人类历史中的第一个杀人犯，是亚当的儿子该隐，然而他不肯承认自己所犯的罪。纵使神给他机会，纵然神拿着流血的证据当面质疑他，该隐仍然什么也不肯承认。
“你的兄弟在哪里？”神问了他一个非常简单的问题，该隐却回答说，守护弟弟并不是他的责任。这个刚刚杀了自己兄弟的该隐，竟然对无所不知的神撒谎：“我不知道他在哪里”。其实，该隐当然知道他在哪里杀了亚伯。
该隐似乎认为他仍然会得到神的保护。他没有承认自己的罪，甚至也没有任何忏悔的意思，但却认为要他受咒诅流离漂荡，是不公平的。他埋怨神说：“以致不见你的面”。其实这话也不是真的，因为神随即便应许说必会保护他。
站在血迹斑斑的土地上，他仍然宣称自己没有犯罪。事实终归是事实，该隐欺哄不了任何人，他只是自已掩耳盗铃而已。
我们是否也在欺哄自已，而不认罪悔改呢？我们有责任看守我们的弟兄吗？
主啊，从亘古开始，祢从不容忍罪恶。因着堕落的人性，我们总以为我们犯罪不干祢的事。父啊，求祢不要放过我们，帮助我们看到自己的愚昧，并且回转归向祢。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。
创世记 4:2-16
2又生了该隐的兄弟亚伯。亚伯是牧羊的；该隐是种地的。
3有一日，该隐拿地里的出产为供物献给耶和华；
4亚伯也将他羊群中头生的和羊的脂油献上。耶和华看中了亚伯和他的供物，
5只是看不中该隐和他的供物。该隐就大大地发怒，变了脸色。
6耶和华对该隐说：“你为什么发怒呢？你为什么变了脸色呢？
7你若行得好，岂不蒙悦纳？你若行得不好，罪就伏在门前。它必恋慕你，你却要制伏它。”
8该隐与他兄弟亚伯说话；二人正在田间。该隐起来打他兄弟亚伯，把他杀了。
9耶和华对该隐说：“你兄弟亚伯在哪里？”他说：“我不知道！我岂是看守我兄弟的吗？”
10耶和华说：“你做了什么事呢？你兄弟的血有声音从地里向我哀告。
11地开了口，从你手里接受你兄弟的血。现在你必从这地受咒诅。
12你种地，地不再给你效力；你必流离飘荡在地上。”
13该隐对耶和华说：“我的刑罚太重，过于我所能当的。
14你如今赶逐我离开这地，以致不见你面；我必流离飘荡在地上，凡遇见我的必杀我。”
15耶和华对他说：“凡杀该隐的，必遭报七倍。”耶和华就给该隐立一个记号，免得人遇见他就杀他。
16于是该隐离开耶和华的面，去住在伊甸东边挪得之地。
"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
Let's consider the case of the original murderer: Cain, the son of Adam. Cain admitted nothing. Cain confessed nothing. Even when given the specific opportunity, even when confronted by God himself with the evidence of his brother Abel's blood on the ground, Cain admitted nothing.
"Where is your brother?" was God's simple question, and Cain answered that he had no responsibility to keep his brother from harm. This was the response of the man who had just murdered that brother.
To the God who knows all, Cain lied: "I don't know where he is." But of course Cain knew where he had left Abel dead.
And did you notice that Cain seems to have thought he should still have God's protection? Without confessing his sin, or even being sorry for it, Cain thought it was unfair that he should be a cursed wanderer. He complained to God, "I will be hidden from your presence." But even that wasn't true, as God made clear to him.
Standing in that blood-stained field, claiming to be without sin, Cain deceived no one but himself.
Are we deceiving ourselves? Are we repentant? Are we our brother's keeper?
From the beginning, Lord, it has been your way not to leave sin unchallenged. And it has been our fallen human way to act like it's none of your business. Keep after us, Father. Help us to see our foolishness and turn back to you. Amen.
诵读: 楚云
片头: 张妙阳
