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Daily Devotions

A Negative Example of Parenting

By January 27, 2016No Comments

Read Genesis 37: 1 – 18

Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colors. And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. Genesis 37:3-4 KJV

Colossians 3:21 teaches fathers are not to provoke their children to anger. Here is an example of a father who did. Israel loved Joseph more than his other children and it was obvious in the way he treated him. Part of the problem was he learned the same behavior from his parents. Isaac and Rebekah tore their family apart through their favoritism, with Isaac favoring Esau and Rebekah favoring Jacob. Negative parenting habits are often passed from one generation to the next. Although the action of Israel does not excuse the anger of Joseph’s brothers toward him, nor their later act of wickedness against him, it certainly helps explain why they felt as they did. The very blatant favoritism of Israel toward Joseph was a serious provocation. As parents we must be on guard against family traits we think are normal but harm the emotional and spiritual health of our children.

Lord, as a parent, search me and make me to know my ways that do more harm than good in the life of my children. I want to pass on traits that will benefit them in life, as parents, and in their walk with you.

A question to ponder: What are some different ways a parent might show favoritism to one child over another without realizing it?