In 1787 a medallion was designed by Josiah Wedgwood which showed a kneeling slave in chains, and the motto: ‘Am I not a man and a brother?’ Cain had asked: ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ (Gen.4:9), implying the answer was ‘No’, but of course the answer is ‘Yes’.
- Ezek.35:4-6; Psalm 137:7. Note Deut.23:7.
- How we arrive at the sin of violence.
- v.10 – one thing will lead to another. See Matt.5:29-30.
- The sin of standing aloof.
- v.11. Prov.24:10-12. Standing aloof before known evil is sinful (James 4:17).
- The sin of gloating.
- vv.12-13a. The NIV has ‘look down’ in the sense of ‘despise’; the NKJV has ‘gaze on’. ‘Gloating’ is the idea – Psalm 22:17. It is a malicious looking upon someone who is struggling – Prov.24:17-18. And that is said about one’s enemy!
- Mark 3:5-6; 2 Cor.11:29.
- The sin of finally joining in.
- vv.13b-14. They came to laugh, and they stayed to loot.
- 2 Kings 25:4-7. Judah was guilty of great sins – idolatry, violence and immorality – but the Edomites’ response was cowardly and cruel. This is given as a warning to us as to how pride can take us one step at a time away from a brotherly treatment of others.