We Are Our Brother's Keeper

"Then The LORD said to Cain, 'Where is your brother Abel?'  'I don't know,' he replied. 'Am I my brother's keeper?' "  Genesis 4:9 (NIV)

In this the first Book of Moses, this encounter is recorded between The Lord God and Cain, the eldest son of Adam and Eve.  This conversation occurred after Cain had killed his brother Abel.  The Lord God asked Cain a question regarding Abel's whereabouts, even though He already knew the answer.  Cain responded with a lie, and said that he didn't know.  Then he asked The Lord God a question, "Am I my brother's keeper?"

The Lord God did not answer Cain's question, but clearly the answer to the question was, yes, you are your brother's keeper.  This answer also applies to us today.  The use of the word "brother" here applies to more than just our biological brothers, it includes all of our brothers and sisters in Christ.  That we should care for our "brothers" is implied and stated in the teachings of Christ.  We should love one another, as He loved us, (John 13:34); we should love our neighbor as we love ourselves, (Matthew 22:39 and Mark 12:31); we should love our enemies, (Matthew 5:44 and Luke 6:27); we should pray for those that use us and who persecute us, (Matthew 5:44); and we should pray for one another (James 5:16)   Clearly, we are, or we should be our brother's keeper.  We should treat them as we would like to be treated. (Matthew 7:12 and Luke 6:31)