Daily Devotions
Genesis
"Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble." Psalm 119:165
Text: Genesis 37:1-36
SIBLING RIVALRY PROBLEMS
It is not uncommon to see sibling rivalry in the family. Rivalry within reason is not altogether unhealthy. The sense of competition among siblings can spur the children to scale greater heights. Sibling rivalry however must be carefully watched, or disastrous negative consequences can result.
POSSIBLE TO OVERCOME SIBLING RIVALRY PROBLEM
It is possible for children to grow out of their sense of rivalry with each other. With the passing of time, with greater maturity, brothers can develop a powerful sense of affection for each other. The “family instinct” can prove to be a powerful asset! Parents play an important role in the way children learn to relate to each other.
WHEN PARENTS FAIL TO DO THEIR PART
If sibling rivalry is not checked, it can lead to disaster! Bad feelings can get out of hand! Jacob appeared oblivious to the sibling rivalry problems that existed among his children. He certainly did not help matters when he continued to shower special affection and attention on Joseph.
“Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children,
because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him
a tunic of many colours.
But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than
all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably
to him.” GENESIS 37:3-41. The problem of Paternal Love
Israel was father of twelve sons! Every son should have been loved dearly. Sadly, Israel just could not find it within himself to love all his sons equally.
2. Parental Love distinguished
Parental love is different from other forms of love. The affection felt among friends may be described as “mutual love”. Both sides must play their parts. Parental love must be different. It must be capable of unconditional love. Even if children are not easy to love, they still deserve parental love.
3. Some reasons why Israel didn’t love his children equally
It is possible that the evil deeds of his children at Shechem may have contributed to the lack of love he felt in his heart. It is also possible that the evil reports that Joseph gave to his father concerning his older brothers just made things worse!
These “reasons” caused Israel to favour his younger son, Joseph. He was not like his older brothers. He was probably too young to be part of the massacre and looting of the city of Shechem. In time, Israel differentiated Joseph from his brothers completely!