Hebraic Heritage Radio Podcasts

Adam was a firstborn and also functioned as high priest. Before the Levites took the office of high priest, it was the firstborn that offered sacrifices. Adam passed the birthright/High priest role to Shem. Shem died and passed on the firstborn/king/priest role to Abraham. Abraham died and passed on the firstborn/priest role to Isaac. Isaac died and passed on the firstborn/king/priest role to Jacob. Jacob has the firstborn/birthright and priestly role and the blessing that comes with it. Rabbinical writings say that Jacob keenly desired the role for a godly purpose, whereas Esau did not value the firstborn birthright and priestly role. God approved of it, and calls Jacob “my son”, and conferred upon him firstborn status. Exodus 4: 22 states: And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: Jacob possessed the position of king, priest, and firstborn. Had Reuben not disgraced himself with his conduct with Bilhah, as the firstborn, Reuben would have assumed the role