The LORD's Inquiry:

The account of the LORD's inquiry into Cain's actions is found in Genesis 4:9-10. After Cain murdered his brother Abel, the LORD approached Cain with a question: "Where is your brother Abel?" (Genesis 4:9). This inquiry was not due to a lack of knowledge on God's part but served as a divine opportunity for Cain to confess and repent. The question mirrors God's earlier inquiry to Adam in Genesis 3:9, "Where are you?" highlighting God's consistent approach in seeking accountability from His creation.

Cain's response, "I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?" (Genesis 4:9), reveals his defiance and lack of remorse. This rhetorical question underscores Cain's attempt to evade responsibility for his brother's welfare, contrasting sharply with the biblical principle of loving and caring for one's neighbor (Leviticus 19:18).

The LORD's inquiry further emphasizes the sanctity of human life and the seriousness of murder. God's question is a call to self-examination and acknowledgment of sin, reflecting His desire for repentance and restoration.

Cain's Punishment:

Following the inquiry, the LORD pronounced judgment on Cain for his sin. In Genesis 4:10-12, God declared, "What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground. Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield to you its strength. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth" .

Cain's punishment was multifaceted. First, he was cursed and banished from the ground, indicating a severance from the land that had previously provided sustenance. This curse reflects the gravity of shedding innocent blood, as the earth itself bore witness to Abel's murder. The ground, which had been cursed due to Adam's sin (Genesis 3:17), now held a deeper curse for Cain, symbolizing the consequences of his actions.

Second, Cain was condemned to be a "fugitive and a wanderer," highlighting the loss of stability and community. This aspect of the punishment underscores the relational rupture caused by sin, as Cain was alienated from both God and humanity.

Despite the severity of the punishment, God's mercy is evident. In Genesis 4:15, the LORD placed a mark on Cain to protect him from being killed by others, demonstrating God's continued care even in judgment. This mark served as a sign of divine protection, ensuring that vengeance would not be taken upon Cain, thus upholding the principle that vengeance belongs to the LORD (Deuteronomy 32:35).

Cain's punishment serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of repentance. It illustrates the balance of justice and mercy in God's dealings with humanity, as well as the enduring call to accountability and reconciliation with God and others.