Favorite Son

If you have siblings or more than one child of your own, the issue of who’s the favorite one may come up. In both my own family of five siblings and among my three children, favoritism routinely comes up in casual conversations. Now it is most often raised in jest but the feelings can be real.

The story of how Rebekah and Isaac, raised their two boys, Esau and Jacob, as described in Genesis 27 is a classic example of parental favoritism. Rebekah favored Jacob and Isaac chose Esau since he was the firstborn son (by just a few minutes, of course). Throughout the chapter we see Rebekah aiding Jacob in deceiving the ailing father into believing that Jacob was, in fact, Esau, and should receive his dying father’s blessing. Esau is crushed when he discovers what transpired and begs his father for an additional blessing, something that an ancient Near Eastern father would not generally do.

What are we to make of this story of deception between parents and enmity between brothers? Our modern sensibilities would point out the obvious parenting errors being made which would inevitably lead to issues later in life. Maybe there’s more to the story, however.

We know that God also chose Jacob to continue the line of Abraham. In just the next chapter, Jacob hears from God directly in a dream who says to him, “Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” (Genesis 28:14-15)

After more careful reading, it appears that Rebekah may have unknowingly carried out God’s plan by ensuring that Jacob received his father’s blessing. Although we can judge her intentions, we have the benefit of hindsight in knowing the rest of the story, that Jacob’s twelve sons become the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel who would form the foundation of the people that would establish the nation God promised.

Sometimes we think we know what’s best for us or for others but we must be careful to remember that we can’t see the future, nevermind have the capacity to even understand the present. Perhaps God is at work in ways that would contradict what appears to be the obvious solution to a problem or question you’re facing. Are you willing to consider other options when the way seems obvious?

God, help me recognize my own limitations in understanding what you are doing in the world and in my own life. Sometimes I believe things are obvious and, especially in those times, help me to discern and follow your path for me.

Throughout this Day: Reflect on your journey and thank God for the times when your life took an unexpected turn that, in hindsight, turned out to be a blessing.