Where is Your Brother?

by Israel Wayne

Et tu Brutè? “You too, Brutus?” According to Shakespeare’s tragedy, Julius Caesar asked this question of the one man that he thought he could trust. Despite Caesar’s confidence in him, M. Junius Brutus was part of a conspiracy to murder the eminent ruler on March 15, 44 B.C. Have you ever wondered why it is so difficult to find true friends? Why is it that people can be so hurtful and treacherous? Brotherhood in the first cause has underscored the tension that humans have experienced throughout the ages.

In the original sin against God, Adam is asked, “Where are you?” In the first sin against humanity, Adam’s son is asked, “Where is your brother?” (Genesis 4:9). The issue undergirding both questions is love.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” The second is this, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” And the scribe said to Him, “Right, Teacher … (T)o love one’s neighbor as himself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God” (Mark 12:30-34 NASB).

While it may be true that doctrines of salvation and justification are vertically oriented, every practical outworking of Christian sanctification is horizontal in its scope and application.

God isn’t interested in our outward demonstrations of piety and liturgy; His desire is that we “do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8).

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others” (Matthew 23:23 NASB).

Justice, mercy and covenant faithfulness to God’s people, rank way above sacrifices and offerings. You can only consistently live this way if you are humble before the Lord, living in poverty of spirit. You can’t think that your ideas, opinions and desires must be above others around you. This was the lesson that Cain needed to learn.

God was pleased with Abel’s sacrifice, but not with the offering of his older brother. Cain should have humbled himself before the Lord, and sought to do the right thing. God assured him that he would be blessed if he assumed that posture (Genesis 4:7).

However, instead of recognizing that he could learn a thing or two from his younger brother, he viciously murdered him. The callousness of Cain’s heart is evident in his answer to God’s question, “Where is your brother?” Spewing hatred and venom he retorted, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9).

...This article is continued on page 10 of the Premier Issue of Brush Arbor Quarterly.

Israel Wayne is the Marketing Director for Home School Digest. He is the author of the book, Homeschooling From A Biblical Worldview, an excellent resource which is available from Wisdom’s Gate. www.ChristianWorldview.net