Do good each other.

[The Four Stages Storytelling Sermon: Proposition-Problem analysis-Gospel presentation-Consequence]

 

 

Genesis 4:6-10 (Summary)

Do good each other.

 

A. We must live by doing good each other.

{If you do well, will you not be accepted?}(Verse 7).

God said to Cain, “If you do good, will you not be accepted?” In the text, ‘do good’(yatab) means ‘to treat well, to bless.’ God wants us to live according to the image of God, and love and bless to each other. The beauty of God's sight is to live well together. We should learn how to be happy together. This is the way to maintain God's order of creation.

 

B. The competition perspective is the problem.

{The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen?}(Verse 6).

Cain did well in his farming work. But it was not enough to offer sacrifices. Abel, on the other hand, was wanting in his livestock work, but he was a good worshipper. Cain was very competitive about Abel. So he began to hate his brother when he saw God receiving only Abel’s worship. Competition piles up hatred. He looked only at Abel in rivalry without thinking of looking back at himself. We must find a way to live well together.

 

C. We must have a mind to take care of the weak.

{Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?”}(Verse 9).

When God asked, “Where is your brother Abel?” Cain defended, “I do not know, Am I my brother’s keeper?” Here is an important message in Cain's defense. We should be the ones who keep each other. In this, ‘keep’(shamar) means ‘to take care, to protect.’ We must take care of each other with responsibility. “How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!”(Psalms 133:1). God called us community to take care of each other in love.

 

D. Those who live by doing good are blessed.

{“What have you done? Listen, your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground!}(Verse 10).

The competitive relationship had a bad result in the end. God said, “Your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground!” The cost of sin is bound to follow. Paul said “Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all”(Romans 12:17). “Love is not envious or boastful or arrogant”(1Corinthian 13:4). God surely bless those who do good.

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Text

Genesis 4:6-10 (NRSV)

6  The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen?

7  If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.”

8  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.

9  Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?”

10  And the Lord said, “What have you done? Listen; your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground!”