Sometimes being first is not an advantage. The first one is often not the chosen one.
Abel was the second-born son of Adam and Eve, but he brought a more excellent offering to God than Cain, the firstborn. When Cain murdered him, Abel's blood cried out to God. Cain was marked as a murderer for the rest of his life.
Seth was the third-born of Adam and Eve. Seth's lineage survived the great flood because Seth's direct descendant was Noah.
Isaac was the second-born of Abraham's sons, but he was the son of the covenant between God and Abraham. He was the son God promised to Abraham and Sarah.
Jacob was the second-born of Isaac and Rebekkah's twins, but he was the son God used to give rise to the nation of Israel.
Rachel was the second wife of Jacob, but she was his true love. He loved her so much that after being tricked into marrying Rachel's older sister Leah, Jacob was willing to work another seven years to have Rachel as his wife.
Joseph was Jacob's eleventh son, the first-born of Jacob's true love Rachel. Joseph was Jacob's favorite son, and that blatant favoritism prompted envy and hatred in the hearts of Joseph's ten half-brothers. Their distain for Joseph initiated a series of events that positioned him to save the nation of Israel from seven years of famine.
Moses was not the firstborn son in his household, but he was the one God chose to lead Israel out of Egyptian captivity.
David was the youngest of Jesse's eight sons. He was of so little significance to Jesse that Jesse did not present him to Samuel when the prophet came to anoint a new king of Israel. But David was God's choice for king.
Solomon was not the firstborn of David's sons, but he was the one chosen to succeed David. Solomon was the one God chose to build his temple.
Jesus was the last Adam.
The first Adam was created from the dust of the earth.
The last Adam is the only begotten Son of the Father.
The first Adam disobeyed God.
The last Adam was obedient, even to death on the cross.
The first Adam brought death and spiritual separation from God.
The last Adam came so that men could have life more abundantly and everlasting life with God.
1 Corinthians 15:45
And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.Matthew 20:16
So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen."
Don't worry about being first. It's more important to be chosen.
Share the health.
Deborah White, MD, MBA
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