More Than Birth Order: Genesis 48:1-11
Whether we are first, last, or somewhere in between, it is our heart and the depth of our relationship with Him that matters most. What God desires from us is a meaningful relationship. He desires our humble heart and our recognition that we are unable to save ourselves. As Micah 6:8 declares,
He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
The story of the patriarchs is wrapping up in Genesis. Jacob is coming to the end of his life. He wants to make sure Joseph is taken care of in the proper manner. As such, he reaches back into his experience and repeats a common theme among God’s development.
Jacob doesn’t honor the birthright pattern we typically find in societies from that region. Normally, the firstborn receives a double portion of the inheritance while the younger siblings receive a smaller portion. Sometimes the portions dwindle in size as the order descends. That is not what happens here with Jacob.
Jacob calls Joseph to him and invites his sons to come with him. Jacob claims Ephraim and Manasseh to ensure Joseph is the one who receives a double portion. Joseph’s offspring will each receive their own share; Joseph will receive a double portion of Jacob’s inheritance.
There are many reasons why Jacob chose Joseph. The most obvious is Joseph was his first-born from Rachel. Joseph is not Jacob’s firstborn son, but he is the firstborn son from his favorite wife. One of his last acts is still an act of favoritism.
Another reason Jacob chooses Joseph is tradition: Jacob was also chosen over Esau. Granted, Esau sold his birthright to Jacob; it was not Isaac’s choice to bless Jacob over Esau. This applies to Jacob’s children, too. Reuben lost his privilege when he took his father’s concubine as his own. Then Simeon and Levi massacre the town of Shechem, causing them to fall from favor. Finally, Judah sells Joseph to the Ishmaelites. Jacob has reason to overlook his older sons.
This pattern didn’t really start with Jacob and Esau, however. In the first family, Abel was chosen over Cain. Even Seth was chosen ahead of Cain! Abraham was younger than Haran, and probably younger than Nahor as well. Isaac was chosen over Ishmael. For most of the significant members of God’s people from Adam to Jacob, it appears a younger child is favored to the older.
God makes a significant theological point here. In practically all the civilizations of the Levant, being first-born was an automatic win. With God, the order we come to Him is not the most important factor. God cares for our relationship with Him. Whether we are first, last, or somewhere in between, it is our heart and the depth of our relationship with Him that matters most.
