Monday of Week 6 – Genesis 4:1-15,25; Mark 8:11-13

When we respond to evil with more evil, it only increases the amount of evil in the world.

‘Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.’ And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him.

Why did God defend a murderer? Certainly, to plug the dam holding back evil. Because if a person’s response to evil is yet more evil, then the amount of evil polluting the world increases. Even if someone explains to themselves that it’s an evil in defence of good . . .

It is an important pointer . . . and for us: sometimes being prone radicalism. In valuing and judging but now not faithfully holding on to the Gospel which commands evil not to be replayed with evil.

But there is probably more to God’s protection of Cain. Perhaps it’s about sparing Cain the terror of being like a hunted animal; that constant fear for your life. In God’s eyes, the murderer does not stop being a person. This is really important for those who are afraid that that they can only expect God’s furious revenge for their sin . . . Even in the murderer He sees a person . . .

O God, I pray in the words of the young king Solomon, give me an understand heart and to be able to discern good from evil.