THE FATHER WITH ENOUGH LOVE FOR ALL HIS CHILDREN
Sibling rivalry has quite a history in the Bible. It is as old as the first two children and resulted in the first murder. Cain and Abel were the first children of Adam and Eve. They both presented an offering to the Lord and Abel’s offering was acceptable but Cain’s was not accepted. This made Cain very angry, the account reads, “Cain was very angry and his face down cast. Then the LORD said to Cain ‘Why are you so angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right will you not be accepted?’” God was not rejecting Cain but having relationship with him, telling him that there was something wrong with his actions and that he should repent and be in proper relationship. Cain’s problem was not with his brother Abel at all. It was not his brother’s fault that his offering was not acceptable to the LORD. Cain needed to work this out with the LORD. Even express his anger to the LORD, at least he may have found an answer. The LORD was trying to talk to him. This is the first hint of a false religious spirit in the Bible, religious activity that is not really what God desires. Cain’s only real option would have been to get his heart right with God and then offer a sacrifice. But instead through rivalry he takes his anger out on his brother, “And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.” (Genesis 4:8)
In Genesis chapter 27 there is a story of Esau and Jacob. Esau being the elder, by tradition was supposed to receive a special blessing from his father. Through a scheme Jacob swindled his older brother out of this very important blessing. You can read all the details in Genesis chapter 27. Upon realizing what has happened Esau cries to his father, Isaac, “Bless me‑ me too… Haven’t you reserved any blessing for me?’ Isaac answered, ‘I have made him lord over you, so what can I possibly do for you my son?’ Esau said to his father, ‘Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me too my father!’ Then Esau wept.” This is a sad story of rivalry between two brothers, but also of a father with limited resources. Human parents try as hard as they can but they are still only human. It is quite common in most families for siblings to compete for the little bit of affection there is to be shared by all.
There are many more stories in the Old Testament with this theme of competition for the birth right. Old Testament themes are usually foreshadows of a greater reality. This brings me to a story told by Jesus, of two brothers and a father. The audience of Jesus is Jewish people who had been trying very hard to be worthy of their Father God’s blessing. Luke 15:11‑32, records the story; the younger son leaves home cutting off all relations with his family, a very disgraceful action in that culture. After failing miserably at his attempt to establish independence he returns home. To the disgust of the older brother the father welcomes the younger son with love and affection and a party. The older son is so envious and angry that he cannot contain himself. He will not accept his younger brother back and will not join in the party so the father goes out to him and pleads but the older son still refuses. The father says, “My son, you are always with me and everything I have is yours.” Truly this generous father has enough love for both of his sons! But this older son may not perceive the father as generous. Sadly this son begins the same rivalry as Cain and Able.
When our God bids us to come to him it is an invitation open to all. He is big enough and generous enough for all to have plenty. Look at some of the promises he has given us: Ephesians 1;3, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ, for he chose us in him… to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ.” “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us…”(1;7).
In the early Christian church there was also rivalry between Jews and Gentiles so he goes on to say, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,… For through him we both (Jews and Gentiles) have access to the Father by one Spirit.”(Ephesians 2;13‑18).
Sometimes I personally experience this rivalry in the form of envy when other people seem to get more recognition and I feel insignificant. But God always has the door open to me to come to him and find significance in his presence. If I do not find significance from him then of course I will always be envious of others. There is a peace that God desires for each of us to have in our hearts, our families, our church, and our communities. If we find ourselves feeling left out of God’s blessings we may need to come to him in humility and submit to his mercy. We may need to reflect on what it is that we consider a blessing. We may need to be thankful when others around us are blessed. We may need to spend some time coming into the presence of the One who blesses.
