The Last and the First: Exploring the Biblical Theme of Firstborn Sons
“So the last will be first, and the first last.” (Matthew 20:16)
In many cultures, especially in the ancient world, a firstborn child receives the largest portion of the father’s inheritance, called a birthright. Most often, the oldest son receives it, but the father could also give it to the oldest daughter if he had no sons (Num 27:11). The father intended the money to help the child continue caring for the family by supplying their needs.
The Bible contains many stories of firstborn children abusing their “blessing.” So God repeatedly chooses a younger sibling, illustrating that the birthright did not necessarily or automatically belong to the oldest or most important child. Naturally, God’s selection often angered the oldest sibling; however, the younger sibling usually abused the birthright, too.
Starting in the Bible’s opening pages and continuing through the New Testament gospels, a “firstborn-second born” theme emerges, illustrating an enormous truth about who inherits God’s eternal blessing.
The First Firstborn Occurrence
The first instance of the “firstborn-second born” theme is quickly found in Genesis 4, in the story of Cain and Abel. They were Adam and Eve’s oldest son.
