“…that my soul may bless thee before I die.” (Genesis 27:4)
This phrase is used three times in Genesis 27 by Isaac desiring to bless his firstborn son, Esau (Genesis 27:4, 10, 25). Then it is used one time by Jacob (Genesis 27:19). And Esau uses it four times, asking Isaac to bless him (Genesis 27:31, 34, 36, 38).
The Blessing of a father to his firstborn and other male children is first noted here (Genesis 27), of Isaac blessing his two boys, Esau and Jacob. This practice is noted again in Genesis 48, by Jacob blessing Joseph’s two sons; and in Genesis 49, by Jacob blessing his own twelve sons.
This Blessing is actually a confirmation of the Everlasting Covenant to the Children of Promise, the vessels of mercy. It began with God confirming His Everlasting Covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; as they were all types of “The Seed,” Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:16).
The Blessing is tied to the Birthright of the firstborn. The Birthright gave the firstborn son:
- A double portion of the father’s inheritance;
- The rank of priority in the family among his siblings; and
- Also made him the priest of the family.
The Greater Blessing went to the firstborn, unless by God’s Sovereign Selection, it went to another son; such as was the case of Esau and Jacob, Jacob being the second-born son. (See Genesis 25:23; Romans 9:6-24.) See also Joseph’s sons, Manasseh and Ephraim (Genesis 48:1-22); Jacob gave the second-born, Ephraim, the greater blessing over Manasseh, the firstborn (Genesis 48:12-20).
Spiritually, the Greater Blessing points to Christ, the Firstborn:
“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.” (Colossians 1:18)
And even to His Bride, the Church:
“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.” (Romans 8:29)
“To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,” (Hebrews 12:23)
The Greater Blessing came on Christ, the Head of the Church. (See Galatians 3:13-18; especially verses 14 and 16.)
“That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:14)
“Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” (Galatians 3:16)
As Aaron, the high priest, was anointed and thus separated (or set apart) for the priest’s office, to minister before the Lord in the Tabernacle of the Old Testament; and the oil ran down Aaron’s beard and onto his body – so the Spirit of God was upon Christ and His Body, the Church (as was manifested on the Day of Pentecost), without measure. (See Exodus 28:41-43; Matthew 3:16; John 3:34; Colossians 2:9.)
Therefore, being chosen in Christ (Ephesians 1:4-11); being His Dwelling Place (Ephesians 2:20-22; 3:21); being His Body (Ephesians 5:22-33) – the Church, on the Day of Pentecost, was immersed with the Spirit of God (Acts 2).
The Church was later manifested to be made up of not only regenerated Jews, but also Gentiles; bond and free; male and female.
“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:27)
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
“And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:29)
The Promise of the Blessing on Abraham (or on Jesus) was the coming of the Ministry of the Holy Spirit on the Church, both Jew and Gentile (Galatians 3:14). This Ministry is manifested in the Regeneration of sinners by the Holy Spirit, who is God (John 3:3-8; Titus 3:5; John 6:63). Romans 8:14-16 explains the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the sons of God.
Therefore, the Church is the Church of the Firstborn, who has the Birthright and has received the Greater Blessing, even God the Spirit. (See 2 Corinthians 3:1-18; please read, especially 2 Corinthians 3:9-10.)
“For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.” (2 Corinthians 3:9)
“For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.” (2 Corinthians 3:10)
The Birthright and the Blessing were not given to Old Testament Israel, who was the first-born (Exodus 4:22), but who was set aside:
“Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” (Matthew 21:43)
The Birthright and the Blessing were given to the Church of the Firstborn (Christ). (See Hebrews 12:23.) Because Christ, the Firstborn, was to whom the Covenant was made, and was the Receiver of the Inheritance – those who are “in Christ” (Ephesians 1:4-11; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Romans 8:1-16) are those described here:
“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Romans 8:17)
This devotion is to the Church today, to those Born from Above, those who have confessed Christ (Romans 10:9-10) – as the Sacrifice for their sin (Romans 3:24-25); their Substitute (2 Corinthians 5:21); and their Savior (Ephesians 1:7; Romans 5:1-2).
The purpose of this devotion is that these might know the things that Paul prayed for the Church in Ephesus:
“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:” (Ephesians 1:17)
“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,” (Ephesians 1:18)
“And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,” (Ephesians 1:19)
“Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,” (Ephesians 1:20)
“Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:” (Ephesians 1:21)
“And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,” (Ephesians 1:22)
“Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” (Ephesians 1:23)
Pay close attention to verse 18: “…that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints“ (see Colossians 1:27). That is, that the saints (the Church) might know of the Glory of His Inheritance, which is also implanted in them. See John 17:21-24:
“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” (John 17:21)
“And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:” (John 17:22)
“I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” (John 17:23)
“Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” (John 17:24)
In our text, the Birthright and the Greater Blessing went to Jacob by the Sovereign Selection of God. Paul explains this in Romans 9:6-24; 10; 11. Paul called the recipients of Christ’s Inheritance “the children of the promise,” and “the vessels of mercy,” both Jew and Gentile:
“And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,” (Romans 9:23)
“Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?” (Romans 9:24)
If you know this by the Witness of God the Spirit, then confess Him (Romans 10:9-10); and follow Him in Believer’s Water Baptism (Acts 8:36-39). Assemble yourself with Christ’s Church and serve Him unto death; being changed by the Spirit “from glory to glory”:
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Enjoy the Blessing; enjoy Christ and His Communion; and walk in the Spirit, be led of the Spirit, and live in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 18, 25). Then you will bear the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23); and you will live daily in the Victory of the Lamb of God.
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:4)
You will be an “Overcomer” and inherit all things.
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