Two Brothers

“If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?” — Genesis 4:7

After they left the garden, Adam and Eve had two sons. The older one was called Cain, and the younger one was called Abel.

When the boys grew up, Abel became a shepherd and looked after sheep. Cain became a farmer and grew crops in the fields.

One day both brothers brought a gift to God. Cain brought some of the food he had grown. Abel brought the very best from his flock, the first lambs that had been born. God was pleased with Abel and his gift. But He was not pleased with Cain and his gift.

The Bible doesn’t tell us everything about why. But it does tell us that Abel gave his gift with faith (Hebrews 11:4), trusting God and wanting to give Him the best. It seems Cain’s heart was not like that.

Cain was very angry. His face went dark and sulky.

God came to Cain and spoke to him kindly. “Why are you angry?” God asked. “If you do what is right, won’t you be accepted too? But be careful. Sin is waiting at your door like a hungry animal, ready to pounce. You must not let it win.”

God was giving Cain a warning, and a chance to change. But Cain didn’t listen.

One day Cain said to his brother, “Let’s go out to the field.” And when they were out in the field, far away from everyone, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

Then God asked Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”

“I don’t know,” Cain lied. “Am I supposed to look after my brother?”

But God knew. “What have you done?” God said. Nothing can be hidden from God. Because of what he had done, Cain could no longer farm the land. He would have to wander from place to place.

Cain was frightened. “Someone will kill me,” he said.

And here is a surprising thing. Even though Cain had done something so terrible, God still took care of him. God put a mark on Cain, so that no one who found him would kill him.

It is a very sad story. It shows how quickly sin grows. It started with jealousy and anger in Cain’s heart, and it ended with a brother dead. That is why God warned Cain to stop sin while it was still at the door. And it also shows that God is good and fair, and kind even to people who don’t deserve it.

Looking ahead to Jesus: The Bible says that Jesus’ blood “speaks a better word than the blood of Abel” (Hebrews 12:24). Abel’s death called out for justice. Jesus died to bring forgiveness.

Read it in your Bible: Genesis 4:1–16

Dear God, when I feel jealous or angry, please help me to stop it before it grows. Thank you for your kindness, even when I don’t deserve it. Amen.