Brothers and sisters, today’s topic for Treasures for the Soul is The Blessing of the Firstborn: a Double Portion of the Blessings. In Genesis 48 and 49, Jacob blessed Joseph and his two sons according to God’s will. Joseph received a double portion of the blessings—that of the firstborn; that is, among the twelve tribes of Israel, two belonged to Joseph: the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. 1 Chronicles 5:1-2 mentioned two times that the birthright belonged to Joseph. Today, we also need to learn how to live our lives, to enjoy the blessings of the firstborn.

Brothers and sisters, today’s topic for Treasures for the Soul is The Blessing of the Firstborn: Kingship. In Genesis chapter 49, Jacob blessed his sons according to the will of God. Reuben had lost the blessing of the firstborn due to his lustful indulgence. So, the blessing of the firstborn was given to other sons: the priesthood and its blessing were given to Levi, and the kingship and its blessing were given to Judah. Both David and Solomon were of the tribe of Judah. After Israel was divided into two kingdoms, the southern kingdom was Judah. Furthermore, Revelation chapter 5 mentions that the Lord is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the King of kings.

Brothers and sisters, today’s topic for Treasures for the Soul is The Lord is the Firstborn. Luke chapter 2 mentions that the Lord was also the firstborn according to the flesh. That’s why His parents on earth brought Him up to the temple and offered a sacrifice for Him. Colossians 1:15-19 mentions that the Lord was the firstborn, and that He was the firstborn from the dead, so that He might be the first in everything. Hebrews 1:1-6 talks about how the Lord was preeminent in all aspects, and that He was the firstborn. It’s so precious that we are deeply united with the Lord. In many different aspects, we are like Him. For example, we can be priests and kings, and we can judge the world and inherit all things.

Brothers and sisters, today’s topic for Treasures for the Soul is To be united with the Lord and become the Firstborn. Romans 8:14-17 says that we are led by the Spirit of God. What we received was no longer the spirit of slavery, but the Spirit of adoption as sons. And so we can cry naturally, “Abba! Father!” We’ve all become heirs of God, and fellow heirs with Christ. Romans 8:28-29 mentions that God causes all things to work together for good, and it also tells us that the Lord is the firstborn among many brothers. He is the firstborn of the firstborn, and we are the assembly of the firstborn. Not only are we conformed to the Lord’s image, we also receive special blessings that are tremendous.

Brothers and sisters, today’s topic of Treasures for the Soul is Israel is God’s Firstborn Son (Part 2). Isaiah chapter 60 says that Israel will be the head of all nations in the Millennium. And chapter 66 says that Israel shall remain forever, as the new heavens and the new earth shall remain. As Revelation chapter 21 says, there will be different nations in eternity. All nations shall give glory to New Jerusalem. God’s will mentioned in Genesis will be fulfilled to the fullness! Acts chapter 1 also mentions that Israel will be restored. The church is even more precious because the church will reign with the Lord forever.

Brothers and sisters, today’s topic of Treasures for the Soul is Israel is God’s Firstborn Son (Part 1). Exodus chapter 1 talked about how Pharaoh wanted all the sons of the Hebrews killed. In chapter 4, God personally said that Israel was His firstborn son. In chapters 11 to 13, God set up the Passover for the Israelites, to redeem their firstborn with the blood of the lamb. It also mentions that whatever was the first to open the womb, both of man and of beast, should be His. Satan has always wanted to attack the Israelites, but God would raise them up to be a blessing to all nations. Today, we have been bought and ransomed with a high price, that is, His precious blood. We shall offer ourselves to Him, and to Him alone.

Brothers and sisters, today’s topic for Treasures for the Soul is The Lord redeemed us to be the firstborn (Part 2). Exodus chapter 13 instructs the Israelites to consecrate to God all the firstborn among Israel, and every firstborn of a donkey shall be redeemed with a lamb. This symbolizes that we shall belong to the Lord and shall be redeemed by Him. To redeem us, the Lord walked up to the cross, sacrificed Himself, and shed his blood for us. The Book of Galatians says that we not only have been redeemed, but we have also received adoption as sons and the Holy Spirit has been sent to us. Being the firstborn is related to the priesthood. 1 Peter chapter 2 says we are a royal priesthood. Not only do we serve God, but we are also a blessing to everyone throughout all generations. God will receive His glory in the church throughout all generations forever and ever.

Brothers and sisters, today’s topic for Treasures for the Soul is The Lord redeemed us to be the firstborn (Part 1). In the Old Testament, God set up for the Israelites the Passover, which is a very important and meaningful feast. Exodus chapter 12 talks about the lamb of the Passover. It symbolizes the Lord is the lamb of God, who would offer and sacrifice Himself for man. Exodus chapter 4 says that the people of Israel is God’s firstborn son. The Israelites are indeed very blessed. In the Millennium and in eternity, they will be the head of all nations, a blessing to other nations on the earth. But we are even more blessed because we are the church of the firstborn. We will reign with the Lord in new Jerusalem all through eternity!

Brothers and sisters, today’s topic for Treasures for the Soul is The Blessing of the Firstborn (Part 2). We should treasure our precious identity as the firstborn of God. In the Old Testament times, according to Deuteronomy 21, the firstborn receives a double portion of the inheritance. The New Testament speaks of our heritage. Revelation 21 says that we, the ones who conquer, will have this heritage. Romans 4 says that we will be the heirs of the world. 1 Corinthians 3 says that all things are ours. Romans 8 says that we are fellow heirs with Christ. With the Lord Jesus, God graciously gives us all things. What we inherit is much more than just a double portion of the inheritance! In fact, we’ve inherited the greatest blessing in the whole universe.

Brothers and sisters, today’s topic for Treasures for the Soul is The Blessing of the Firstborn (Part 1). The firstborn is a very important concept to the Israelites. Hebrews chapter 12 mentions Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. You can find the whole story in Genesis 25, which mentions that Esau despised his birthright. The firstborn will receive a double portion of the inheritance, as well as a special blessing from his father. Genesis 27 talks about how Jacob deceived Esau and stole the blessing of the firstborn. Today, we should especially treasure being the firstborn of God and the blessings of it.