I have two brothers, one older and one younger. I also have three sisters, two older and one younger. Growing up, we were the epitome of sibling rivalry. My oldest sister could bake like a baker and the other older sister could sew like a tailor. My oldest brother was skilled at bikes and cars. I was the perennial student. My youngest brother was a lover of dogs and a consummate hair puller. My youngest sister was happier and cuter than all of the rest of us put together.

There are two all important questions we must ask ourselves: the first is “Who is my brother?”, and the second is “Am I my brother’s keeper?”.

When Jesus was teaching one of the things he said was, Matthew 12: 48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

The answer to the second question comes from the book of Genesis 4: 9 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?

This is what God did: 10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood cries unto me from the ground.

11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand;

12 When thou tills the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.

13 And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear.

14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that finds me shall slay me.

15 And the Lord said unto him, Therefore, whosoever slays Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.

16 And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.

So, Cain became the first nomad, the first “wandering Jew.”

Another place that tells us we are all brothers is in Malachi 2: 10 Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?