What I’m Thinking: Sibling Rivalry

Genesis 25 is all about the contest between two brothers – Jacob and Esau – to see which one will dominate the other. Must it always be this way?

Here’s a transcript:

I’m thinking about twins. I’m thinking about family. I’m thinking about conflict and struggle. I’m thinking about Genesis 25, the stories about the birth of Jacob and Esau: Esau first, with Jacob clinging onto his heel as they’re born.

And I’m thinking about Jacob cheating his brother out of his birthright, literally for a pot of stew.

Are there human relationships that can’t be muddled, wounded, that can’t be damaged and undercut by this constant grasping for power, by this desire to be the one in ascendance, the one on top? Well, I don’t know. But I do think that Christianity is a religion that calls us to explore that, and to come as close as we can to it.

So even as we seek for the places on which to stand, on which to declare our truth, I think there’s a fundamental truth on which we stand: that we are children of one mother, children of one God, children whose struggles with each other grieve our parents, children who should love one another.

That’s what I’m thinking! I’m curious to hear what you’re thinking. Leave your comments below; I’d love to hear from you.