Genesis, Message 29: The Birthright

Crystallization-Study of Genesis, Message 29:

"The Birthright"

The shifting of the birthright

Originally, every man had a birthright. He had the right to express God and represent God (Genesis 1:26). But he has lost the birthright since the Fall of man into sin.

The birthright was again introduced to man in the story of Jacob and Esau. And if we look through the whole bible, we will see that the birthright involves a double portion of the land, the priesthood and the kingship (1 Chronicles 5:102; Deuteronomy 33:8-10; Genesis 49:10). We will also see that there has been shifting of the birthright from the firstborn to another son. It was shifted from Esau to Jacob, from Reuben to Joseph, and from Israel to the church.

The shifting of the birthright from Esau to Jacob.

Esau was the firstborn. However, it was predestinated by God that Jacob would be the one who received the birthright.

10 And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac
11 (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls),
12 it was said to her, "The older shall serve the younger."
13 As it is written, "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated." (Romans 9:10-13 NKJV)

Jacob did not have to do anything to get the birthright. However, because of his greed, he did too much in order to earn it. He bought it from Esau with red stew (Genesis 25:29-34), and deceived his father into giving him the greater blessing, which was for the one who had the birthright. As a result, he could not enjoy the birthright for decades until he was transformed into a prince of God (Genesis 32:28; 35:10).

The shifting of the birthright from Reuben to Joseph

Reuben was the firstborn of Jacob. However, he committed a serious sin, the sin of fornication. He defiled his father's bed (Genesis 39:7-12; 49:3-4). Because of this sin, he forfeited his birthright to Joseph.

Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel --- he was indeed the firstborn, but because he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel, so that the genealogy is not listed according to the birthright (1 Chronicles 5:1 NKJV)

Reuben lost not only the double portion of the land, but also the priesthood and the kingship, which were instead given to Levi (Deuteronomy 33:8-11) and Judah (1 Chronicles 5:2), respectively.

The shifting of the birthright from Israel to the church

Israel people were chosen by God to be the firstborn.

Then you shall say to Pharaoh, 'Thus says the LORD: "Israel is My son, My firstborn. (Exodus 4:22 NKJV)

However, because of their unbelief, the birthright has been shifted to the church.

… to the general assembly and 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 NKJV)

In Romans 11, Paul described Israel as the natural branches of the tree that were broken off, and the believers as the wild olive tree that was grafted in. 

16 For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
17 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree,
18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.
19 You will say then, "Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in."
20 Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. (Romans 11:16-20 NKJV)

Implications concerning the birthright

1. Birthright is given and predestinated by God.

We don't have to do anything to get or earn it. It is a gift from God. All we need to do is just praise the Lord for it and cherish it.

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. (James 1:17-18 NKJV)

2. We need to see the importance of the birthright.

We are really privileged to receive this birthright as a gift from God. This birthright brings us to a threefold experience. We now can fully enjoy Christ as our double portion of the land. We now can exercise our priesthood by doing our priestly duty, which are to contact the Lord and to prayerfully minister Him today. Furthermore, we now can practise our kingship by exercising the God-given authority over His enemies - the flesh, the world and the devil.

These experiences are the foretaste of the blessings in the coming kingdom. They are preparing and qualifying us for the coming age in which we will participate in Christ forever (1 pet 2:5,9; Rev 5:10; 20:4,6)

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10 NKJV)

3. We must not despise or give up our birth right.

14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. (Hebrews 12:14-16 NKJV)

It is noteworthy that birthright and salvation are not the same thing. 

Salvation, in terms of being saved from the lake of fire, is eternal. It is based upon the shed blood of Jesus Christ that has taken away the sin of the world. It totally depends upon believing into Christ and receiving all that He is and has done into our lives. It is so wonderful that everyone who believes can enjoy this eternal salvation, which is by grace through faith.

On the contrary, the birthright is an additional experience for those who have been saved. It is also by God’s grace. It is the full enjoyment of Christ as everything for us. It is a reward. It depends on what we do. Even though we receive it also by the grace of God, it is our responsibility to keep it. We can lose some parts of the enjoyment of the birthright if we despise it as Esau did, or if we are defiled by the sin of this age, as Reuben was. Only the overcomers will receive this full enjoyment, both in this world and the coming kingdom.

Thirayost Nimmanon (Tony)

Further reading

• The Holy Word for Morning Revival: Crystallization-Study of Genesis, week 29.
• Life study of Genesis, Messages 96.