Topic: Double Portion [Sunday April 30, 2017]
Text: Deuteronomy 21:10-17
Key Verse: “But 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” (Deuteronomy 21:17).
In every family, there are some special privileges and rights that every firstborn enjoys. It is generally referred to as birthright, which ascribes to the firstborn the privilege of inheritance. This could vary in form or size from one family to another. In some cases, it could be estates willed to the individuals while in others, it could be a little less than that. But whatever the case, it is expected that the recipient attach utmost importance to it. The first son in Israel had the birthright.
This was usually given in a double portion. God commands that whatever the father’s relationship with the mother, whatever scores there are to be settled between a man and his wife, the husband “…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” (Deuteronomy 21:17). There are blessings, promises and privileges attached to birthrights. Esau lost the Abrahamic blessings; Reuben, the blessing of lineage of Jesus Christ and Israel the privilege of undertaking special assignments for God which they ceded to the Levites.
As Christians and members of the family of God, we have birthrights – promises, privileges and rights. We must be watchful and vehemently resist every temptation to despise and give away our birthright. Because the Levites gave themselves unto the Lord, He also gave Himself unto them. In the New Testament dispensation, believers are partakers of the divine nature and holiness is part of the benefits, promises and privileges.
At salvation, we have peace with God when our sins are forgiven; at sanctification, we have the peace of God when the inclination to sin is removed and the adamic nature is purified and purged. The first part of the inheritance is received by confession of faith and the second part by consecration and faith. We should therefore not despise our birthright for temporal need but strive to keep and guard it jealously.
Thought for the day: Do not trade your birthright; it’s doubly packed.
Bible Reading in one Year: 1 Corinthians 15-16
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.