By Babu Tendu In the study of holy scriptures, many theories have been used to describe how we receive the intended message. Among these, the use of Brothers in the Bible to get God’s work done has also been pivotal in evangelism. It highlights to us both the positive and negative consequences of how we choose to live with our brothers.
From the story of Cain and Abel, Esau and Jacob, Ishmael and Isaac, the 12 sons of Jacob, this article sheds light on who they are and how their stories have impacted our lives today.
Here is a list of 5 brothers in the Bible
Cain and Abel
- Books: Genesis 4
These two are by far the most popular brothers in the Bible. Their story defines the true distinction between day and night, love and hate, and the consequences of actions. Cain and Abel were born to the first parents Adam and Eve. Cain was the firstborn and was majorly tasked with working the land while Abel took care of the flocks.
Their story has not only had an impact on Christianity as we know it today but has also played a major role in other religions like Islam and Judaism. Their story reached its heights after they presented their offerings to God. Abel presented the healthiest firstborns of his flocks as offerings but Cain, on the other hand, brought forth rotten fruit. God accepted Abel’s offering but did not look at Cain’s with favor.
This made Cain angry and he killed Abel. This action got him exiled. The Bible does not answer questions about Cain’s death but some scholars of the Bible credit Lamech, his great, great grandson with killing him.
Esau and Jacob
- Books: Genesis 25-36
According to Biblical writings, these two were twins and were the grandchildren of Abraham (The father of faith). The two were twins and their differences as recorded in religious books started while they were still in their mother’s womb. Their story is one that was marked by deceit and manipulation.
One understood the value of a birthright and the other did not. Ironically, the one who understood the value of the birthright was not the one supposed to inherit it from the father. This was Jacob. At one point in the Bible, Esau, who was the rightful firstborn offered his birthright to his brother in exchange for food.
Later we are told that when his father, Isaac wanted to give his blessings to his son Esau but first sent him hunting for food. His mother overheard this conversation and disguised Jacob as Esau and sent him to his father. He was then given the birthright that belonged to Esau. On his return, Esau was angry about the events that took place and this prompted Jacob to exile himself.
Ishmael and Isaac
- Books: Genesis 16-21
These are the two sons of Abraham. They were born 14 years apart and to two different women. Ishmael was born to Hagar and Isaac was born to Sarah. There is no interaction between the two in the Bible.
When Isaac was born, Sarah asked Abraham to send both Ishmael and Hagar away as she feared that Ishmael’s worldly ways could have a negative impact on his newborn child. Abraham was hesitant to do this but God made it easier for him as he told him to let them go as Ishmael would also build his own nation.
Abraham did, and as the story goes on in the Bible we find out that Ishmael went on and lived a quiet life and had many descendants who came to be known as the people of the desert (Arabs and Ishmaelites). Isaac had two sons, Esau and Jacob. Jacob went ahead to father the twelve tribes of Israel.
Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin (Sons of Jacob, also known as the Twelve Tribes of Israel)
- Books: Genesis 29-50, Exodus 1, Joshua 14
Jacob, the son of Isaac had two wives, Rachel and Leah. The first four (Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah) were Leah’s. The last two (Joseph and Benjamin) were Rachel’s. He had other 2 sons with Zilpha (Gad and Asher), who was Leah’s maid, and 2 more sons with Bilhah (Dan and Naphtali), who was Rachel’s maid.
Leah also gave birth to a daughter (Dinah) and 2 other sons later on (Issachar and Zebulun). As for Rachael, she died while giving birth to Benjamin. It is from these children that Jesus’ ancestry is rooted.
Here is the order in which they were born.
Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and finally, Benjamin.
Moses and Aaron
- Books: Exodus 4-40, Leviticus 8-10, Numbers 1-20
Aaron was born three years before Moses. During the exodus, he was appointed by God to be Moses’ spokesman after Moses claimed that he could not communicate well as he was a stammerer.
In the 40 years that Moses was in the wilderness, the Bible does not explicitly explain if the two were in contact. But in Moses’ conversation on the burning bush, God told him that his brother Aaron was on his way to meet him. These two brothers were the tools that were used to deliver the children of Israel from bondage.
God spoke to Moses, Moses spoke to Aaron, and Aaron spoke to the people.
Despite the work that the two did, both of them did not enter the promised land (Canaan) because they were filled with disbelief and disobedience.
Conclusion
The Bible highlights the significance that families hold as the basic foundation of the paths that we take in our lives. We see how strong bonds, like in the story of Moses and Aaron can catapult the speed with which we achieve his plan for our lives. We also see the part that these brothers in the Bible played in the creation of nations and the distribution of people today.