Bible Word of the Day
Birthright (Inheritance and Blessing)
Meaning
During Biblical times the birthright usually consisted of both a material inheritance as well as a spiritual blessing. Though not always the case they could be separate. In addition, it was common in Jewish culture, to the give the eldest or firstborn son a double portion of the birthright over the other children. Often times the spiritual blessing also included future roles of leadership and authority within the family unit. Moreover, royal succession to the throne was also considered part of the birthright of the firstborn son.
However, there was one exception and that was God. The Lord could countermand this privilege and assign the birthright directly in whatever order He chose. For example the birthright of Jesus includes the throne of David, which is a position of honor because of Jesus status as both the Messiah and the Second Person of the Trinity. Another example is Esau and Jacob and how Esau, who was the first born despised his birthright and sold it to Jacob for nothing more than meal he could have prepared himself.
“And Esau said to Jacob, ‘Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.’ Therefore his name was called Edom. But Jacob said, ‘Sell me your birthright as of this day.’ And Esau said, ‘Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?’ Then Jacob said, ‘Swear to me as of this day.’ So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.” (Book of Genesis 25:30-34)
“Then He said: ‘A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger “I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”‘ And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.” (Gospel of Luke 15:11-20)