If you think your family is dysfunctional, it’s not exclusive to you!
Here are bible stories that go to the extremes (you might want to rethink how it really is with your own family, so yes, squabbles happen, since the beginning of time).
Bible stories of dysfunctional families, sibling competition or sibling rivalry:
Cain and Abel, brother murdering own brother
Esau and Jacob, twins fighting for their birthright;
Leah and Rachel, sisters married to one man Jacob.
Rachel stealing from her father, Laban.
Jacob fears Esau, after many years of not seeing each other.
In God’s own perfect time, they reconciled.
Simeon and Levi, the angry brothers over the defiling of Dinah.
Joseph, sold into slavery by his own brothers.
Judah and Tamar, daughter in law deceives father in law.
Joseph’s story, from slavery to prison, and then interpreting prisoners’ dreams. Then Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams.
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Abimelech murdering his seventy brothers and one of them, Jotham, escaped. God punished this wickedness after three years, and caused the downfall of Abimelech.
Jepththah, the son of a harlot and a strange woman, was cast out and hated by his own siblings, only to be called to help later on in the story – Jephthah Delivers Israel – (Judges 11:1-28) KJV
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An older sibling versus a younger sibling? Look at the story of David! When his father, Jesse asked David to bring food for his older siblings …
Notice how the eldest brother Eliab, “projecting his anger and accusations” at David ?
And David responds with “what have I done now? “ – younger siblings who are habitually accused by an older sibling of some imagined wrongdoing can relate!
So reading and studying the Bible is relevant even in this modern age!
Technology has changed. But humanity? Not much.
The Bible is the Human’s Manual. Brought to us by our Creator God – who knows us best – our strengths and weaknesses – and our capabilities if we practice obedience to Him. And ask and pray for True Wisdom that only He can provide.
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A wicked father ordering a good son to do the wrong thing? Look at the story of King Saul and Jonathan. Saul Tries to Kill David – (1 Samuel 19:1-24) KJV
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