Cain and Able: Sibling Rivalry and Conflict

The second major story in the Bible deals with Cain and Able, the first two sons of Adam and Eve. Eve hadn't got the family off to a good start after eating the forbidden fruit in Genesis 3. Now, in Genesis 4, Cain and Able performed separate duties on the land. While Cain was commanded to work the fields, Able was left to tend for the livestock. When they both offered sacrifices to God, the Lord looked more favorably on Able for his sacrifice of animal fat. This caused Cain, being the first born, to be consumed with jealousy. Even when God ensured him that his sacrifices were still sufficient, Cain couldn't stand to see his brother more successful than him and killed Able in a field.

Now, when we talk about conflicts with our siblings today, we're rarely ever mad enough to actually kill them. For example, my brother, Ryan, always knows how to get on my last nerve, but that doesn't mean I want to cause him harm. We are uber competitive about everything. Who has better grades (Ryan is a Frosh at Dunbar MSTC), who gets which chores, who gets which side of the back seat. The list goes on and on. Most of it usually ends in an intense argument broken up by or parents. Still, at the end of the day, we're always there for each other and, although we don't like to admit it, we want to see each other succeed. I think that's why we do so well in school. We're constantly pushing each other to be successful in whatever we do. That's what true brotherhood is all about.

Speaking of brothers pushing each other, I included a cartoon of the Manning Bros., who have combined for 3 Super Bowls during their accomplished careers for the Giants and Colts (now Broncos) respectively. The cartoon comes from Ed Murawinski of the New York Daily News as part of an article leading up to Manning Bowl III this weekend, when the Giants and Broncos face off in Week 2 of the NFL Regular Season.