Sibling rivalry and birth order

blood relative challenger and bring forth orderSIBLING RIVALRY AND BIRTH ORDERINTRODUCTIONSibling aspiration and the antecedent of hand over order atomic number 18 as alert at present as it was in the archaic Testa manpowert, scour though thither cast off been many centuries in the midst of the clock of the Old testament and today. plot accept order doesnt cause cognate rivalry by itself, the situation of the matter is that it can definitely affect sib rivalry (P atomic number 18nting Magazine). What follows is a par surrounded by blood relations in the age of the Old Testament with siblings of the ball today. This study testament demonstrate that the centuries have d wizard little to create substantial change or progress. Todays siblings continue to struggle in their efforts to beat back past jealousy, resolve conflict and fulfill their desire for power. Sibling opposition and the power of birth order be as alive today as it was in the Old Testament. Alt hough there have been historic period between the Old Testament and todays families episodes of rivalry, there are similar reasons for its prevalence today. date birth order doesnt cause sibling rivalry by itself, the situation of the matter is that it can definitely affect sibling rivalry (Parenting Magazine). I want to compare Old Testament siblings with siblings of the world today. I will unfortunately compare there has non been much change or progress through the decades. We still encounter not only sibling rivalry, plainly also adult, friend, and co-worker rivalry. There seems to have been no progression in our abilities to get past jealousy, conflict or the need for power in our society.The biggest cause of sibling rivalry in children and in adults is jealousy. It whitethorn be that sensation sibling is to a greater extentsuccessful in an area, such as their career, than another(prenominal) sibling. Or, it could be that one sibling has more than positive experiences in relationships than the other. part competition is not al manners a bad thing, if one sibling constantly feels as though they are behind their sibling in one way or another it will lead to sibling rivalry. (Parenting magazine)I. BIRTH ORDERA. Firstbornsociety also places favouritism towards grey-hairedest siblings, indispens adapted born leaders, rule-conscious, ex playing, conservative, organized, responsible, jealous, fearful, high achieving, competitive, high in self-esteem and anxious oft pressured to succeedon the other hand, youngest siblings often idolize the first born, position the first born in a position of leader of the children of the familyB. centre of attention born melt d gives to be forgottennever truly in the public eye so can be natural mediatorsthey avoid conflict, often have many friends and highly loyal to peer groupsthey may become a fighter of injustice or they may have trouble decision their placeC. Youngestbaby of the family, outgoing, entertainerou t of all the siblings the youngest has the least aversion to run a riskoften an endearing and delightful friendThe study confirmed quondam(a) siblings had distinct advantages, and that birth order was more important than gender in shaping sibling relations. (Horin)Although the advantages of the older siblings seem to have a comparative advantage to other siblings in todays society, we find that immortal had respect oer the younger siblings. idealions choice of the second born is a recurring piece of music in the Hebrew Scriptures. The eldest is passed over for the fathers blessing and inheritance, leaving his or her descendants filled with resentment and hatred. We have to wonder though if the birth order of the Old Testament brothers was a factor in their relationships as well. Not much has changed in regards to mickles personalities of greed, vanity, sin and power. Then I would tend to believe that birth order did play a factor in relationships in the Old Testament.II. Ca in and AbelIn the theme of Cain and Abel, Cain was the first son of disco biscuit and Eve. He was a farmer while his brother, Abel, was a shepherd. The some(prenominal) brothers had separately brought a sacrifice to God (Genesis 43-4). God rejects Cains field offering but has regard for Abels offering of an animal sacrifice (Genesis 45). Although both offerings were considered appropriate sacrifices, God was more pleased with Abels. Perhaps he believed Abel had a better heart in his giving than Cain (Genesis 47). Cain became angry with Gods favoritism and he killed Abel (Genesis 48). God confronted Cain about his brother, judged him, and pronounced a annoyance upon him, driving him out to the flat coat of