Favoritism: December 27, 2012

TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER 27, 2012.

FAVORITISM

DEFINITION: 

Showing partiality to one person over another; preference.

SCRIPTURE:

My brothers, as believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. James 2:1.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Genesis 27 contains an ugly portrait of parental favoritism. This kind of favoritism is prevalent in families today. We read in this chapter that Isaac favored Esau and Rebecca, Isaac's wife, favored Jacob. Romans chapter 9 points out to us that even before Jacob and Esau were born, God chose Jacob to carry on the covenant line of Abraham. God had also informed Isaac and Rebecca that "the older will serve the younger." (25:23)

Although Rebecca was well aware of God's promise, she would not refrain from allowing her feelings of favoritism toward Jacob to motivate her to take action. She schemed with Jacob to deceive Isaac, who was nearly blind, by disguising Jacob as Esau so that Isaac would give the blessing, which was to be given to the first-born, to Jacob instead of Esau. Rebecca's scheming to advance Jacob was both foolish and wrong. She was wrong to resort to deceit and make her son, Jacob part of it. She was foolish to think that God needed her help to accomplish His purpose and fulfill His promises. God does not need our help in carrying out His plans.

We ask you this question regarding this Biblical account: Who was at fault, the parents or the children?  Rebecca had no reason to lie and cheat to gain what she wanted. In choosing deceit, Rebecca so provoked Esau's hostility that Jacob, her favorite, was forced to flee and leave home. All that her conniving did was to divide the family and deprive her of her son for twenty years. The lesson we can learn from this is that "Ends never justify adopting sinful means."

To complete the story it is recorded in Chapter 27 verse 33 that Isaac realized he had been tricked concerning his inheritance. He favored Esau, but he also knew that God had chosen Jacob. Nevertheless, Isaac tried to meddle with God's promise for Jacob. Isaac intended that Esau should have the blessing. When Isaac knew what had happened he began to shake violently, because he realized that he had tried to change God's plan but God had intervened to prevent it. So Isaac submitted to God's will and bestowed his blessing upon Jacob. Isaac could not change what had been done even though Esau asked for a blessing of his own. It is the parent's responsibility to counsel and guide their children in doing what is right.

As parents we need to treat all of our children equally and as children we need to respond to our parents the same way. Favoritism never works out for the good.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:14.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.

PRAYER:

Help me to learn from the Biblical account of Isaac, Rebecca, Esau and Jacob. Help me to treat all of my children equally so that they feel equally loved. Keep me sensitive to other people's feelings as well, so that at all times I treat people equally and fairly.