Sibling Similarity

The same gene pool had created two such different children.

Genesis 25:19-34

Reference: The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was content to stay at home among the tents. (‭Genesis‬ ‭25‬:‭27‬ NIV)

Explore: Whilst sitting around a work lunch table, a colleague pulled out the latest photos of her much loved nephews. I couldn’t help but comment on how different they looked.

One had fair hair with soft facial features, while the other had all dark colourings and a sharp jaw line. The same gene pool had created two such different children.

My colleague explained that the older looked like the father’s family whereas the younger one was much more similar to the mother’s side. As she told us more about these boys it seemed their personalities and abilities were as different as their looks.

Application: If you have siblings then you have no doubt been compared to them as well. Even though I have been compared to my siblings on a regular basis, I still find myself doing it to others.

Jacob and Esau were brothers who seemed as similar as chalk and cheese. Great things, however, could have come from both of them.

It wasn’t Esau’s looks or talent that meant Abraham’s line didn’t come through him, it was his poor decision when it came to his birthright.

We are all born with strengths and abilities, but we all have choices we make along the way. We can use the gifts we are born with to enhance our decisions but our choices are our own.

We all have the ability to connect with the same God who offers love and wisdom to all who come to Him.

Prayer: Lord, help us to make Godly decisions that lead to heavenly consequences. Amen.

How do your inborn gifts impact the decisions you make?

born, decisions, family, Genesis, siblings