But his sons didn’t take after him; they were out for what they could get for themselves, taking bribes, corrupting justice. I Samuel 8:3 (TM)

This is a theme that runs throughout scripture. The children of leaders are given positions of leadership, but they don’t follow in their parents’ footsteps. In some cases they don’t have the gifts. In most cases they don’t have the heart. Eli, Samuel, David, Solomon follow this theme – just to name a few. The theme runs through most of the historical books of the Old Testament. Family relationships are complicated enough, but they get even more complicated when they become part of business, political and/or religious organizations.

Flickr photo courtesy of Trevor Blake