Favoritism – Genesis 25:28

Now Isaac loved Esau, because he had a taste for game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Rebekah started out well.  Adorned with natural beauty, imbued with a godly disposition, and chosen as the wife of a strong, wealthy man who loved her, her beginnings were indeed auspicious.

She displayed her fine character from our first meeting with her as she spoke with Abraham’s servant by the spring near her father’s home. Kindness was her instructor as she lowered her water jar so the man could drink. Helpfulness and service were her instincts as she drew water for his camels.  Hospitality was her natural response to his request for lodging.[1] Reverence for God and a desire to obey Him were her guides as she agreed to go to a foreign land, forgoing even a few last days with family, trusting that God had ordained the plan laid before her.[2]

In her youth, Rebekah conducted herself with kindness, graciousness, and obedience; however, she took a disastrous turn when she allowed her heart to elevate her son Jacob over his twin Esau.  She, along with Isaac who favored Esau, bred competition and disrespect between these brothers, and in her desperation to secure the best for her favorite, she connived to rob Esau of his father’s blessing.  Although Jacob got the coveted blessing, Rebekah’s victory came at a heavy price, resulting in Jacob’s banishment from his homeland and two decades of separation between these brothers.

We need not cause the type of dysfunction in our family as Rebekah did. Armed with instruction in God’s Word, we know better than to foolishly ignite the firestorm caused by parental favoritism.  For the Word teaches us that trouble follows ungodly behavior and that favoring one over another is foreign to God’s character.[3]  Further, the Word solemnly charges us to give favoritism no account, to keep it out of our decisions, and to refuse it the opportunity to poison our thinking.[4]

Recognize that favoritism results in ungodliness, and, therefore, guard against it. Watch, and should you be tempted to fall into it with your children or associates in any venue, cut it down at its roots. It is sin, and sin brings turmoil, even death, into relationships.[5]  Rather, love as Jesus taught us to love by treating each person with a tenderness born out of the abundant, unprejudiced love that flows from heaven’s eternal springs into the souls of those who faithfully walk with God.

[1] Genesis 24:15-25

[2] Genesis 24:50-58

[3] Romans 2:9-11

[4] 1 Timothy 5:21

[5] James 1:15