MOST FAVORED SON
Genesis 37:3-4
"Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors. But when his brothers saw that he loved him ore than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him."
We have already seen the result of jealousy between Jacob's wives, Leah, Rachel, Bilhah and Zilpah. Now we see it in their sons. When the ten brothers saw that Joseph received preferential treatment from their father Jacob (Israel), they hated him. Jealousy and hard feelings are natural reactions to the feeling of being unloved, slighted, and left out of the loop. Even the disciples of Jesus showed traces of this jealousy against Peter, James, and John because Jesus seemed to favor them and give them special treatment. They were in the inner circle which left the others outside (See Mark 10:35-45.) Christians today are not immune to this disease. People get jealous when it seems that God blesses someone else more. Just because jealousy is natural does not make it right. What is the antidote to this problem? I think that having a servant-spirit is the answer. The servant has no expectations, so he cannot be angry because he does not receive what others get. If the Master wants to bless another servant more, that is His business. Lord, help me to have a servant's heart.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The answer to jealousy is servanthood.
[end]
Have a serving day. Love you.
Genesis 37:3-4
"Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors. But when his brothers saw that he loved him ore than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him."
We have already seen the result of jealousy between Jacob's wives, Leah, Rachel, Bilhah and Zilpah. Now we see it in their sons. When the ten brothers saw that Joseph received preferential treatment from their father Jacob (Israel), they hated him. Jealousy and hard feelings are natural reactions to the feeling of being unloved, slighted, and left out of the loop. Even the disciples of Jesus showed traces of this jealousy against Peter, James, and John because Jesus seemed to favor them and give them special treatment. They were in the inner circle which left the others outside (See Mark 10:35-45.) Christians today are not immune to this disease. People get jealous when it seems that God blesses someone else more. Just because jealousy is natural does not make it right. What is the antidote to this problem? I think that having a servant-spirit is the answer. The servant has no expectations, so he cannot be angry because he does not receive what others get. If the Master wants to bless another servant more, that is His business. Lord, help me to have a servant's heart.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The answer to jealousy is servanthood.
[end]
Have a serving day. Love you.
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