Introduction
The Bible is an indivisible entity, a document of spiritual and historical relevance. Depending upon interpretation and usage, it has been and can be an indispensable tool of liberation or a weapon of mass destruction and oppression.
Main body
It is the infallible word of God as depicted by His inspired prophets and the story of a people. Divided into two sections – The Old Testament and The New Testament – the fundamental theme of the Bible is an expose on God’s nature and the nature of the human family via key biblical figures and their relationship to Him and with each other. Written and inspired by Moses, the Old Testament is comprised of 39 books. It conveys the Law and the Prophecies. The relationship between brothers and its negative as well as positive impact is one of the many motifs explored in the Old Testament. Most importantly, thru these relationships we witness God’s love and mercy but His wrath and condemnation as well. Intense love/respect to abhorrent sibling rivalry epitomizes the relationship between key biblical figures who happen to be brothers.
Fratricide, the killing of one’s own kin, is first introduced in the Bible via the relationship/story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-16) – the off springs of Adam and Eve. Through them is our first glimpse into the struggle between the carnal and the spiritual.
A mere man of the earth, Cain embodied self-will/interest/hatred and materialism. His bloody sin offering reveals his unflinching noncompliance and disrespect to God. His action is considered the precursor to false religion for he sought to worship God in the manner in which he choose as opposed to how God’s desire. Revered as the first Biblical martyr, Abel was spiritual man as evidenced by his offering. His faith was unbound and pure. Cain’s murdered of Abel catapulted the human family into blood shed and perpetual violence as well eternally cursed the earth.
Like Cain and Abel, the parable Esau and Jacob (Genesis 25:24 – 33:20) symbolize how children despite similar parentage can be of diverse seed. The disparity between the carnal (Esau) and the spiritual (Jacob) is further explored. Paramount and inherent in their story is prophetic destiny. The essence of their character and destiny is solidified from conception. Most importantly, the impetus for their sibling rivalry is compounded by parental favoritism. The difference is that their personal flaws contribute to the strife in their relationship in contrast to Cain and Abel, in which Cain was the primary antagonist. Jacob’s idiosyncrasies lay the foundation for the dissension he would encounter in his family (Genesis 29-48). The sons he fathered with Rachel and Leah would predominately constitute the Twelve Tribes of Israel. His incessant love for Rachel over Leah and nepotism for their son, Joseph, served as the progenitor for the sibling rivalry between Joseph and his brothers birthed by Leah. The envy is so fervent and deep-rooted that it forces them to sell Joseph into slavery. Contrary to such consternation and strife, is in the relationship between Moses, one of the greatest of the biblical prophets, and Aaron, the founding father of the Levite Priesthood. Their difference in character did not impede their brotherly love for one anther. Aaron was older and more eloquent and persuasive of the two in terms of speaking. The relationship between him and Moses eludes strife because of their humility and reverence for God’s will.
God’s wrath and condemnation is prevalent, but his love, forgiveness and mercy are equally evidenced in these relationships. Hatred, sibling rivalry, jealousy, and contention succumb to love, compassion, and forgiveness only proving that God’s word is absolute. He puts it into the heart of man to fulfill that which he says and wants.
Bibliography
- Scofield, C.I. Reverend, Editor. The Scofield Study Bible. Oxford University Press: New York, 1917.
- Ryken, Leland, James C. Wilhoit and Tremper Longman III, Editors. Dictinary of Biblical Imagery. InterVarsity Press: Downers Grove, IL, 1998.