Playing Favorites

Playing Favorites

Rebekah

Read: Genesis 25:19-28

Maria looked at the birthday card propped up on her mother’s mantel. No surprise there, she thought. Maria’s card to her mom lay in the pile of mail on the desk, while her brother’s stood proudly displayed. Childhood memories suddenly flooded back—Maria being teased in band about her tarnished old saxophone, when her brother had a brand new trumpet; Maria’s disappointment at being told that her family couldn’t afford dance lessons, although they managed her brother’s tae kwon do classes; Maria performing in a class play while her parents cheered for her brother at one of his many basketball games. Nothing’s changed, thought Maria. She doesn’t even try to hide her favoritism.

Rebekah and Isaac’s family illustrates the problems and conflicts that arise when parents are partial to a certain child. Isaac preferred the rugged, outdoorsy Esau, while Rebekah favored the quiet, homebody Jacob. We don’t know how much Rebekah’s preference for Jacob was based on his temperament, and how much on God’s prediction before the twins’ births that the older would serve the younger.

After being unable to conceive for twenty years, Rebekah must have rejoiced when she learned that she carried twins. God’s promise that her sons would become two great nations thrilled her, and she probably never forgot his statement that the younger son would become the stronger nation. Her jealous love for Jacob overpowered her maternal instincts for Esau.

Thankfully, God does not play favorites among his children, although it may appear that way to us at times. Favoritism is not a part of his character. Every believer has been given spiritual gifts and the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish great things for God’s Kingdom. Although he plans different roles for each of us, he desires the same thing for every person—a close relationship with him.

God does not show favoritism.

Romans 2:11