There is a sign in front of a local church that reads: “God loves everyone. No exceptions.”
That noble sentiment accords with my beliefs but blatantly conflicts with my studies of the
Book of Genesis. The God of Genesis plays favorites and chooses one brother over others in
every generation from Cain and Abel to Joseph and his brothers. While Genesis honestly
depicts the human disasters that result from this favoritism, the authors also view chosenness
as essential to the divine plan. Why is that their view? Why do they view God and parents as
choosing some children over others? How are we to read these stories and make sense of what they have to teach us?