Deuteronomy 21:15-2115If 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: 16Then 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: 17But 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. 18If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: 19Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; 20And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. 21And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear. (Deuteronomy 21:15‑21)
IN THIS passage the Lord deals with one of the many evils that resulted from a man having more than one wife. Supposing a man had two wives, one loved and the other hated, and had children by both. If his firstborn son was by the hated one, the son was not to lose his rights as firstborn because his father preferred the other wife and her children. The double portion, which was the right of the firstborn, was to go to the first son of the hated.
Jacob long before the law was given had acted differently to this, for Joseph, son fo Rachel whom he loved, was preferred above Reuben, his firstborn, son of Leah. But that was because Reuben had sinned and forfeited the inheritance (Gen. 49:44Unstable 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. (Genesis 49:4)).
We believe, however, that there is a wonderful typical significance here which shines in the midst of all man's weakness and failure. God chose Israel first, we know, but afterwards, because of her sin, the Gentiles became the objects of His love and mercy. Nevertheless, He has not forgotten Israel, and the little remnant in the coming day will enter into and possess all the double portion of the firstborn son. They will inherit the fullest earthly blessing. How faithful God is to His precious Word!
But in contrast to this we have the case of the "stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother." He was to be brought before the elders; "And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put away evil from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear."
In the rebellious son we have a picture of the terrible end of the disobedient and rebellious in Israel, who refuse the voice of God and will perish in His judgment.
What a solemn thing it is for a son cr daughter to maintain a stubborn and rebellious attitude toward his or her parents. Surely "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." 2 Tim. 3:1616All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy 3:16). God has much to say about disobedience and rebellion in Scripture. "Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to obey is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry." 1 Sam. 15:22,2322And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king. (1 Samuel 15:22‑23).
Messages of the Love of God 8/10/1975