INTRODUCTION

In Bible times, the strongest form of defense was a strong city surrounded by high walls. If a people group or nation had high walls and a strong city, they were extremely difficult to conquer. Though this was good for national defense, the Lord also uses it as a picture of an offended brother. Why was the brother offended? Apparently because of contention. And the Lord likens the contention to bars on the castle. Even if the enemy were able to get into the strong city, it would be almost impossible to break through the bars to enter the castle. In like manner, contention makes it almost impossible to break through to the heart of an offended brother.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) Jacob tricked his father into giving him the blessing which should have been his brother Esau's. Esau hated Jacob and planned to kill him. Jacob had to flee (Genesis 27:41-45 [41] And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob. [42] And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee. [43] Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran; [44] And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother's fury turn away; [45] Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?
  See All...). After 20 years he returned home, still afraid to face Esau (Genesis 32:11Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children.
  See All...). The Lord took care of Esau's bitterness (Genesis 33:4And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.
  See All...).
• Bars of a castle would keep the enemy out, but they could also work as a prison for the one they supposedly protect. How is this a perfect picture of contention?
• Have you offended somebody with contentions? Have you tried to make things right? How is the relationship now? Have you been able to remove the bars of the castle?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to protect you from strife.
• Ask God to give you wisdom to see the dangers of contention.

HYMN

Throw Out the Life-Line

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