Family

THE DEMON TO CHASE IN A FAMILY

by Dare Abioro
02/12/14
Not For Sale
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THE DEMON TO CHASE IN A FAMILY

God’s plan for every family is great and unimaginable; everyone is born into a family either rich or poor. God wants every family to stay united and strong in order to execute His plan on the surface of the earth.

Genesis 37: Tells the story of Jacob, the Patriarch and his family.  Jacob had 12 sons who later became a mighty nation. Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons because he had been born to him in his old age and he made a richly ornamented robe but Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them. As a result of this he was hated with passion to the extent that they could not speak a kind word to him.

It is good to show affection and parental care but parental favoritism should be avoided lest division and unhealthy struggle amongst the family member. Most robes were knee length, short-sleeved and plain. In contrast, Joseph’s robe was probably of the kind worn by royalty – long sleeved, ankle length and colorful. The robe became a symbol of Jacob’s father favoritism towards Joseph and it’s aggravated the already strained relationship between him and his brothers. Favoritism in families may be unavoidable but it’s divisive effects should be minimized. Parents may not be able to change their feelings towards favorite child but they can change their actions towards the others. Little did Jacob know that favoritism showed to Joseph would cause the family to be in disarray. Parental favoritism may lead to hatred if not properly handled. Joseph was hated by is brothers so they sought to kill him.

Remember Jacob was a supplanter, he also lied to his father Isaac to receive the blessing that was rightfully belong to his brother Esau. History has also replayed itself, what happened between Jacob and his brother Esau repeated itself in Jacob’s family. Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the open country while Jacob was quiet staying among the tent. Isaac who had a taste for wild game loved Esau but Rebecca loved Jacob. When Rebecca learnt  that Isaac was preparing to bless Esau, she quickly devised a plan to trick him into blessing Jacob instead. Although God had already told her that Jacob would became the family leader. Rebecca took matters into her own hand she retorted to doing something wrong to try to bring about what God had already said would happen. Jacob paid a huge price for carrying out his mother dishonest plan. Although Jacob got the blessing deceiving his father cost him dearly. These are some of the consequences of that deceit:

1. He never saw his mother again

2. His brother wanted to kill him                                

3. He was deceived by his uncle Laban

4. His family became torn by strife

5. Esau became the founder of an enemy nation

6. He was exiled from his family for years.

Ironically, Jacob would have received the birth right and blessing anyway. Imagine how different his life would have been had he and his mother waited for God to work his way in time.

Proverb 10:12.Hatred stirs up strife,but love covers all sins.

Where there is hatred all kinds of evils manifest. It is time to chase the demon called parental favoritism in our family. Love is the greatest. Parents should pray to God for divine wisdom to manage their homes.