Culture of Justiceنموونە

A clear biblical instance of one human dehumanizing another occurred when Cain murdered his brother, Abel. 

They had just brought their offerings to the Lord, Cain laying down fruit from his farm, Abel laying down the firstborn sheep from his flock. An act of worship to their creator and sustainer. 

The Lord looked favorably on Abel’s sacrifice but not on Cain’s. At seeing Cain’s disgruntlement, God tried to calm the toil in his heart, “Why are you angry? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” 

The words were not received. Full of jealousy, Cain responded with violent anger, taking his brother’s life. He then pretended that he’d committed no wrong.   

The Lord cried out: “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground.”

The account of Cain and Abel is a lesson in jealousy and bitterness, but it also teaches us the effects of dehumanization. 

How could the older brother - after spending time worshiping and seeking the Lord’s favor - become so estranged from his younger sibling that he would slay his own flesh and blood? What beliefs, deceptions, and actions led Cain so astray? 

At some point in the story, Cain decided in his heart that his brother’s life was not worthy of protection, of honor. His own arrogance and contempt deceived him into a dark depiction of his brother: Abel, the younger, was not as good as Cain. Abel was less experienced, less knowledgeable, less than. He did not deserve prestige. 

The Lord knew the thoughts in Cain’s mind. He knew the evil that the older brother was capable of. He knew what could happen if those things were left unchecked. Sin is crouching at the door...you must rule over it. 

Cain’s defiance of God’s warning led to his own demise. 

That seed of hatred planted in Cain’s heart still grows today – when those meant to protect lives take them. When you think about a police officer kneeling on the neck of a black man until he suffocates, do you hear God’s cry? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground.

Reflection: 

Does racial injustice feel far removed from your own life or deeply connected with it? When being completely honest with yourself, how much have you disengaged with this issue because it hasn’t directly impacted you? Have you ever looked down on someone else who was different from yourself?