3: He Speaks of His Firstborn Son

Jun 10, 2018
3 min read

Updated: Jun 26

The Firstborn Was a Big Deal

In our modern world, being the oldest child might not mean much. But in the ancient world, the firstborn son was everything.

He was the family’s legal representative, its primary heir, and its spiritual head. When the father died, the firstborn stepped into his shoes. He protected the widows, managed the inheritance, and stood before God on behalf of the entire household.

This position was permanent. It could not be casually revoked. Even if the firstborn son was unpopular, he could not be passed over.

Deuteronomy 21:17 says: “He shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.”

So when God speaks about His “firstborn son,” He is speaking about something sacred. Something legally binding. Something that carries the weight of eternity.

Israel: God’s Firstborn Son

When God called Israel out of Egypt, He declared something remarkable:

“Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn” (Exodus 4:22).

The same title. The same office. The same responsibility. But now, on a national level.

God was saying: “Israel, you hold the same position in my family as Pharaoh’s firstborn holds in his. You are my heir. My representative. My priest and king among the nations.”

This was a staggering declaration. But it came with a warning: if Pharaoh refused to let God’s firstborn go, Pharaoh’s own firstborn would die.

The Death of the Firstborn

When Pharaoh refused, the firstborn of Egypt died. Every household lost its heir. The land was plunged into mourning.

But Israel was spared — because of the blood of the Lamb applied to the doorposts.

This was a picture of something greater: the true Firstborn who would come to redeem His people.

Jesus: God’s Firstborn Son

Centuries later, another Firstborn arrived — not from Egypt, but from heaven.

Jesus is called the “firstborn of all creation” (Colossians 1:15). He is the “firstborn from the dead” (Colossians 1:18). And He is the only begotten Son of God.

He came to succeed where Israel failed. He came to succeed where Cain failed. He came as the true Firstborn — the one who would restore the inheritance that was lost at the fall.

Two Sides of the Same Coin

Israel and Jesus share the same firstborn status. They are two sides of the same firstborn coin.

Israel is God’s firstborn on a national level.
Jesus is God’s firstborn on a personal level.

From the Old Testament perspective, Israel is called out of Egypt and lives because of the blood applied at Passover.

From the New Testament perspective, Jesus is called out of Egypt to die as the Lamb of God.

Because of Jesus’ blood, Israel lives as one national firstborn body.

What This Means for You

The firstborn office points to something deeper — something that matters for every person, not just the firstborn.

We are all born into the family of fallen Adam. We all share in the curse of sin and death. But God has provided a way of escape — through the sacrifice of His own Son.

Through Christ, the eternal inheritance is secured. Through Christ, divine mercy is extended to all sinners — not just the firstborn.

Reader’s Clue: If Israel and Jesus share the same firstborn status, what does that tell you about God’s plan for the family? And where do you fit in that story?

Questions or pushback? I would love to hear from you. Feel free to leave a comment or contact me through the website.

Further Reading:

- Exodus 4:22-23 (Israel as firstborn)

- Colossians 1:15-18 (Jesus as firstborn of creation and resurrection)

- Matthew 2:13-15 (The flight to Egypt and fulfillment of Hosea)

- Galatians 3:26-29 (All believers are children of God in Christ)

For the full, in-depth study, including the technical details and Scriptural evidence, please see my book, “HIS-Story Through HIS-Bloodline: The Genesis Pre-Flood Prophecy of the Ages.” This blog article is a simplified introduction to the concepts explored in depth therein.