By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
Following the importance and significant roles mothers play in our homes and lives, which can either mar or build them, the general overseer and founder of God’s Greater Grace General Assembly Intl Incorporated, Benin, Rev Sunny Akenbor, has urged them to eschew the tendency of loving one child above the other, saying, it forms the basis of hatred and disunity in the homes.
He made the passionate appeal while speaking on the topic: “Breaking the yoke of hatred” during the Sunday church service in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
Rev. Sunny Akenbor said though it was pre-destined by God that the elder brother, Esau would serve the younger brother, Jacob, but their mother, Rebecca, quickened the process by her actions and her deeds.
Rev. Akenbor said Rebecca sold the idea of what Jacob has to do to be able to outsmart their father, Isaac who was stricken with age so that he (Jacob) can get the blessings meant for Esau.
Akenbor said Jacob went close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, “The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.”
Akenbor said Esau eventually sold his birthrights for a bowl of porridge, kudos to his mother who just hated him for now reason and his brother who wanted to get to the peak by all means possible either by hook or by crook.
He further maintained that, such singular act of Rebecca, created a gulf between both siblings adding that, mothers must avoid such temptation but strive as much as possible to love all her children equally in order to build a happy and unified family.
Speaking further, the general overseer of the church said people can hate you for the following reasons, because you are christian, because you are prospering and because of what you have said about them.
He also said that there are some persons who are having the mark of hatred on their foreheads, or bearing the yoke of hatred or being followed by the spirit of hatred.
He said when all these forces are after someone, they serve as impediments to favour.
The clergyman opined that hatred can stir up anger and other social vices.
He said it was hatred for Abel that made Cain to kill him. Why? Because he gave the best offerings to God.
The man of God further inspired the members of the congregation not to be despaired and that, they should be of good spirits noting that, God who remembered Jacob is very much available just as he urged them to be committed to Him.
“By your sword you shall live, and you shall serve your brother; but when you grow restless you shall break his yoke from your neck”, Genesis 27:40
He said the verse predicts that Esau will live by fighting and serving his brother, Jacob, but will eventually rebel and gain his independence.
Bible references: Malachi 1:3, Matthew 10:22, Genesis 37:5, Genesis 25:23, Genesis 27:7, Romans 9:13,
Proverbs 26:26, Genesis 27:40.
