Am I My Brother's Keeper?

(Cain:)  “Am I my brother’s keeper?” said the firstborn son of man,

 “Must I tend and guard and lead him?  Must I serve him as I can?

Am I required to sacrifice and to forfeit time and wealth

That my brother may have clothes and food and life and joy and health?”  (Gen 4:9)

(The Father:)  “Sin is crouching at your doorstep,” said the Father’s love divine,

“It will soon become your master; you will be no longer Mine.

It will summon strong My righteous wrath; it will cast you out alone

When your brother’s righteous blood cries out for vengeance from My throne.”  (Gen 4:6)

(The Savior:)  “I am my brother’s keeper,” said the Firstborn of the Lord,

“I will tend and guard and lead him on the pastures of My word;

I will sacrifice Myself for him; I will give up all I own

That my brother may have life with Me and share My royal throne!”  (Jn 10:11)

(My soul:)  If my eyes behold my Savior, if the Lamb says, “Follow Me,”

But my brother does not know Him, does not hear His tender plea,

Shall I not go and search him out and invite him: “Come and see”?

Shall I not bring him to the One who died to set him free?  (Jn 1:43-46)

If my brother is o’ertaken and is caught in Satan’s snare,

Shall my spirit not be gentle and my words be full of care?

If the world in heartless rage and wrath cast upon him spite and stone,

Let me bear my brother’s burden as my Savior bore my own!  (Gal 6:1-2)

(The Savior:)  “You were your brother’s keeper,” says the Lord on Judgment Day,

“You did tend and guard and lead him; you did help him on his way;

You did sacrifice yourself for him; you did clothe and cheer and feed;

What you did for this My brother here, you have done for Me indeed.”  (Mt 25:40)

From Israel's Camp There Comes a Sound

God the Holy Spirit works through the words of Scripture to accomplish two things.  First, through the word of the Law, He exposes our utter corruption and our lost condition, so that we are able to see our complete failure to love and obey God as we should.  The preaching of the Law "kills" us, that is, it convicts us of offenses against God and declares to us God's just judgment that all who do such things are worthy of eternal death and damnation.  Having been thus slain by the Law, our hearts are eager to hear God's Gospel message, which declares to us God's love and forgiveness in Christ.

The imagery in this hymn is drawn from Exodus 32 (Israel worshiping the golden calf) and Hebrews 4:12 (God's word--sharper than a two-edge sword).  In it we are invited to zealously use God's Law to show worldly sinners their sin, so that we may then share with them the saving message of the Gospel.

This hymn may be sung to the melody that is called "Kingsfold," which is used for hymns 481 and 520 in Christian Worship.

From Israel's camp there comes a sound –

   What is this that I hear?

Is it the victor’s shout of joy?

   Is it a cry of fear?

No, from this throng there comes a song,

   But not a hymn’s refrain –

It is a song of godless hearts,

   Of evil unrestrained.

How sad, that here in Israel's ranks
   This pagan song is heard.

Have these not seen Your works, O Lord,

   Or heard Your gracious word?

Alas!  The world has drawn them in,

   Deceived them with its lies!

Their actions shame their Savior’s name

   Before the worldling’s eyes.

Who is there now who’s for the Lord?

   Come, gather at my side!

Put on the Spirit’s sword with me,

   And wield it now with pride.

As stalwart sons of Levi, slay

   The faithless hearts of men

That they may be raised up with Christ

   To serve their God again.

The Spirit’s sword is God’s own word,

   That mighty, living fire,

Far sharper than a two-edged blade

   To pierce each thought’s desire,

To strip away each vain pretense,

   Each self-deceiving lie,

And show the soul its fearful state

   Before God’s throne on high.

God’s word is death and fiery wrath

   To those who savor sin,

But joy and everlasting life

   To all who come within

The warm embrace of God’s sweet grace,

   Forgiven through His Son,

He who abides at Jesus’ side

   Eternal life has won.

The Glory of Jesus Was Manifest First

The message of Jesus' words is always one of hope and joy for those who receive Him in faith.  But Jesus' words are not mere kindly sentiments; they are authoritative.  They are spoken, written power.  His words are the words of a God who is not only kindly in heart, but kindly in power and action.

This truth is seen most clearly in those miracles where Jesus gave a simple command and nature's course was altered to bless and save His own.  This hymn pictures several of these miraculous events.

To listen to the melody, click here.


1.  The glory of Jesus was manifest first
     In changing of water to wine;
Creation and all of its forces obeyed
     And bowed to His power divine.

Come, look!  Come see what Jesus has done!
     Look now, what manner of man
Can do these wonders that Jesus performs?
     Behold!  Our God is at hand!

2. The man at the pool of Bethesda lost hope

     As others were strengthened and cured;

No helper to lift him or come to his aid,

     Till Jesus approached with this word:

“Stand up!  Take up your bedding and walk!

     Take heart!  Your Helper is here!

Today your Savior lifts body and soul --

     Now walk and serve Him with fear!”

3. While tempest and tumult beat bulwark and bow,

     The Savior lay down in repose;

His panicked disciples said,  “Lord, don’t You care?”

     The Master, responding, arose:

“Be still, My sea!  Be still, My waves!

     You winds, be peaceful and calm!

 These fearful men are My treasure and care –

     I bear their life in My palm!” 

     

4. “Jairus’ young daughter is sleeping,” He said.

     The mourners did not understand.

They laughed as He went to her side in her room

     And tenderly lifted her hand:

“Wake up!  Wake up!  Arise, little girl!

     Leave death, that sadness so drear!

This bed of darkness surrenders to Light!

      A bright new morning is here!”

5. The weeping of Mary and Martha was shared

     By Jesus at Lazarus’ tomb;

The sisters in wonder His glory beheld

     When Jesus called out through the gloom:

“Come forth, dear friend!  Come forth from your grave!

     Give hope and promise and cheer!

For those weighed down by parting and pain

     The Resurrection is near!”


6.  So many more miracles, wonders, and signs
     Our Savior performed in His day
That, were they all written, great volumes would fill,
     But these for your faith are portrayed.

Amazing pow'r!  We marvel in awe
     As marveled multitudes then
And give to Jesus all glory and praise
     Who shared God's power with men.

Eternal Word

Among the most awe-inspiring passages of Scripture is the beginning of John's Gospel:  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...."  Here is something far beyond our ability to grasp and understand.  All of history, from beginning to end, proceeds from and is centered in Christ, the Word.

Not only was the Word the Creator of all things; He is also God's Chosen One to accomplish the salvation of mankind, and the One through Whom the great final judgment will be rendered.

This hymn attempts to express the adoring Christian's awe in reflecting on these unfathomable truths.  Its minor key and etherial chanting tones communicate awe, wonder, and worshipful adoration.  Click here to listen to the melody.  Click here to view the musical score.


Eternal Word,
Through whom the world
   And all that is, was made;
To You the stars
In morning sang
   When earth's foundations were laid.

Redeeming Word,
Incarnate Lord,
   O Full of Truth and Grace,
In You alone,
Dear Cornerstone,
    Salvation finds its place.

God's final Word,
In judgment, Lord,
   On clouds You shall appear;
We lift our eyes,
For from the skies
   Redemption soon draws near.