Four pairs of boys—brothers—whose life stories God has told us, are in the Book of Genesis. From each of them we may learn something.
First, we have CAIN AND ABEL (Gen. 4:2), the first boys who ever lived. No bad companions to lead them astray, yet one of them became a proud religionist, an angry man, a murderer. Cain began by going to offer a sacrifice without blood, denying his fallen, sinful condition, and ended up by going out from the presence of the Lord, where he set about to make himself as happy as he could without God. Abel brought a lamb to the altar, shed its blood, and stood by its side, confessing himself a sinner, and by faith looking on to the promised Saviour. Cain was of “the wicked one” (1 John 3:12), the first one to substitute human religion for faith in Christ. He became a persecutor and a murderer. Abel was reckoned “righteous” through faith.
ISHMAEL AND ISAAC (Gen. 21:8,9). Both were sons of a godly father, both brought up in the same home, yet how different. Isaac was an obedient boy, a beloved son, a man of faith, of whom God was not ashamed— “I am the God of Isaac.” Ishmael, fourteen years older, mocked his brother, persecuted him, chose the life of an archer (vs. 21), and became a wild man of the desert.
ESAU AND JACOB (Gen. 27:30). They too were brothers—twins—but how different their choice, their lives, their destinies. Esau sold his birthright for “a morsel of meat” (Heb. 12:16). Jacob, although a supplanter, or cheater, was blessed not because he had a title, but because of God’s sovereign grace toward him. He had faith in God. He was saved by grace.
EPHRAIM AND MANASSEH (Gen. 48:13). They were Joseph’s two sons, born in Egypt, but blessed by their aged grandfather, Jacob. “Bless the lads; and let my name be named upon them,” was the patriarch’s prayer. What better portion could any boy have than that! To be saved and blessed, to be one of God’s children, able to call Him “Father,” is surely the best of all blessings, worth far more than popularity, wealth and fame.
To be saved, blessed, and serving God in early days, is the only happy life.
ML 01/24/1965