Be vigilant parents of their children's relationships and communications.
Greetings dear friends of the community. The Bible is an interesting manual of family orientation that provides us with multiple teachings on the relationships between family members. In this post we will talk in a very particular way about the relationships between siblings, of which the Bible cites a set of examples that deserve to be studied to enrich the functioning of relationships in our own families. As parents we must observe how each of our children communicate and relate to each other, which determines the success of the teachings that we as parents instill in them.
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Healthy sibling relationships edify the family. However, when envy takes place in the relationship between siblings, dangerous events can be unleashed, such as what happened with the children of the first couple of human beings. We all know the story of Cain and Abel, we know that out of envy and jealousy of the offering that Abel presented to God, Cain killed his brother Abel. This situation has been repeating itself in the history of humanity within the family group. Parents are responsible for instructing and controlling the relationships between their children, so that selfishness, envy, jealousy and everything that affects the fraternal relationship, does not take place in their lives. It is necessary to avoid by all means, those big differences that many times are sown in the fraternal relationships. Parents should look for the multiple tools and strategies to harmonize the relationships between their children and not to give place to violence and family disunity. In Genesis we find the story of what Cain did to his brother Abel:
8 And Cain said unto Abel his brother, Let us go out into the field. And it came to pass, while they were in the field, that Cain rose up against his brother Abel, and slew him. 9 And the LORD said to Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: am I my brother's keeper? 10 And he said unto him, What hast thou done? The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the earth. 11 Now therefore cursed be thou from the earth, who hast opened his mouth to receive thy brother's blood at thy hand. "Genesis 4: 8-11"
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In every Christian family, God's protection and permanent care must prevail. The Bible says that children are God's inheritance, however, when parents move away from God's purpose there can be tragedy in the family. God guides the relationships of the Christian family, no matter how much disagreement or conflict may arise, God's hand will straighten out the family relationships. In the days of Isaac and Rebekah, they had two sons, who were twins: Jacob and Esau. The story of these two brothers is also important to consider, since the bad upbringing that their parents gave them, greatly affected the relationship between them, so much so, that Esau madly sought to kill his brother Jacob, who by deception stole the birthright blessing. God at the end of this story had to intervene, listening to Jacob's cry so that God would put grace in him and his brother Esau would not kill him. As parents, we must always keep in mind that relationships in the family must be under God's control and dominion so that there are healthy relationships between all the members of the family nucleus.
8 And Esau said, What do you propose to yourself with all these groups that I have found? And Jacob answered, To find favor in the sight of my lord. 9 And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; let what is yours be yours. 10 And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found favor in thine eyes, accept my present: for I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God; for thou hast received me with so much favor. 11 Accept, I pray thee, my present which I have brought thee, for God has done me mercy, and all that is here is mine. And he insisted on it, and Esau took it. 12 And Esau said, Go, let us go; and I will go before thee. "Genesis 33: 8-12"
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In the Bible we find another very valuable teaching on sibling relationships, in which God's hand was in the matter. I am referring to the story of Joseph son of Jacob and his relationship with his brothers. Actually, God had allowed all the hatred and contempt that his brothers had for Joseph, so that at the end of the story, the Lord placed Joseph as governor of Egypt and administered the food for the days of famine that the whole land experienced, especially the land of Canaan where Jacob and Joseph's brothers lived. His brothers despised him because Joseph was a dreamer boy. God had revealed to him two dreams about his future and in the end God fulfilled them, but for the good of Joseph and all his family. They were all reconciled and the family was united again until Jacob's death.
No matter how many differences may occur between brothers in a family, parents have the duty to see to it that bad fraternal relationships culminate in good and healthy relationships.
When they saw him afar off, before he came near them, they conspired against him to kill him. 19 And they said one to another, Behold, the dreamer is coming. 20 Now therefore come, and let us kill him and cast him into a cistern, and we will say: Some evil beast hath devoured him; and we will see what will become of his dreams. 21 And when Reuben heard it, he delivered him out of their hand, and said, Let us not slay him. 22 And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood: cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; for so to deliver him out of their hands, to bring him again to his father. 23 And it came to pass, when Joseph came to his brethren, that they took from Joseph his coat, the coat of many colors that was upon him; 24 And they took him, and cast him into the pit: but the pit was empty, there was no water in it. "Genesis 37: 18-24"
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Finally, dear friend, if you are a parent, consider all of God's advice for your life and family, in order to have and build a successful family within the demanding parameters of the convulsive society we have today. Do not give up, do like Jacob who fought to the end so that all his children would return to the fraternal unity. God bless the life of each one of you and your family.
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