Study 6(d): ISAAC - The Error of Parental Favoritism - CHARACTER STUDY SERIES

ISAAC - The Error of Parental Favoritism - CHARACTER STUDY SERIES

In response to the prayer of faith, God blessed Isaac and his wife Rebekah with two sons that were twins -Esau and Jacob. "And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents. And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob." - Genesis 25:27-28

Isaac had a reason for loving Esau more than Jacob, and the reason was that he (Esau) satisfied his appetite for "bush meat". This is true of most fathers. They will prefer the spotty child who goes all out to bring into the home great booty to boast the image of the family regardless of the damage such ventures could do to the spiritual life of the child.

On the other hand, Rebekah, like any other mother, appreciated the homely disposition of Jacob because he was always at home to help out with domestic work: So, she loved Jacob better than Esau.

"And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:" - 1 Peter 1:17

With the affection of Isaac and Rebekah split over their children, inadvertently they created two opposing factions in the home. Unknown to Isaac and Rebekah, they gradually set the stage for bitter hatred between the only two children they had with each party always trying to undo the other. This trend continued unchecked until Isaac became so old that he could no longer see.

When it was time for Isaac to confer his blessings on the elder of his two sons, Esau, he desired of him the kind of meat that satisfied his age old appetite. While Esau was away hunting in the field, Rebekah plotted to have the blessings from Isaac for the one she loved: And that was Jacob. Read details in Genesis 27:5 - 17. Prior to this time, God had revealed the different kinds of men Esau and Jacob would be and who was going to be the greater of the two. (Genesis 25:22-26).

Read the foreknowledge of God and the fulfillment of prophecy. (Is it possible to change prophecy through a change in attitude? Consider the following bible examples. 2 Kings 20:1-6, Ezekiel 3:17-21.)

When God declares a thing, it is not in the position of anybody to help God fulfill his word. Rebekah was, blinded to this fact with her bias for Jacob. She plotted against Esau and in the process led Jacob to lie and deceive his aged father and cunningly stole Esau's blessings. Isaac on his part had not taken time to help Esau maintain his God given position as the first born in the family because of the venison he enjoyed in the hands of Esau.

The discrimination Isaac and Rebekah differently had for their sons led to bitter hatred of their sons for each other.

"And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee." - Genesis 27:42.

As Christian parents we should endeavor to love our children equally and strive to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4) Encourage them to grow in the virtues or strengths they have and help them overcome their weaknesses morally and spiritually and do not be blinded to their misdeeds because of the temporal benefits we derive from their talents or positions in life.

It is also unscriptural and unspiritual to try and help our children make any achievement in life through unrighteous and ungodly means: Let us always bear in mind that when we do this, we are sowing the seed of unrighteousness which will eventually grow and consequently produce sin, unrighteousness, wickedness and ungodliness in them. (Ephesians 5:21).

The hatred Esau eventually developed for his brother Jacob due to the discriminate parental favoritism did not show immediately but much later when Isaac was too old to change the situation. The same lesson stands for our children in the Lord (new converts). We must not withhold any truths that will lead them unto godliness, righteousness and sanctification. Titus 2:11-15, 1Timothy 4:6

"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertaine riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." - 1Timothy 6:17-19

MEMORY VERSE: "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6 "Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying." -Proverbs 22:18, Proverbs 22:15

- BLISS & FIRE NETWORK ©2009

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