Throughout the pages of Scripture, a theme emerges that runs counter to human expectation: God’s preference for the younger over the older. While human tradition often places the firstborn son as the natural heir, God’s divine order frequently flips this custom on its head. This pattern is rich in symbolism and foreshadows the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the “firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29). Let’s explore this theme as it unfolds in the stories of Joseph, Jacob and Esau, David, and even in Jesus’ teachings, culminating in His position as the rightful heir with whom we are called to share in His inheritance.
Jacob and Esau: A Battle for Blessing
The account of Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25:23) provides one of the clearest examples of the principle, “the older shall serve the younger.” God declares before their birth: “Two nations are in your womb, two peoples shall be separated from your body; one people shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger.” Despite Esau being the firstborn and entitled to both the birthright and the blessing, it is Jacob, the younger, who receives it through both divine intention and human scheming (Genesis 27). This reversal emphasizes God’s pattern of choosing the unexpected to fulfill His purposes (Romans 9:12-13).
Joseph: The Favored Son
In the account of Joseph, we see a similar theme. Though he was not the youngest, Joseph was far from being the firstborn; he was the eleventh son of Jacob. Yet, he was chosen by God to rise to prominence and lead not just his brothers, but an entire nation (Genesis 37; 41). The dreams given to Joseph in his youth, which provoked jealousy in his brothers, revealed that they would bow down to him—a foretelling of God’s design that disrupted human customs. His life echoes the theme that divine favor and destiny do not align with human hierarchy but with God’s will (Genesis 50:20).
David: The Unexpected King
David’s anointing as king is another powerful example. When Samuel was sent to anoint one of Jesse’s sons, he initially looked at Eliab, the eldest, believing him to be God’s chosen (1 Samuel 16:6). Yet, God’s response was clear: “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). David, the youngest, was chosen instead. This demonstrates that God’s choice often defies human expectations and underscores His ability to exalt the humble (1 Samuel 2:7-8).
The Prodigal Son: The Unexpected Heir
The parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) introduces yet another layer to this theme. Though not directly related to inheritance order, the younger son’s reclamation of his father’s love and grace after squandering his portion ties into the idea that God’s economy of grace often favors those least expected. The older brother’s resentment echoes human frustration at God’s generous and upside-down kingdom, where the last becomes first (Matthew 20:16).
Jesus: The Firstborn Among Many Brethren
Paul’s declaration that Jesus is the “firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29) does not imply that Jesus was the first Christian, as some might misconstrue. Rather, it signifies His preeminence, His status as the One deserving all inheritance. Colossians 1:15 states: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” This means that Christ holds the rights and privileges of the firstborn—He is the heir to all things (Hebrews 1:2). Yet, in His grace, He invites us to become “joint heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17), sharing in the inheritance that He alone deserves.
The Kingdom Principle: The Last Shall Be First
Jesus’ teachings often flipped societal norms, declaring, “So the last will be first, and the first last” (Matthew 20:16). This profound statement aligns with the pattern we see throughout Scripture. The kingdom of God operates not by the standards of human merit or tradition but by divine grace and choice. This truth is woven into the very fabric of salvation: “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty” (1 Corinthians 1:27).
Insights into God’s Redemptive Plan
The pattern of the younger being chosen over the older foreshadows God’s grace-filled salvation plan. Jesus, the rightful firstborn, who humbled Himself and took on human flesh (Philippians 2:5-8), embodies this reversal. Though deserving of all glory and inheritance, He shared His victory with those who would follow Him. “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus… And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:26, 29).
This pattern is not just a detail in individual Bible passages; it reflects the heart of the gospel. God’s ways transcend human traditions and expectations, lifting the humble and setting the unexpected in places of honor. In the Biblical narrative, we who were far off, undeserving of any inheritance, have been brought near and adopted into the family of God (Ephesians 2:13; 1:5).
My Final Thoughts
The accounts of Jacob, Joseph, David, and the prodigal son illustrate that God’s design often places the younger in a place of prominence, showing His grace for those who are humble. Jesus, as the “firstborn among many brethren,” embodies this principle, deserving the full inheritance yet sharing it with us. The teaching that the last shall be first in God’s kingdom reminds us that divine favor is not bound by human standards. We are invited to rejoice in the incredible truth that we are co-heirs with Christ, called to share in the inheritance that He rightfully deserves. In God’s economy, the pattern is clear: grace over merit, and God’s choice over man’s.