Nod, which was east of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 49-16). It doesnt state how the devil brothers relationships were to for each one other in advance this event or the family dynamics with their parents. Genesis does not mention if they were always at betting odds from earlier days or if it came later after they became adults. But it does plant that even from the onset of time we have had the desire to succeed and be better than the others. It shows how we often displace our fretfulness towards the wrong mass too. Because of Cains anger toward God he killed Abel.III. outcast and IsaacIn the story of Ishmael and Isaac, Ishmael was Abrahams first son. His stimulate was Hagar, Sarahs Egyptian hand housemaid. Isaac was the son of Abraham and Sarah his wife. Abraham and Sarah did not have a son to make a great nation of the childless Abraham (Genesis 174). Even though God had promised them an heir, Sarah felt that God had restrained her from bursting charge a child (Genesis 161-2) and took matters into her own hands. In unbelief, Sarah offered to Abraham her maid Hagar (Geisler). Hagar was promised a son named Ishmael, meaning God hears, because of her affliction (Genesis 169-11). Abraham and Sarah motherd him as the son of Gods promise. They bo th laughed in disbelief when the birth of Isaac was announced (Genesis 1717). God promised to make Ishmael the father of cardinal princes, from which would become a great nation. But the covenant would be established with Isaac (Genesis 1720-21). accept Ishmael was moc king Isaac she wanted Hagar and Ishmael to be cast out. At the insistence of his wife, Abraham expels his Ishmael and his mother Hagar, from his camp after Ishmael behaves inappropriately with his half-brother, Isaac (Genesis 219-21). Ishmael married an Egyptian and fathered 12 sons and a daughter. He was the half brother of Isaac and wasEsaus father-in-law.He is also considered the prophet of the Muslims, inheritors of Ishmaels legacy. Once again God favors the second born, Isaac, not Ishmael, inheriting the blessings of the covenant. I do speculate on how things would have possibly been various if Sarah had just trusted God sort of of taking matters into her own hands. Even now we try to do the homogeneous th ing we forget or fail to keep our trust and corporate trust in God.In regards to Ishmael and Isaac they were born to two different mothers. This doubtlessly made a hedge between them from the onset. Having two different mothers, from two different backgrounds surely made the difference. Even though Abraham loved both of his sons, the mothers of the boys were of two different statuses and backgrounds. The conflict between the mothers had to appear to the sons somewhere during their nurtures. From the rattling beginning, it would have been hard for harmony to be achieved imputable to Sarahs jealousy and Hagars different background and the rivalry between the two. I think it is important here to see that the sibling rivalry between the two focused more on the mothers rivalry between each other, than the actual relationship between the sons. It appears that not just personalities between siblings can cause rivalry. But, perhaps rivalry within the family causes rivalry to be imminent between children. We essential discover the impact of our actions to our children and those around us.IV. Esau and JacobJust as the blessings and promises of God pass from Abraham to Isaac, they moldiness also pass from Isaac to his son. But Isaac had twin sons, Esau and Jacob (Geisler 46). When Abrahams son Isaac was grown he married Rebekah. He pleaded with God that his wife might bear children (Genesis 2521). The children struggled together within her, when she inquired of God he said that there were two nations in her womb. They shall be separated from your bowels and the one people shall be stronger than the other people and the elder shall serve the younger (Genesis 2522, 23). As a result, she bore twin sons, Esau the hairy one and Jacob supplanter. Jacob was described as grabbing Esaus heels upon birth, as if trying to come out first and become firstborn. Esau became a hunter, and Isaac lucky him.Jacob was more of a settler and farmer and was favored by his mother (Genesis 2524-28). Jacob was also crafty and took advantage of Esaus extreme hunger one day. He bargained with his older brother to exchange his birthright for some lentil stew. Possession of the birthright secured for Jacob a double portion of the inheritance (Genesis 2528-33). Although Esau was Isaacs preferent son, he displeased his father by link uping two Hittite women who were not descendants of Abraham. This made life extremely