Faith & Family Business
Jacob, Esau, and Favoritism (Genesis 25:28)
Welcome to my weekly Faith and Family Business reflections, where I (briefly) probe important questions that arise in family business – questions relating to behavior, relationships and legacy – from the angle of a Biblical story. For more information about this series, click here.
In last week’s reflection (Gen. 25:27), we saw how Jacob and Esau had divergent skills and talents. This week we see how their parents, Isaac and Rebekah, favor each of their sons differently.
“Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.” (Gen. 25:28)
It doesn’t get any clearer than that! The parents had their favorites.
Favoritism is also felt, even if not intended, in the business-owning family. Sometimes the one who returned to the business is showered with gifts. Other times, the one who succeeded elsewhere is put on a pedestal. Birth order, interests, gender, skills, attitude, accomplishments, lifestyle choices…the potential sources of affection or disappointment are myriad. And “favor” can take many forms: time spent, gifts given, and words spoken are instruments of both affection and antipathy.
Did you ever experience special treatment from your parents? As a parent, have you considered, or been made aware of, how your actions were perceived as signals of favoritism by your children?
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