Much emphasis is placed on Abel as Cain’s brother. He was also a child of God. How do you react when someone kills your child? God goes to that murderer, not with direct punishment and judgment, but with conversation. Cain gets another chance. God wants to bring him to his senses. He has no joy in the sinner’s death (Ezekiel 18:23). God offers an opportunity to break the vicious circle of hatred and violence. Cain should break free from the bondage of evil. And therefor God asks: where is Abel? Not that he does not know. He had just received Abel’s spirit in heaven.
9 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?”