Deuteronomy 21:15-17, God Breaks the Law
If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated: Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn: 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.
//This interesting law was apparently established to protect the true firstborn’s inheritance. The firstborn was to receive a double portion in his inheritance. Even if a man’s first son comes from a wife that he hates, he must give that son preference.
But doesn’t this precisely describe the situation with Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael? God tells Abraham to send the first-born Ishmael and his mother away into the desert, with nothing but a skin of water, and to give everything to Isaac instead.
In fact, how many more pairs of brothers can you think of where the firstborn is snubbed for a later child, with the favor of God? Here are some more non-firstborns who won God’s approval: Abel, Jacob, Gideon.
Indeed, both the priesthood (Eleazar, Ithamar, Levi) and the kingship of Israel (David, Solomon, Judah) are founded on non-firstborns.
Where did this law come from, if not even God pays it any mind?
7 Comments
Leave a Reply
Fantasy Football, Anyone?
Put on the whole uniform of the Team, that ye may be able to stand against the blitz of oncoming linebackers. Don the hip pads of truth, the shoulder pads of righteousness, the cleats of preparation. Don’t forget the facemask of faith and the helmet of salvation. Then clutch the pigskin with much Spirit, for that is what the Play Book of your Coach in Heaven demands.The River of Life
Twice before Lee Harmon has written about Christian topics, once on the gospel of John and once on the book of Revelation. But the question people keep asking him is this: As a liberal Christian, why do you care so much about the Bible? Others wonder whether he is truly a Christian at all.
The Way It Happened
|
|
| Revelation: A love story gone awry. | The Gospel: A love story set aright. |
What really happened 2,000 years ago? How did a persecuted minority of end-time believers known as Christians, with their dreams of Armageddon and a conquering Messiah named Jesus, evolve into the largest religion in the world? Author Lee Harmon explores the period in which the New Testament was written in his books about John's Gospel and Revelation.
(Bloggers: you may be eligible for a free review copy! Just contact us.)
Connect With Me!
A Top-100 Christian Blog
Named an Exceptional Website for Christian Theologians
Our Top Book Picks
Selected by The Dubious Disciple as Best Religion Books. Don't miss these!
Subscribers:
Twitter Followers
Facebook Fans
16806 Blog Members
354 Circles
603 Goodreads Friends & Fans
The God Show
Lee Harmon interviewed on The God Show about the History Channel's miniseries The Bible and Lee's latest book, John's Gospel: The Way It Happened.
About Lee
Hello! I'm an author, historical Jesus scholar, book reviewer, and liberal Christian, which means I appreciate and attempt to exercise the humanitarian teachings of Jesus without getting hung up on any particular supernatural or religious beliefs.
The Bible is a magnificent book that has inspired and spiritually fed generations for thousands of years, and each new century seems to bring a deeper understanding of life’s purpose. This is true of not only Christianity; through the years, our age-old religions are slowly transforming from superstitious rituals into humanitarian philosophies. In short, we are growing up, and I am thrilled to be riding the wave.
I avidly read all thought-provoking religion titles. New authors: I'd love to read and review your book!
Contact me here.
About Leslie
Hi! While Lee writes the articles and reviews the books, I edit, organize, and maintain the blog. The views expressed here are Lee's but I'm his biggest supporter! :-)
As so many things in the old testament, these examples are typical of us inheriting everlasting life through the second born (spirital life) with in us, not the first born natural.
this is a wonderful set of of observations and questions. for purposes of my own understanding, what are your thoughts on this question: in the case of ishmael, is it possible that he did not inherit because hagar never became abraham’s ‘wife’?
Hagar did become his wife. Read the story. Sara ( later ) Sarah told Abraham to take her ( hagar) as his wife.
That’s a great observation, Aleta.
Andrew, that’s a tough question. There are jumbled stories of Isaac and Ishmael spliced together, but in a touching scene after Abraham dies, the two sons come together to bury their father. Perhaps all was made right in that day.
thx for this, lee. but in any of those ‘jumbled’ stories is hagar ever considered abraham’s wife? i’m thinking this has bearing on whether the narrative actually contradicts deut 21.15-17.
oh, sorry, andrew. For some interesting speculation about that, see here:
http://www.dubiousdisciple.com/2012/09/genesis-251-who-was-abrahams-second-wife.html
excellent – thanks for this link.