Dr. Barclay with Something to Think Aout - FIRSTBORN

FIRSTBORN

        The term “firstborn” is one that is used often in Scripture. It designates, of course, the one who is born first, whether it be man or animal, and often indicates the privileged position that particular one has in the culture of the land. In Egyptian society, such a person would be expected to be the main leader of the family, the primary protector and provider, and the one who would most likely raise to a position of prominence in the area. The firstborn of Pharaoh would, without doubt, inherit the throne of Egypt.

And it was really no different in Jewish society. The firstborn usually received the father’s blessing and received the birthright of the family. In the Old Testament, the patriarch of the family would often be putting his hand on the head of the firstborn to provide the patriarchal blessing. 

It, then, was in such a setting that God confronted Moses to go to Egypt. Moses, who initially objected, finally relented and agreed to go. And God told him to say to Pharaoh:

“…Israel is My son, My firstborn.

…[L]et My son go that he may serve Me. 

But if you refuse to let him go, indeed I will kill your son, 

your firstborn. 

(Exodus 4:22-23)

But before this came about, God sent 9 previous plagues in an effort to give Pharaoh ample time to adhere to God’s request and possibly avoid the judgement that He initially proclaimed. In the same vein, He has sent many warnings and difficulties in our time in an effort to make us understand the forthcoming ultimate judgement that lies in wait for us all.

God, not being a respecter of person or cultures, often did not follow the Jewish traditions of the rights of the firstborn. Throughout Scripture, for example, He chose Issac over Ishmael, Jacob over the firstborn Esau, David, the youngest son of Jesse, over all of his older brothers, and Judah, the forth of Jacob’s sons, to be leader of the twelve tribes. And through Christ, He made everyone potential joint heirs with Him so that all who may can be firstborn with the rights that go with that designation. So we are all firstborn and part of the…

 

…church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven,

to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect… 

(Hebrews 12:23)

Whereas in human society, the rights of the firstborn belonged to only one in a family, in the eyes of God, we are all firstborn, members of the "church of the firstborn in heaven” (Hebrews 12:23) and as a result heir…

…heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him,

that we may also be glorified together. 

(Romans 8:17)

In considering this, however, we should not forget the ultimate judgement that is coming and the warnings that God sent to Pharaoh before His judgement came. Perhaps we should not ignore the events taking place around us at present and perhaps consider them similar to the warnings God gave to Pharaoh thousands of years ago. The grief we could potentially avoid should give us all something to think about.