Why The Firstborn Has Double Portion

Deuteronomy 21:15-17
15 “If a man has two wives, one loved and the other unloved, and they have borne him children, both the loved and the unloved, and if the firstborn son is of her who is unloved,
16 then it shall be, on the day he bequeaths his possessions to his sons, that he must not bestow firstborn status on the son of the loved wife in preference to the son of the unloved, the true firstborn.
17 But he shall acknowledge the son of the unloved wife as the firstborn by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.

According to the Law of Moses, the firstborn son of a father is entitled to receive a double portion of his father's inheritance. The inheritance rules have provisions to ensure that the husband with more than one wife will not give the firstborn status to the son of the loved wife if he is not the true firstborn.

Why did God institute such a law? He did it to promote law and order, and also to provide for those in need. When a father died, his inheritance was divided. The true firstborn son was given a double portion, twice as much as the other sons.

In the Jewish culture, women did not own estates or properties. Thus for their livelihoods, they had to rely on their male relatives, typically their fathers if unmarried or their husbands if married. After the death of the father, any unmarried sisters or widowed sisters without children, would have to depend on their oldest brother for their daily needs. That’s why the firstborn was given a double portion so that he could care not only for his own immediate family, but also for his extended family in his late father’s stead. The double portion was given so that the firstborn would fulfill his responsibilities of leading the household when the father passed away.

This birthright of the firstborn could be sold or forfeited by the firstborn himself. His own foolish acts could alienate the firstborn rights while his father's preference or prejudice could not. Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of lentil stew (Genesis 25:33). Reuben forfeited his firstborn birthright because he dishonored his father by sleeping with one of his father’s wives. His birthright was then given to his half brother, Joseph (1 Chronicles 5:1).

Exodus 4:22
Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Israel is My son, My firstborn.

Why did God choose and call Israel to be His firstborn son? I believe the reason is in the Abrahamic Covenant.

Genesis 12:1-3
1 Now the LORD had said to Abram:
“Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.
2 I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Israel is God's firstborn son, and is given the double portion inheritance rights so that he shall be a blessing, and in him all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

2 Kings 2:9
And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?”
Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”

Why did Elisha ask for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit? He did not desire to be doubly blessed in material and worldly things to enjoy life himself. He desired to be doubly blessed in spiritual things so that he could serve his God and his people better. Interestingly, the Bible recorded that Elisha did 28 miracles, twice as many as Elijah who did 14. Elisha’s request for a double portion was a difficult one. But it was honorable as he desired to serve his people. Thus it was granted by the LORD.

Colossians 1:15–18
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Jesus is the firstborn over all creation. He was before all else began. It is His power that holds everything together. And He is first in everything.

As the firstborn over all creation and the Creator of all things, our Lord Jesus inherited more than just a double portion. As the Only Begotten Son of God, Jesus has become heir over all things. Through the goodness of our Abba Father, our Lord Jesus Christ now shares His inheritance with His followers. We have become heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.

Romans 8:16-17
16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

If we share the sufferings of Christ, we will also share His glory. God has reserved a glorious inheritance in heaven for us.

Revelation 14:4
These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.

Though not firstborn, we are now firstfruits. Knowing this, we must fulfill our responsibilities as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. Blessing others as God has blessed us, and becoming a blessing to the people around us! As each of us do our part, all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

Written on: 1 July 2020