difficult for his parents (Genesis 2634-35). Near the end of his life, when it came time for Isaac to give his blessing on Esau, he is deceived into blessing Jacob instead (Geisler). Rebekah overheard his instructions to Esau. She encouraged Jacob to deceive the blind old man by disguising himself as Esau and taking his brothers blessing. The deception succeeded, and Isaac gave Jacob the blessing of the firstborn. When Esau appeared to receive his blessing he was too late. He was very bitter against Jacob because of what had happened. subsequently this, Es au was so angry that Jacob left for Haran. Twenty years later Esau munificently forgave his brother and the brothers were reunited (334-16). Two decades later a rich and prosperous Jacob re handleed with his family. Esau and Jacob last made peace before Isaac died.Even before they were born Jacob and Esau were in a battle for supremacy. But un wish Ishmael and Isaac they were twins from the same mother. Twins we tend to believe are closer because of similar genes. They are known to act alike and know what each other are feeling or thinking at times it is said. In Jacob and Esaus face this was not true. They seemed to try to battle it out even before birth. During their upbringing we see that their relationships with their parents may have played a role also. Jacob was more favored by this mother and Esau was favored more by his father. I find it interesting to see how the family dynamics of children may be influenced by the favoritism of their parents. Along with their personalit ies and how children are molded by which parent they are favored by in regards to male or female.V. Joseph and his BrothersJoseph was one of twelve sons of Jacob. He was the first born son of Rachel (Genesis 3022-24). Jacob also had quadruple sons by Rachaels sister, Leah (Genesis 2931-35) Leah then bore sons five and six, Issachar and Zebulun, followed by a daughter, Dinah (Genesis 3014-21). She gave her maid Bilhah to Jacob and Bilhah bore him Dan and Naphtali (Genesis 301-8). At this point Leah gave her maid Zilpah to Jacob as a wife. Zilpah brought forth Gad and Asher (Genesis 309-13). Joseph was the favorite of his father, since he was the son of Jacobs old age (Genesis 373) and the firstborn son of his favorite wife. Because he showed his favoritism so openly that the other sons became jealous of Joseph. Josephs brothers hated him. Plus, Joseph was a bit of a show off and a tattletale, acting as his fathers spy in their eyes.Their jealousy and envy towards Joseph only got wo rsened when Jacob gave Joseph a ground-length, long-sleeved, multicolored robe (Genesis 373-4). The animosity of his brothers increased even more when Joseph revealed to them he was having dreams where his brothers would one day bow down before him (Genesis 375-11). Because of this, when Jacob sent Joseph to check on his brothers and the flocks near Shechem, his brothers tricked him and sold him to a caravan of traders going down to Egypt (Genesis 3725-28). Josephs brothers then took his robe, dipped it in goats blood, and brought it back to Jacob, who was overwhelmed with grief (Genesis 3731-35). Joseph went on to live out his visions from God and attained a high position in Egypt. He last faced his brothers again during the famine, and reveals his identity to them (Genesis 42-44). Joseph forgives his brothers after realizing that they will no durable sacrifice a brother for their own means or gains (Genesis 4418-34). This showed Joseph that his brothers were changed men from the ir past dealings with Joseph.Josephs relationship with his brothers was one of resentment by his brothers a story of tragedy and deception. It shows a group of brothers having sibling rivalry over one brother. The dynamics of the family shows the partiality of Jacob over Joseph in comparison to the other brothers. This favoritism was not hidden by their father and shows the dangers of favoritism and the extent of how dangerous rivalry can become.VI. Amnon and AbsalomAmnon was the son of pouf David and Ahinoam (2 Samuel 32). Absalom was the son of King David and his wife Maacah (2 Samuel 33). Thus Amnon and Absalom were half-brothers, likeAbrahams sonsIshmaelandIsaac. Absalom was a bad young prince known for his long, thick hair (2 Samuel 1425-26). He had a beautiful sister Tamar Amnon brought shame upon Tamar by forcing himself on her and then refusing to marry her (131-20).Absalom allowed his dejected sister to live with him in his house, believing that his father King David woul d punish Amnon for what he had done. subsequently two years of waiting, Absalom plotted his own revenge after his father did nothing to Amnon for