Ingratitude, particularly within familial and relational contexts, is a recurring theme in the Bible. This lack of thankfulness or appreciation is often highlighted as a moral failing and a departure from the virtues of love, respect, and honor that are expected within family and community relationships.

Biblical Examples of Ingratitude:

1. Joseph and His Brothers:
The account of Joseph and his brothers is a poignant example of ingratitude within a family. Despite Joseph's dreams indicating a future of leadership and blessing, his brothers' jealousy led them to sell him into slavery. This act of betrayal is a stark example of familial ingratitude. Genesis 37:4 states, "When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him."

2. Moses and the Israelites:
The Israelites frequently exhibited ingratitude towards Moses, who led them out of Egyptian bondage. Despite witnessing numerous miracles, they often complained and rebelled against Moses' leadership. In Numbers 14:2 , the Israelites grumbled, "If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness!" This ingratitude was not only directed at Moses but ultimately at God, who had delivered them.

3. David and Absalom:
King David's relationship with his son Absalom is another example of ingratitude. Despite David's love and forgiveness, Absalom conspired to overthrow his father. In 2 Samuel 15:6 , it is recorded, "Absalom behaved this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the people of Israel." Absalom's actions reflect a deep ingratitude towards his father's kindness and position.

4. The Prodigal Son:
In the parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus illustrates the theme of ingratitude through the younger son's actions. He demands his inheritance prematurely and squanders it in reckless living. Luke 15:13 describes, "After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living." His initial ingratitude is contrasted with his eventual repentance and the father's forgiving nature.

Theological Reflections:

Ingratitude is often seen as a symptom of a deeper spiritual issue—a failure to recognize and appreciate the blessings and relationships God has provided. It is a departure from the biblical call to honor one's parents (Exodus 20:12) and to love one's neighbor as oneself (Leviticus 19:18). The Bible consistently encourages gratitude as a reflection of a heart aligned with God's will, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 : "Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

Practical Implications:

The biblical accounts of ingratitude serve as cautionary tales, urging believers to cultivate a spirit of thankfulness and to honor their relationships. Ingratitude can lead to broken relationships, as seen in the accounts of Joseph, Moses, David, and the Prodigal Son. Christians are called to emulate Christ's example of love and gratitude, fostering harmonious and respectful relationships within their families and communities.Job 19:14
My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jesus as a Friend.
... English preacher that Christ exhibited the blended ... displayed jealousy, envy, narrowness,
ingratitude, unbelief, cowardice ... Too often human friendship in its most ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter xv jesus as a.htm

Letter ix. Meditation.
... the fact, it is nevertheless true, that our minds are often dull upon ... 4:8. (1.) How
the benevolence of God is exhibited to us ... (4.) The ingratitude and baseness ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter ix meditation.htm

The Dispensation of the Divine Favours Reconciled with the ...
... very least, be guilty of the most criminal ingratitude. ... although the defenders of
this doctrine often declare that ... reprobate, it would have been exhibited on a ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter v the dispensation of.htm

Byzantine Empresses Theodora ii. , Theophano, Zoe, Theodora iii.
... her more celebrated predecessor Irene, Theodora exhibited a masterful ... and showed
both insolence and ingratitude toward the ... secret murders had so often occurred ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/xiii byzantine empresses theodora ii.htm

The Life of Anne Catherine Emmerich
... in the church weeping over the sins and ingratitude of men ... Later the skin often rose
in blisters on this place ... All the phenomena exhibited in the person of Anne ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/the life of anne catherine.htm

The Christ of the Gospels. By Rev. Professor Schaff.
... He exhibited a uniform elevation above the objects ... face a superior army, are often
thrown off ... weakness and infernal wickedness, of ingratitude, desertion, injury ...
/.../the christ of the gospels.htm

Of the Five Sacraments, Falsely So Called. Their Spuriousness ...
... bread and wine under which the Lord's Supper is exhibited? ... ages, and cures their
sicknesses as often as there ... owing, in some measure, to the ingratitude of men ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 19 of the five.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... a nation after an undue strain, often causing its ... was as vindictive as the ingratitude
which prompted it ... Assyria fully confirms the character exhibited by his ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... For you know, said he to me, nature can do no less but entertain the living with
many a heavy cogitation in the remembrance of the loss of loving relations. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... of Aquileia at the time of this Apology and maintaining friendly relations with
both ... Up to that time we often saw one another, greeted one another as friends ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /

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Ungrateful: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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