This question is asked by Cain regarding the disappearance of his brother, Abel in Genesis 4:9. Cain has killed his brother out of jealousy and anger and doesn't want to have to answer to God for his sin.
The answer to the question is basically implied by God but is clarified as the scriptures unfold through the centuries.
Most of us remember the story of the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah: Jacob and Esau. Esau, the first-born is eventually taken advantage of and then deceived by his younger brother, Jacob. Esau naturally becomes vehemently angry with his brother with intentions of killing him [echoes of Cain and Abel].
With intentions of saving Jacob, Isaac sends him back to the distant homeland of Rebekah to find a wife. He is gone for twenty years and acquires - through much mistreatment by his father-in-law, Laban - two wives, a large family, and great wealth in flocks and servants.
God instructs him to return to his own homeland near Gilead in Canaan. He returns in terrifying fear of his brother, Esau. However, the meeting with Esau goes remarkably well. It seems that over the years, God has softened his heart toward his brother. He also has assimilated a sizeable wealth of his own in flocks and herds.
After this initial greeting, we read of no other collaborating between the brothers until the end of chapter 35, when Isaac dies. Esau and Jacob come together to bury their father.
As we continue to read through the Old Testament, we discover that the descendants of Esau become known as Edomites [Edom = red - possibly because of Esau's red hair or the red stew he traded his birthright for]. They settle in the land to the southeast of Canaan [eventually Israel], a mountainous region.
The history between these two nations - Israel and Edom - is troubled. Edom watches all the troubles that Israel experiences without ever stepping in to help!
Jacob [eventually renamed, Israel] has twelve sons who become the twelve tribes of Israel. Esau's descendants seem to live on with the bitterness cultivated in the early years of their forebears.
Those who know the history of Israel as revealed in the Old Testament will remember the inconsistency of Israel's development. Sometimes faithful and obedient; other times rebellious and obstinate. Eventually the nation is divided into two kingdoms: the northern tribes (known as Israel and eventually Samaria) and the southern tribes (known as Judah). After centuries of trying to form them into a righteous force in the world, God ultimately allows them both to fall to foreign oppressors: Israel to the Assyrians in 722 B.C. and Judah to the Babylonians in 586 B.C.
After the prophesied time has elapsed, Israel is allowed to return and rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. However, regression occurs, and the Old Testament ends with several hundred years of silence.
But, the story of animosity between these brothers is picked up by God through a prophet named Obadiah. The dating of this one-chapter, Old Testament, minor prophet is debated since he failed to mention any clearly identifiable events in his writing. Scholarly best guesses date the writing around 848 B.C. [about the time of the prophet Elijah].
Obadiah's message to Edom is full of doom! A sample (TM):
Your world will collapse!
You thought you were safe in your mountains. But I'll bring you down! Your friends will become your enemies! Your heroes will desert you! All because of your murderous history against your brother, Jacob. You'll be looked down on by everyone. You let strangers take your brother into exile. Foreigners invaded Jerusalem - and you watched. You gloated over your brother when he was down-and-out.
Ironically, the Edomites died helping to defend Israel in A.D.70 and were never heard of again.
The answer is 'Yes'. Yes, we are our brother's keeper! We are not to gloat over, ignore or instigate trouble for our brother. We are to stand together and defend one another!
But the bigger picture involves nations as well as siblings! Common roots mean common loyalties.
God has given His answer through this biblical revelation. How different history could have been if Edom had rushed to the aid of his brother, Israel!
Sibling rivalry surfaces in every home with more than one child.
ACTION POINTS:
- If you are distant from your siblings, reach out to reconcile! This would be pleasing to God!
- If you are still raising (or able to influence) your children,
- pray for them to love one another and bless one another,
- use your influence to encourage them to support and defend one another.
- model appropriate relations with your own siblings!
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