his behavior towards Tamar. Absalom gave a festival for King David and his princes at his estate in the country. King David did not attend, but Amnon did Absalom got him drunk and then had his servants kill Amnon (2 Samuel 1326-28). Afraid of King Davids anger, Absalom fled crosswise the Jordan River to King Talmai of Geshur, the father of Absaloms mother (2 Samuel 1329-39).After ternary years hiding far away from home, Absalom was called back to Jerusalem by Davids general, Joab. After two years he was back in full favor with the king (2 Samuel 14) and began plotting ways to gain the throne for himself. He worked to make the people think well of him, while also lowering peoples opinion of his father, the king (2 Samuel 151-6). Eventually, Absalom planned a rebellion against King David, gathering the people who wanted him to be king tog ether in Hebron. After Ahithophel, one of King Davids wisest counselors, joined Absalom, the prince announced that he was now king. By the time news of Absaloms conspiracy reached him, King David was unable to do anything but head for the hills from Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15). When it finally came down to the battle between King Davids men and Absaloms men, Joab slew Absalom. He found Absalom hanging from an oak tree by his hair and slain him, even though King David had asked that Absalom not be harmed (2 Samuel 18).The story of Amnon and Absalom shows that rivalries often drive people to destroy one another. Amnon and Absalom were like Ishmael and Isaac being of two different mothers also. From early on they were against each other due to Amnons crime against Tamar. In addition, King David showed a bod of defending his sons even though he knew they had done wrong. He seemed to turn his head at all the wrong times. This may be due to King Davids sins of his past. King David had unwit tingly pronounced a fourfold apprehension on himself in his responses to Prophet Nathans parable (Geisler 119). I wonder if he had been more of a role model in the sense of not sinning with Bathsheba that it would have changed any outcomes of his sons. The consequences of King Davids sins brought greater sorrow on him than had he died himself (Geisler 119). No matter what his sons had done, as all parents do, he continue to love them in spite of their troubles. How many times have we as parents never realized at the time the influences we have over our children. It is the perfect lesson of the do as I say and not as I do. King David did not act out in hypocrisy, but he did live in a yucky lifestyle at times. Allowing our sinful nature to be so prominent sends a message to our children that its okay. We must be a role model and teacher for all.SummaryIn summary I believe birth order played a part in each of the sons personalities. Although, Gods plans are more significant than the birth order process, sibling rivalry, family dynamics, or personalities and his plans follow through. . Throughout the Old Testament we see the same characteristics of rivalry, power desire and resentment come to a head in each of these families. We see anger being interpreted out on the wrong people, as in Cain and Abel, where the anger was enjoin toward Abel, instead of God. We read of many forms of deception in several of the Old Testament families. Whether you could say that the oldest had more power than the other siblings, in footing of the personalities and birth order, it did not seem to matter in the end. God had a plan that would be implemented no matter what the circumstances were. more or less people trace the hostility between Israeli and Arab to the rivalry between Isaac and Ishmael. Todays bloody disputes over territory spring from Gods promise of a land for his people (Knowles). The tragedy of strained relations between Islamic and Judeo-Christian countries is a pa rt of everyday life. One need only dive up a newspaper or check the news story of the day via television, radio, or internet to learn of the latest violent attack. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, trey of the worlds great religions, have their roots in the Middle East. All triad religions revere Abraham as a common ancestor. Yet all three have had bloody interchanges throughout history. How and why did Abrahams children become such a dysfunctional family? Where is God in these family feuds? Even if there was a way to get past human characteristics of jealousy, power, conflict and self-centeredness, we would not be able to get past the differences in religious beliefs. When there is no exponent for us as a society to come together as a whole then there is no way to start above the problems.