The Oldest Child

Being the oldest in a family doesn't mean as much to us today as it did in the Old Testament. In Jacob's family, figuring out who had the birthright was a little complicated as there were two wives and two surrogates wives. Chronologically Reuben would have been the oldest child. He would have gotten a double portion of the inheritance and be charged with watching over the family after Jacob's death. The birthright had practical implications for families back then. Reuben however, messed up:

Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.2 For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's:) I Chronicles 5:1-2 

 The father could change the birthright.  As I read about Joseph's visions in Genesis 37, I cannot help but wonder that he was spiritually the one to watch over Jacob's household in God's eyes. Since it wasn't normal custom, somehow God would have to convey and encourage the idea in Joseph's mind.  It does appear a little strange that he shared his visions with his brothers but maybe they needed to know. A lot of things happened in that family as time went on, some of them were really goofy things. Throughout it all, Joseph was the rudder toward success for them. Judah matured as did some of the others because of the way Joseph watched over them. Walking for God requires encouragement and believing. Sometimes it may be misconstrued as arrogance.

The spiritual birthright today is unquestioned in the New Testament order. God clearly designated which of his sons would be Lord over His household.

12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by 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 might have the preeminence.19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; Colossians 1:12-19

Today we belong to the group of those who are 'partakers in the inheritance' because we have accepted the lordship of Jesus Christ. God in His foreknowledge, sees all who make this acknowledgement which opens the doors to  His household with all of its privileges:

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come 39 Nor  height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:29-39