IS THE FIRST BORN CURSED ?
Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi
Genesis. 49:3 -4 "Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch. "
The theology that says the first-born child going through life's difficulties is a victim of the curse of the firstborn is unfounded in scripture and counter-productive. Those who teach this often make reference to Gen.49:3-4 to buttress their claim. For there to be a curse, there has to be a justifiable cause for it. It is important that a clear distinction be made between a curse and the trials of life. The word 'curse' is the Hebrew word 'Arar' which means to be: hated ,despised as in Genesis 12:3" ..and curse him that curseth thee:.... " God does not hate the first-born child but loves them (John3:16). When and how a child is born and nurtured is not determined by the child .God instructs parents to train children in the way of the lord and when they grow, they shall not depart from it.
As part of the human formative process, we are placed under tutors or mentors and they play a significant role in our promotion . The scriptures says in Galatians 4:1-2 "Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. " This means there is an appointed time for the manifestation of our blessings : to everything, there is a time and a season . This is determined by the heavenly father and it differs from person to person; no two persons have the same destiny.
God requires that we abide by the rules of the laws of life, Rom.8:2 says " For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. " this means there are two laws that governs life, the law of sin and death and the law of life in Christ Jesus. Before the advent of the dispensation of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ ,the world was under the law of sin and death. Under this law , curses were placed on persons who violated societal laws. These laws were divided into two, divine laws and traditional laws. The divine laws includes the ten commandments given to Moses. Traditional laws were subjective in nature as society evolved ; these laws had divine backing in order to maintain law and order. The scriptures says in Romans 2: 14-15 "For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;). "
For a person to be cursed he or she must have broken the laws of the land and for Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, his crime was that of dishonouring his father . Genesis 35:22 says "And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve:" There was a cause for this curse, a curse needs a justifiable reason to go into effect (Prov.26:2) .This judgment was for Reuben and not all firstborn. Curses and blessings are backed by God and enforced by angels.
The born again Christian has been redeemed from the curse of the Laws and traditions of Moses, and we are under the law of grace which transcends every law and custom . 1cor.6:12 "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." Thus we are not obligated to follow any law and custom that runs contrary to the laws of grace therefore we cannot be under any curse for refusing to disobey God. There are negative consequences for rebelling against one's parents in the lord (Eph.6. 1-3) that does not mean one gets cursed by God for it. Jesus has redeemed us from all curses by receiving upon himself all the hatred God had for humanity (Galatians.3:13).That does not mean that if we placed our hands on a hot stove we would not get burnt.
Most firstborn were not given the same opportunities like their siblings because they were born during the struggling years of their parents, unlike siblings who were born with better opportunities. This is the reason behind the gap between the first-born from struggling families and their siblings. Parents expect too much from most firstborn thus they do not feel loved and it affects their performers in skill development. There are many firstborns from wealthy and non-christian families who are making a headway in life therefore it will be untrue to say all first-born are under a curse. The blessing of Jesus Christ upon the born-again Christian includes protection against curses (Ephesians 1:3-4,Col.1:12-13) therefore, the firstborn is blessed in Jesus Christ.
Prayer : Heavenly Father forgive me for my sins against you, i believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation ,I receive Him as lord and saviour and receive the Holy Spirit and grace to overturn every evil prophesy over my life in Jesus name.
Genesis. 49:3 -4 "Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch. "
The theology that says the first-born child going through life's difficulties is a victim of the curse of the firstborn is unfounded in scripture and counter-productive. Those who teach this often make reference to Gen.49:3-4 to buttress their claim. For there to be a curse, there has to be a justifiable cause for it. It is important that a clear distinction be made between a curse and the trials of life. The word 'curse' is the Hebrew word 'Arar' which means to be: hated ,despised as in Genesis 12:3" ..and curse him that curseth thee:.... " God does not hate the first-born child but loves them (John3:16). When and how a child is born and nurtured is not determined by the child .God instructs parents to train children in the way of the lord and when they grow, they shall not depart from it.
As part of the human formative process, we are placed under tutors or mentors and they play a significant role in our promotion . The scriptures says in Galatians 4:1-2 "Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. " This means there is an appointed time for the manifestation of our blessings : to everything, there is a time and a season . This is determined by the heavenly father and it differs from person to person; no two persons have the same destiny.
God requires that we abide by the rules of the laws of life, Rom.8:2 says " For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. " this means there are two laws that governs life, the law of sin and death and the law of life in Christ Jesus. Before the advent of the dispensation of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ ,the world was under the law of sin and death. Under this law , curses were placed on persons who violated societal laws. These laws were divided into two, divine laws and traditional laws. The divine laws includes the ten commandments given to Moses. Traditional laws were subjective in nature as society evolved ; these laws had divine backing in order to maintain law and order. The scriptures says in Romans 2: 14-15 "For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;). "
For a person to be cursed he or she must have broken the laws of the land and for Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, his crime was that of dishonouring his father . Genesis 35:22 says "And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve:" There was a cause for this curse, a curse needs a justifiable reason to go into effect (Prov.26:2) .This judgment was for Reuben and not all firstborn. Curses and blessings are backed by God and enforced by angels.
The born again Christian has been redeemed from the curse of the Laws and traditions of Moses, and we are under the law of grace which transcends every law and custom . 1cor.6:12 "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." Thus we are not obligated to follow any law and custom that runs contrary to the laws of grace therefore we cannot be under any curse for refusing to disobey God. There are negative consequences for rebelling against one's parents in the lord (Eph.6. 1-3) that does not mean one gets cursed by God for it. Jesus has redeemed us from all curses by receiving upon himself all the hatred God had for humanity (Galatians.3:13).That does not mean that if we placed our hands on a hot stove we would not get burnt.
Most firstborn were not given the same opportunities like their siblings because they were born during the struggling years of their parents, unlike siblings who were born with better opportunities. This is the reason behind the gap between the first-born from struggling families and their siblings. Parents expect too much from most firstborn thus they do not feel loved and it affects their performers in skill development. There are many firstborns from wealthy and non-christian families who are making a headway in life therefore it will be untrue to say all first-born are under a curse. The blessing of Jesus Christ upon the born-again Christian includes protection against curses (Ephesians 1:3-4,Col.1:12-13) therefore, the firstborn is blessed in Jesus Christ.
Prayer : Heavenly Father forgive me for my sins against you, i believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation ,I receive Him as lord and saviour and receive the Holy Spirit and grace to overturn every evil prophesy over my life in Jesus name.
Prayer / counseling + 2348098536911 + 2348035536911 Email : Michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com
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