Original Broadcast: November 2009
Monthly Theme: Judah's Kings
[Jehoshaphat] gave [his sons] great gifts of silver, gold and valuable possessions ...
but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram,
because he was the firstborn.
When Jehoram had ascended the throne ...
he killed all his brothers with the sword.
(2 Chronicles 21:3-4)
What a loving brother Jehoram was! His allotted inheritance as the firstborn son of the king was the entire kingdom, but he wasn't satisfied with that. He killed all his brothers so that he could gain their inheritance as well. This isn't a surprise since his wife was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. He showed his love for his six brothers by executing them.
Jehoram isn't the model we use as a loving brother. We don't look to someone who makes himself an only child to see a loving brother. We look to the Cross. We look to the font. In both of these places, we see Jesus our loving older brother. Not a brother who kills his younger brothers and sisters. A brother who gives His life and is executed on their behalf. A brother who brings new brothers and sisters into the family. Through Baptism we become children of God. Through Baptism Jesus becomes our brother. A brother who loves us greatly.
A brother who doesn't take our gifts away but urges us in the way that we should use those gifts. A brother who loves the family enough to do everything necessary to keep it united. Thank Him for that great loving gift this morning. Amen.
