Why did God create brothers?

"They help sisters catch bugs," says Katherine, age 7.

Actually, it's to bug sisters, says Chelsie, 11: "God created brothers so they could annoy their sisters to death. He also created them so their dads could have something to do when they get home from work such as sports. If God had made only sisters, dads would be really bored."

Manasi, 7, has a different slant: "God created brothers because sisters don't get along."

OK, we've got the annoying brother and the referee brother. Marshall, 11, introduces us to the Rocky Balboa brother: "If you have a big brother, it is to beat you up when you annoy him. Sometimes he is nice, but it's because your parents make him be nice."

All right, enough with bugs, bugging and bullying. "God created brothers to ride bikes and to dig up stumps," says David, 6. There's more, says Emily, 5: "So people can grow up, paint houses and fix roofs."

It's not about bikes, stumps and houses, says Adrienne, 7: "God created brothers so they can keep the grass looking good."

Hey, if it weren't for lawns, boys wouldn't have any money.

"God also created brothers so someone could watch or protect their sisters," says Nathan, 10. "God was smart to create brothers."

Protection is one thing, but revenge is another. "Brothers help you get revenge at people," says Adrienne, 10.

Adrienne, I suggest you read the story of Dinah, the daughter of Jacob (Genesis 34). It's not a pretty picture.

Dinah's brothers, Simeon and Levi, hatched a plot to revenge their sister's honor. They promised Shechem that he could take Dinah as his wife if he and his people would become circumcised. Because Shechem was the prince of the Hivite people and Dinah was the daughter of Jacob, the two peoples would become one.

It sounds like a sweet ending, except that the brothers had no intention of keeping their agreement. They murdered Shechem and the Hivite men while they were recovering from circumcision. On his deathbed, Simeon and Levi's father called them "instruments of cruelty" because they killed in anger.

When you or someone you love has been greatly wronged, you'll be tempted to take matters into your own hands. Resist the temptation. Revenge will rise up to bite you every time. Let God be God. "'Vengeance is mine, I will repay,' says the Lord" (Romans 12:19). He knows exactly how to administer perfect justice. Don't get in the way.

"I think God created brothers so their other brother or sister won't be lonely," says Kayla, 10. "I would love to have a big brother because I like what boys do, and I would look up to him."

A big brother can have a tremendous influence in the lives of his younger brothers and sisters. They naturally look up to him.

"The brother I have is the brother Jesus wants me to love, and I love him," says Jordan, 7.

Think about this: If your brother has wronged you, remember how God loved and pursued you in spite of your offenses against him.

Memorize this truth: "A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a castle" (Proverbs 18:19).

Ask this question: Do you love your brother?

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