Firstborn / Birthright / Double portion
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Deuteronomy 21:15-17

If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated: Then it shall be, when he maketh (makes) his sons to inherit that which he hath, (has) that he may not  make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn: But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his. If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: (Gen 49:4; 1Ch 5:1).

I.  If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated
    A.  God was a husband unto Israel / Firstborn
    B.  JESUS (God manifest in the flesh) gave Himself as the first Adam  gave himself for Eve to be his
          Bride / wife (Gentile / Bride as Ruth in Esther /  Hated /  but the Church was God's purpose

II.  When it came time for the inheritance the hated son received the birthright

I.   Cain was the firstborn
     A.  Killed Abel
     B. Seth took Abel's place as firstborn

II.  Reuben was the first-born of the patriarchs, and so the priesthood of the tribes belonged to him. That honour was, however, transferred by God from Reuben to Levi (Num 3:12,13; 8:18).(Gen 49:4; 1Ch 5:1).

III.  Esau transferred his birth-right to Jacob (Gen 25:33).

IV.  The children of Israel

V.   (4)  NOTE: How Jacob was was selected before Jacob and Esau were born.
                            (divine selection / election) Rom.9:8-33
         That no flesh  should glory in His presence

00.  (2Ch 21:3). By divine appointment, however, David excluded Adonijah in favour of Solomon.

00. JESUS / "first-born" and "first-begotten" as applied to the Messiah (Rom 8:29; Col 1:18; Hbr 1:4-6). As first-born he has an inheritance superior to his brethren, and is the alone true priest. Firstborn among many brethren

00.  The Church

00. The man child - beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.

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