see you as one with a furious and fallen face (meaning we are still slaves to sin) or as one whose face is lightened (by the Light of the World), radiant (radiating his glorious Light) and not ashamed (meaning we are slaves of God and not of sin). How is your face?

Genesis 3:5-7 (KJV)
5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

Psalm 34:5 (KJV)
5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

In God’s hand

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On September 30, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

September 30, 2013, marks 23 years of my life as a born again believer. It was on this very day, 23 years ago, that my day of sorrows was changed into a day of joy, when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

As I pondered over what I would wish for my spiritual birthday, I prayed that God would continue to hold me in his nail-pierced hand. The Bible says that we were held by God in our mother’s womb (Psalm 71:6) as God fashioned us fearfully and wonderfully (Psalm 139:14) in his very image (Genesis 1:27). It also says that in God’s hand is our very breath (Daniel 5:23) meaning that our very lives depend on us being in his hand.

I wish to live – live life to the fullest – as a slave of Jesus, so that I can experience the liberty one has in Him (Galatians 2:4) abundantly (John 10:10). I wish to be under bondage to God my Savior so that I am not in bondage to sin or the world (Galatians 2:4) i.e., I wish to be in God’s hand, held by him, so that I am not held by anything or anyone else in this world.

Points to ponder:
Who or What is holding on to you or in whose hand are you? Where do you want to be?

Daniel 5:23 (KJV)
23 But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:

John 10:10
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Harvest offering – What kind will our life be?

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On September 23, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 4:3-5 gives the account of the two sons of Adam that brought their respective offerings to the Lord God – one of which was accepted while the other was not. Abel’s was accepted while Cain’s was not. This account begins by giving an indication of the time when the offerings were brought before the Lord God. It was when the process of time had come to pass. In other words, the New Living Translation refers to this time frame as the time of the harvest.

Points to ponder:
First, we are commanded to present our bodies as an offering – a living sacrifice, holy an acceptable to the Lord.
Second, Revelation chapter 14 informs us of two harvests in the end times – in the time of the harvest (Revelation 14:15) – one which the Son of man (Jesus – Daniel 7:13; Revelation 14:14) harvests to himself and the other which an angel reaps to be trampled.

So when the time for the harvest comes (in the process of time), will the harvest offering of our lives be one that is acceptable (like that of Abel) to the Lord, reaped by Jesus Christ to himself, or will it be one that is unacceptable (like that of Cain) that is harvested to be trampled (Revelation 14:20; Hebrews 10:26-29)? We are all going to be harvest — the question is, which harvest will our lives be in?ee

Genesis 4:3-5 (KJV)
3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.
4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

Revelation 14:14-20 (KJV)
14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.
19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

Keeper of sheep

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On September 19, 2013

In Christian, Through the Bible

The latter part of Genesis 4:2 speaks about the professions of the sons of Adam. Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain was a tiller of the ground.

As keeper of sheep, Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof and the Lord accepted his offering. Leviticus chapter 3 speaks about the procedures of a peace offering and highlights that the fat of the animal being offered is a special gift to the Lord (Leviticus 3:9) and that all of the fat must be presented to the Lord (Leviticus 3:9,14) because all of the fat is the Lord’s (Leviticus 3:16). In other words, not only did Abel brings the first of his flock, expressing that God was his priority, but he also brought a complete offering (all of it including its fat), expressing that God was also his pre-eminence.

Points to ponder:
God wants us to offer ourselves as a first and full offering – a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). He was us to give him priority and pre-eminence.

On a separate note, Jesus is the chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4), and the people are his sheep (Luke 15). Jesus asked Peter, if Peter loved him and told him that if Peter loved Jesus, Peter must keep i.e., feed and take care of his lambs/sheep (John 21:15-17). In like manner we are commanded to love God totally (Mark 12:30) and we are commissioned to be keepers of his sheep (John 21:15-17). Let us be keepers of sheep, which is an expression of our love of God. Are you/Am I a keeper of sheep?

Genesis 4:2-5 (KJV)
2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.
4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

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