God gave Cain the opportunity to correct what was wrong with the offering he had brought. He urged Cain to turn away from the sin that was lurking at his door.
Sadly, like many of our own acts of disobedience, Cain chose to resist God in preference to his own will.
Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him (Genesis 4:8).
In 2024, there were 147 homicides in Kansas City, and 11 more have already occurred in 2025. This means 158 funerals have taken place because someone chose not to resist the sin lurking at the door of their heart.
The readers of my blog may not be murderers, but we all face a daily choice: to listen to the voice of the Lord or to follow the self-centered desires that pull us toward sin.
As we see in this account and in our own life experiences, it is always wise to listen to and follow the voice of God’s Spirit.
Innocent Blood
The interaction between God and Cain is so rich with meaning that it has inspired countless books and dramas.
Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?”
And the Lord said, “What have you done? Listen, your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground!” (Genesis 4:9-10).
“Am I my brother’s keeper?” can be seen as either a genuine question or an excuse. As a question, it parallels the reasoning of the religious leader who asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29).
This question prompts us to consider the extent of our responsibility toward others. It is not merely an intellectual exercise but a call to action, where our attitudes are revealed through what we do.
When Cain asked, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” he was not expressing genuine curiosity. Instead, he was attempting to justify his actions.
God responded by telling Cain that the shed blood of his brother was crying to Him from the ground.
Whether it is bloodshed on the streets of Kansas City or across the globe, the blood of every individual cries out to God for justice. Consider the staggering statistics from the three major wars currently unfolding.
- Ukraine and Russia Conflict:
It is estimated that there are 1.2 million casualties between Russia and Ukraine. This includes both dead and wounded humans.
The United Nations reports that 12,340 Ukrainian citizens have been killed in the war.
- Israel and Hamas Conflict:
Some 46,006 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began on October 7, 2023.
On the Israeli side, approximately 1,200 individuals were killed during the initial Hamas attacks. There are no current numbers for the soldiers who have been killed during the year-long war.
- Sudan Conflict:
It is estimated that the conflict between warring parties in Sudan has resulted in approximately 150,000 deaths. The war has displaced 30% of the population – most within the country and nearly 3 million to neighboring countries.
It is noteworthy that Russia has been accused of supplying weapons to both sides of the conflict.
Additionally, the United Arab Emirates is reportedly providing financial support to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group fighting against the government, thereby intensifying this tragic humanitarian crisis.
The Curse
The shedding of innocent blood results in a curse.
And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.
When you till the ground, it will no longer yield to you its strength; you will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth” (Genesis 4:11-12).
While Cain was cursed from the ground, entire populations are cursed because of the evil of war. Consider the impact of war in Ukraine. I expect that similar statistics can be found for other conflicts.
- Air, Water, and Soil Pollution:
Explosions, fires, and the destruction of industrial facilities have contaminated air, water, and soil with hazardous chemicals, posing significant health risks to the population.
- Forest Devastation:
Approximately 425,000 hectares are now contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance, making restoration efforts perilous and time-consuming.
- Water System Disruptions:
The destruction of critical infrastructure, such as the Kakhovka Dam, has caused significant flooding, contaminating water supplies with pollutants and leading to long-term ecological consequences.
- Agricultural Impact:
The contamination of soil and water resources has rendered large areas unsuitable for agriculture. The presence of unexploded ordnance and pollutants hampers farming activities, threatening food security and the livelihoods of local communities.
A Burden Too Great
Cain failed to acknowledge the impact of his sin on Abel, which led to his brother’s death. Instead, he complained to God that the punishment for his crime of murder was too severe.
Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear! Today you have driven me away from the soil, and I shall be hidden from your face; I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and anyone who meets me may kill me” (Genesis 4:13-14).
It has been reported that a Hamas leader sought assurances from the Israeli government that he would not be targeted for assassination if Hamas entered negotiations to end the war. Ironically, an individual responsible for initiating a conflict that has caused untold suffering seeks to avoid facing the consequences of his actions.
Cain sought mercy from God all the while giving unfair judgment to his brother. God’s grace is revealed in his response to Cain’s plea for a lesser sentence.
Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! Whoever kills Cain will suffer a sevenfold vengeance.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, so that no one who came upon him would kill him.
Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden (Genesis 4:15-16).
God protected Cain with a promise and an action (a mark) that protected him.
Noteworthy, is the fact that “Cain went away from the presence of the Lord.” In the midst of God’s abundant grace, we find that sin separates humans from nearness to God.
Please join me in praying for God’s mercy upon our world. As humanity continues to mirror Cain’s actions, let us ask God to extend His mercy to us, guiding us to turn to Him and follow His ways.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 