Genesis 4:6
And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth?
and why is thy countenance fallen?
Domestic violence is a real problem; it begins with anger. Often, the first victims are family members or those we love.
Cain, a farmer, brought before God the first fruits of his crops and offered them as a sacrifice. Abel was a herdsman and brought a sacrifice to God from the best of his flocks.
Both men presented God with a grand sacrifice. However, God found one
sacrifice acceptable and the other unacceptable. God showed respect to Abel's sacrifice and received it while rejecting Cain's.
God explained to Cain that he had no real reason to be upset. If he came before God in the same way,
His work could be blessed too. He warned him in verse 7 to beware because the presence of evil was waiting for an opportunity to seize him. He was warned to be on guard.
Rather than reorder his sacrifice and make himself more acceptable to God, Cain lured Abel to an open field, talked with him for a while, and then killed him. In the aftermath, Cain tried to hide his sin from God, who asked, "Where is Abel thy brother? Cain answered God's question with a question: "Am I my brother’s keeper?"
Thus, Cain became the first murderer. Abel, his victim, was his own brother, whose crime was that he was hardworking and humble and presented his best self to God, and it was accepted. Cain remained unrepentant and a marked man for the rest of his life, just as his descendants were after him.
The faithful are called to be our brother's keepers, not his assailants. Without the love of the Savior in our hearts, responding with love is easier said than done.
Black Perspective
African Americans must focus on the importance of fostering a loving and supportive community, rejecting violence, and embracing the responsibility of being our brother's keeper. By doing so, we can work together to build a stronger, more harmonious community that celebrates the success and well-being of all its members.
Violence and harm should never be our response to differences or disputes. Rather, we should respond with love, understanding, and a willingness to resolve conflicts peacefully. This is a core principle of building a stronger, more resilient community.