Favoritism or Blessings?

             If you are looking for a primer on how NOT to parent, look no further than Isaac and Rebekah in Genesis.  After 20 years of marriage, Rebekah gave birth to twin boys who began their battle while still in the womb.  Genesis 25: 28 explains how their parents added to the competitive nature of the boys’ relationship.

            “Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob” (NIV84).

            Favoritism was at the root of many of this family’s problems. God had promised Rebekah that both boys would be the father of a nation, but He also said that the older boy, Esau, would serve the younger, Jacob.  As you read on in Genesis, you find that once more a strong-willed woman decided to help God with His promise.  She and Jacob perpetrated a trick on Issac that forced him to give his blessing to Jacob rather than Esau.  As a result, the war between the boys became so intense that Jacob was forced to flee for his life.

            You can’t help but wonder if Rebekah ever regretted her trickery.  After all, it cost her a relationship with both boys.  When Jacob ran from his brother’s wrath, she was never to see him again.  Esau was so enraged by her deceit that he did everything he could to anger and disappoint his parents.

            Favoritism by parents or grandparents, or in my case, aunts, is never good.  Each one of these precious gifts is special in their own way.  We may relate to them in different ways or at different times in their lives, but we should always be accepting and loving, doing our best to bring out the best in each of them.

            Rather than taking lessons from Isaac and Rebekah, I suggest that we would be better served by praying blessings over each of the young lives that we are privileged to be a part of.  Here are a few Scriptures that you might want to pray over your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and all those other children out there who need someone to love and encourage them.

Numbers 6: 24 – 26            Psalm 121: 7 – 8                 II Corinthians 9:8

Joshua 1: 9                          Philippians 4: 19                Jeremiah 29:11

Micah 6:8                              Zephaniah 3: 17                  Isaiah 40: 31

            If you want to read more of Isaac and Rebekah’s story, you can find it in Genesis 24 – 28.

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