Topical Bible: Brother and Sister Relationships

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In the Bible, the relationships between brothers and sisters are depicted with a range of emotions and interactions, from deep love and loyalty to rivalry and conflict. These relationships often serve as a microcosm of broader human interactions and are used to convey spiritual truths and moral lessons.

Old Testament Examples

1. Cain and Abel: The first recorded brotherly relationship in the Bible is between Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam and Eve. This relationship tragically ends in the first murder, as Cain, driven by jealousy and anger, kills Abel. This account highlights the destructive power of sin and the importance of mastering one's emotions. Genesis 4:8 states, "Then Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let us go out to the field.' And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him."

2. Jacob and Esau: The twin brothers Jacob and Esau had a tumultuous relationship marked by deception and reconciliation. Jacob, with the help of his mother Rebekah, deceives his father Isaac to receive the blessing meant for Esau. Despite their rocky start, the brothers eventually reconcile, demonstrating the possibility of forgiveness and restoration. Genesis 33:4 describes their reunion: "But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept."

3. Joseph and His Brothers: Joseph's relationship with his brothers is a account of betrayal and redemption. Out of jealousy, his brothers sell him into slavery, but Joseph rises to power in Egypt and ultimately saves his family from famine. This narrative underscores themes of providence, forgiveness, and God's sovereignty. Genesis 50:20 records Joseph's words to his brothers: "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people."

New Testament Examples

1. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus: The siblings Martha, Mary, and Lazarus are close friends of Jesus, and their interactions with Him reveal different aspects of faith and devotion. Martha is known for her service, Mary for her worship, and Lazarus for his resurrection, which glorifies God. John 11:5 notes, "Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus."

2. James and John, Sons of Zebedee: Known as the "Sons of Thunder," James and John were among Jesus' closest disciples. Their relationship is characterized by ambition and zeal, as seen when they request to sit at Jesus' right and left in His glory. Jesus uses this moment to teach about servanthood and humility. Mark 10:37 records their request: "They answered, 'Grant that one of us may sit at Your right hand and the other at Your left in Your glory.'"

Spiritual Implications

The Bible often uses sibling relationships to illustrate spiritual truths. Believers are called to love one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, reflecting the unity and love within the family of God. Hebrews 13:1 exhorts, "Continue in brotherly love." This love is to be sincere, sacrificial, and reflective of Christ's love for the Church.

Moral and Ethical Lessons

Brother and sister relationships in the Bible teach important moral and ethical lessons. They highlight the consequences of envy, the power of forgiveness, and the importance of reconciliation. These narratives encourage believers to pursue peace, practice humility, and prioritize love in their relationships.

In summary, the Bible presents a complex and nuanced view of brother and sister relationships, offering both cautionary tales and inspiring examples. These accounts serve as a guide for believers in navigating their own familial and spiritual relationships.

Topical Bible Verses

Mark 3:35
For whoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
Topicalbible.org

Matthew 12:50
For whoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
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2 Samuel 13:4
And he said to him, Why are you, being the king's son, lean from day to day? will you not tell me? And Amnon said to him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.
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Leviticus 18:16
You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother's wife: it is your brother's nakedness.
Topicalbible.org

Library

Of Marriage Between Blood-Relations, in Regard to which the ...
... though their laws perversely allow a brother to marry his ... seemed almost to marry
a sister,"for cousins ... been urging, the multiplying of relationships, so that ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 16 of marriage between blood-relations.htm

Christ's Kindred
... will of God, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother.' We should have expected,
seeing that He was speaking about three different relationships, that He ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/christs kindred.htm

Christ's Teaching as to his Mother and Brethren.
... Jesus admits three human relationships""brother, sister, mother""but omits
the paternal relationship, since he had no Father, save God. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/l christs teaching as to.htm

Christ's Witnesses
... of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ.' Brother and sister, if you ... go
deepest and touch the moral and spiritual nature and relationships of a man ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/christs witnesses.htm

Whether Consanguinity is Fittingly Distinguished by Degrees and ...
... descend to his son, hence it is that corresponding to these three relationships
there are ... Hence according to the legal reckoning brother and sister, or two ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether consanguinity is fittingly distinguished.htm

1872-1874. Letter from Rev. AMW Christopher --Letter from Gulf of ...
... to but you.' The one most lonely as to earth's relationships will soon ... ones, far
from native home, and father and mother, brother and sister, and think ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter v 1872-1874 letter from.htm

Revival in the Home
... between a husband and wife, a parent and child, a brother and sister, or between ...
Even those living in the most intimate relationships with us do not know ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter 6 revival in the.htm

Joy in the Holy Ghost.
... A pastor with his people maybe brought into very difficult relationships; or a business
man with his ... One sharp word to your brother or sister brings a cloud ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the masters indwelling/x joy in the holy.htm

The Prayer of Jabez
... What a blessing it is to have the fireside, and the dear relationships that gather
round the word "Home," wife, children, father, brother, sister! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the prayer of jabez.htm

James the Brother of the Lord.
... Jesus and Mary, which rose above carnal relationships, the probable ... Mary, the wife
of Alphaeus and sister of the ... Mary, and identifies James, the brother of the ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 27 james the brother.htm