A Brother
And she again bare his brother Abel. Genesis 4.2
Read Genesis 4:2-4
Some people are mainly known because of the particular family they belong to. They may be the son of the owner of a corporation, or the granddaughter of royalty, or the brother of a prominent politician. The personal identity of such a person is sometimes not considered. Maybe you too must cope with this dilemma.
There are many people who stand in the shadow of someone else. This may be because the other person is more witty, better at conversation, or just more popular. Or this may have developed because of favouritism shown by parents. In any case, a person’s character may be injured deliberately or unintentionally, causing harm to the individual.
From his birth, Abel too had to go through life as the brother of…. His name says it all; it means something like insignificance or paltry. These descriptions probably had to do with his physique. Most likely he was not as robust as his brother Cain, who was welcomed by his mother with such enthusiasm, “I have received a man.” (Gen. 4:1)
However, man only looks at the outward appearance (1 Sam. 16:7). Cain has the dishonour of being the first murderer while his younger brother Abel has been given a place in the gallery of the Old Testament heroes of faith (Heb. 11:4). This happens more often. As the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:27, 29, “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise… so that no flesh should glory in his presence.” This truth is encouraging for those who have learned that they are weak and insignificant children of Adam.
Question: Do you judge others by their outward appearance or their character?
Psalter 48:1, 2, 3 (based on Psalm 22) All ye that fear Jehovah’s Name , His glory tell, His praise proclaim; Ye children of His chosen race, Stand ye in awe before His face, Stand ye in awe before His face. The suff’ring one He has not spurned Who unto Him for succor turned; From him He has not hid His face, But answered his request in grace, But answered his request in grace. O Lord, Thy goodness makes me raise Amid Thy people songs of praise; Before all them that fear Thee, now I worship Thee and pay my vow, I worship Thee and pay my vow.