Text: Genesis 37:1-4
Memory verse:
“Yet He is not partial to princes, Nor does He regard the rich more than the poor; For they are all the work of His hands.”
‭‭Job‬ ‭34‬:‭19‬ ‭

Today, we will discuss, Partial and Religious fathers.
Let’s start with the Partial father. David Stiers said, “Family means, no one is left behind or forgotten” The Partial father exhibits visible favoritism among his children. He compares the appearance, intelligence, academic performance or athletic ability of one child with another. He shows more love and responds to the need of a child above the other to the extent that it becomes obvious to the rest. Such was the love that Jacob showed to the sons of Rachel, his preferred wife, above Leah. Joseph was Rachel’s first and favorite son and her only son for many years. Joseph became the ‘baby’ of the family. Jacob’s love for Rachel, his beloved wife, extended to Joseph and his siblings knew about it.
“Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors.” – Genesis 37:3
Favoritism can run through generations. Isaac and Rebekah passed it to their sons. The result of this favoritism set their sons up as adversaries to each other.
Parental favoritism divides the family, triggers resentment among siblings and can promote generational curse.
What about the Religious father? He has a form of religion but has no reality with God. He creates a public impression of being religious but lacks the reality of true Christianity at home. Anytime, a person grows cold on obedience to the word of God, he is playing religion. Nothing corrupts and confuses a child more than seeing his parents living the double life. Lot is an example of such. He loved God but still enjoyed the company of the world. He was distressed with the sins of the land but couldn’t detach himself from the land. His wife and daughters couldn’t see the reality in him. No wonder his wife perished outside the city because she was so engrossed in the values of Sodom such that she didn’t want to part with the treasures of Sodom. Even his two daughters practiced sodomy, committing incest with their father.
Friends, know that each of your children is of immeasurable worth created in the image of God, so partiality shouldn’t be permitted.

Prayer points
1. Father, please, help all our fathers to hate favoritism and not to forget or to leave any of the family members behind in Jesus name.
2. Father, please, encounter all our fathers and help them to surrender all in Jesus name.

Today’s declarations
1. Partiality of parents among the children breed hatred and division.
2. Each child is of immeasurable worth created in the image of God, so I won’t encourage partiality.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng