A certain Favouritism (Family Tension)90 [Gen 25:27-34] / Anne's Faith Column

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A Certain Favouritism

 (Family Tension)90

 [Gen 25:27-34]

 

 / Anne's Faith Column 

 

/ By Priscilla

 

When Jacob and Esau grew up

and their personalities and

characters were revealed,

 

Isaac and Rebekah began to

show favoritism for each child

who resembled each other.

 

As a result, it was possible

to foresee another serious problem

that would arise in the near future

with the attitude of Jacob,

 

who emphasized the birthright

and Esau, who ignored

its value.

 

This is also an important lesson

that can happen in the nuclear

family today.

 

What was the first thing that

would happen, especially

in Jacob's family?

 

The problem was that Isaac

and Rebekah showed favoritism

for their children. 

(Gen 25:27-28)

 

The relationship between 

parents and children should

be complementary.

 

Family relationships can be

improved only when the 

relationships between 

wife and husband,

 

father and child, and mother

and child are mutually organic.

 

If we examine a trouble maker,

there is always a problematic

parent  behind.

 

Parents are completely 

responsible for the home 

education of their children.

 

If Isaac had loved

Jacob as much as Esau...

 

If Rebekah had loved Esau

the same as Jacob...

 

If the law of love had been applied

in God's providence, naturally,

the older would have served

the younger without any

grudges or problems.

 

Even though Rebekah received

the vision of Jacob, it is regrettable

that only Jacob,the youngest,

was educated to recognize

 

the importance and value of

inheritance through the birthright.

 

Obviously, there was a problem

with the eldest son, Esau, who

only went out hunting while

ignoring his birthright.

 

However, Jacob did not just

warmly hand over the lentil stew

made for his brother, but in a

mean way to get the birthright.

 

Jacob (a deceiver)  tried

to bargain boldly with the

purpose of taking Esau's

birthright,

 

using his hunger when he

returned from hunting.

 

His temper like this couldn't

avoid God's intervention.

 

In this way, there was a deal

where the older sold his birthright

for a bowl of lentil stew to

the younger.

 

In the end, they lost 

the amicable family bond

and ended up becoming

enemies of each other. 

 

This tells us that there was

a sense of incongruity and tension

in the relationship between

brothers as they grew up.

 

Even today, we examine whether

there are any accumulated

problems in the family,

 

and if there is a parental favoritism

for their children, we will have

to correct this first.

 

Through today's message,

we must face the need for an

attitude to recognize the common

responsibility of the whole family

 

and strive for reconciliation

if there is a sense of incongruity

between family members. 

 

In addition, considering the effect

that parents' habitual behaviors

and tendencies will have on

their children, we should

act more carefully.

 

As parents, it is their responsibility

to teach their children what t

hey should value.

 

So, as parents, how should we

respond and educate our children?

 

1) Don't compare your children

with each other!

 

Children should not be compared

to each other and should be

acknowledged for their

individual differences.

 

2) We must keep in mind that

favoritism should be absolutely

forbidden.

 

Therefore, it is necessary

to set aside time for family

fellowship every day

 

and also have a man - to -man

fellowship between parents

and children.

 

3) You must express enough

love for each and every

  member of your family.

 

You should not hide your

expression of love for each of them

so as not to be stubborn in

front of your children.

 

Prayer

 

Lord!

 

We know that the children the

Lord has granted us are not ours.

 

Please grant us wisdom that

we may nurture them well.

 

And please use our children

as Your instruments for good.

 

Please lead the whole family to

joyfully cooperate in Your

good work!

 

 

Amen.

 

- To Be Continue - 

 

 

2010/08/22

 

/ By Priscilla