Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
There are famous examples of sibling hatred in the Bible:
(1) Cain's hatred of his brother Abel, which forever defines this deep-rooted feeling as cold-blooded murder if it runs its course (Gen. 4:8; it is the same principle as "road rage," but this was "garden rage"). Near the end of the Bible we find the same message as we found near its beginning: "Whosoever hateth his brother [her sister?] is a murderer" (1 John 3:15). Makes one tremble!
(2) Ishmael, "born after the flesh," wanted to persecute his brother Isaac, "the child of promise," "born after the Spirit" (Gal. 4:28-31).
(3) Esau wanted to kill his "younger" (by a few minutes) brother Jacob (Genesis 25), and face it, Jacob gave him what we would say was reason for his hatred.
(4) Jacob's ten sons hated Joseph and wanted to kill him or at least ruin his life by selling him into slavery (Genesis 37).
(5) David's older brother Eliab tried to make life miserable for him (1 Sam. 17:28). He despised his pure, honest, open hearted, youthful faith.
(6) Jeremiah's brothers despised his God-given ministry, "the house of [his] father," and added to the pain he was forced to endure (Jer. 12:6). If you want to follow Jesus, often the bitterest opposition you have to meet comes from your own family. May God give you grace to endure it with a Christlike spirit, as did Jeremiah!
(7) Finally, the Son of God Himself came, "Immanuel, … God with us," "born of a woman." He had siblings--at least six (four older step-brothers whose names are given, plus step-"sisters"; Matthew 13:55, 56). And they ridiculed Him (John 7:3-5). But here a bright light shines: Jesus won at least some of those unbelieving siblings (Acts 1:14). The victory didn't come until after His death, but it was worthwhile, wasn't it?
Well, let's thank Him for sharing what is one of the most painful experiences we humans endure!
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: May 12, 2001.
Copyright © 2011 by "Dial Daily Bread."
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