The FAVORITE ONE

Good morning. Many things will affect you in life, but one thing that will cause you to stumble is if you believe someone else gets the love you deserve.  Instances of favoritism are very visible throughout the bible, but I want to touch on a few. Instances where one is loved more than the other. Now, granted I am not talking about someone’s perception, but a general heartfelt love that is apparent.  

First, there was Jacob, Genesis 29:30 KJ2000 “And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah and served with him yet seven other years.” There is no doubt Rachel was loved more. Interestingly, God saw this, and he did two things. First, Rachel was barren for many years. Secondly, Leah had many sons for Jacob, and He blessed her womb.  Genesis 29:32 KJ2000 “And Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD has looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.” Leah felt less loved and wanted her husband's love, but God showed His love at all times.  Now, the same God sees your circumstances and because He intercedes on your behalf will bring forth justice.  

The second example is Joseph. Genesis 37:3 NET “Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons because he was a son born to him late in life, and he made a special tunic for him." Sometimes love can be motivated by circumstances, such as with Jacob and Joseph. Please note, it wasn’t because Joseph was the son of Rachel, but because he was a son in his later life. That shown affection was the cause of great pain in Jacob’s family, Genesis 37:4 NET “When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated Joseph and were not able to speak to him kindly.” Joseph became the focal point of hate because his brothers could see that they were treated differently. Again, let’s make a point here, they were loved, but Joseph was loved more. 

Then there is Esther, Esther 2:17 KJ2000 “And the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.” This was loved received through purpose but the underlying was competition. 

• How often do we feel we must compete for the love of someone in our lives? 
• Does this competition lead us to be angry with others or even for us to feel we have a lesser position because we are not chosen? 
• What did this do to the others who were part of the selections?
•  Did they walk away feeling unloved or incomplete?  

Now all three cases are different but how often do we feel we are not the favorite, or we aren’t the one chosen, and finally we didn’t win the competition.  Then comes the challenge of how do we cause others to react to the love we display? Are they required to compete for our love? Is our love based on circumstance? Is there an unfair show of our love toward others that leave them left out, or even to hate their brothers or sisters?  Can we ask the spirit to guide us to love unconditionally and without favoritism?  

Now that’s the giving side, but on the receiving side, can we not compare the love we receive to that given to others and also receive?  Is it possible to be satisfied with the knowledge of God’s love and his favor? Finally, on that end, do you realize that you are loved as a child of God more than any that rejects His love. As spoken to Mary, you are blessed and highly favored.  God bless you, my beloved.