04/22/12 FIRSTBORN

04/22/12 FIRSTBORN

I explained to the children today that in the Bible the "Firstborn son" received a "double portion of the inheritance. If 100 was divided by three, the firstborn would get 50 and the other two would get 25 each. This was because firstborn sons had special obligations and responsibilities to the other children, including judicial, economic, spiritual.

The Firstborn can be a great blessing or a terrible influence on his younger siblings. Firstborns need to be faithful before God. If they are not, they will incur a special judgment.

FIRSTBORNS REPLACED

Though Esau was Firstborn, he despised his birthright and the place of honor was given to Jacob instead.

Firstborn Reuben was in line as the Firstborn of the sons of Israel, but his misbehavior contributed the Levi becoming the spiritual head of the family.

Israel was given very special standing with God, but the Gentiles became heirs of the promise and have served as God's conduit of grace since the days of the early Church.

Though Adam was the First man, and the head of the human lineage, he failed to give the leadership that the human family needed and he was unable to deliver his descendents from the ravages and the curse of sin. Jesus was the Father's planned Deliverer from the beginning, and He stepped in to do what Adam could not do.

We see this transfer in the fact that Adam is called the First Man, and Jesus is called the Second Man. Adam is called the first Adam, and Jesus is called the Last Adam. Jesus is the Head of the Church, and the King of King, and Great HIgh Priest. Jesus the Messiah is the Prophet and Priest and King over God's people.

UNFULFILLED RESPONSIBILITIES

Firstborns who fail to serve God by leading their siblings in spiritual pursuits should make things right with the one's they failed. Regardless of what an older sibling does in life, the younger children should not allow negative older siblings to corrupt their attitudes or actions.