Is it better to be second?
Snow and the serpent pt III
From part II:
As God’s plan winds toward a conclusion, the greater and foundational biblical themes increase in focus.
Reversal of fortunes
Last will be first, first will be last
Serving God
Second Sons...
Second sons are often chosen by God to do his work or have favor.
1st-2nd
Cain-Abel
Shem-Ham*/Canaan(see below)
Ishmael-Isaac
Esau-Jacob
Joseph became second of Egypt.
Manasseh-Ephraim
Aaron-Moses
Moses-Joshua
Ruth’s nearest relative-Boaz
Unnamed-Solomon
Vashti-Esther(brides, not sons)
Law-Grace
Israel-Church
Abel made a more acceptable offering to God
*Ham’s firstborn, Canaan was born in the ark, representing the salvation through Christ. Symbolically born in Christ/ark and baptized by the flood; his descendents occupied the Promised Land until the land was, partially, conquered through Joshua.
Isaac came by a promise from God. He was offered back to God, but redeemed by a providential Ram.
Jacob received the firstborn blessing through trickery, after Esau rejected it.
Not Joseph, the first son of Jacob by Rachel the second daughter of Laban. Joseph went to Egypt and rejected the enticement of the wife of Potiphar. He then saved Egypt from famine.
Potiphar means belonging to the sun. So Potiphar’s wife was the wife of the sun
(god). Alternately, Satan enticed Eve and violated the wife of Adam son of the creator God.
Ephraim received a blessing after Jacob chose him over Manasseh
Moses was chosen by God to lead the exodus, but Aaron retained priestly leadership
Joshua was a servant of Moses (a servant of servants) and came to prominence in the defeat of the Amalakites. He was a member of the tribe of Ephraim which went on to control the Northern kingdom. His name means “Yahweh delivered”. This directly reflects the theme of Canaan being delivered symbolically in the ark of Christ. So, Joshua is from the tribe of Ephraim. Joshua was named Hosea, son of Nun. Nun, in Aramaic, means “fish”. He was one of the two witnesses/spies (of twelve) with a good report.
Boaz had to purchase the right of marriage to Ruth from her closest relative.
Solomon was Bathsheba’s second son; the first dying unnamed after seven days. As Canaan was listed last of his siblings, so was Solomon listed last as sons of Bathsheba. Nevertheless, He was selected by God through Nathan the Prophet to succeed David as King. Solomon asked for wisdom, but perhaps did not possess the heart for God that David did.
Grace resulted from the Law, instituted through Moses, overseen by Aaron, fulfilled by Christ
The Church received Christ through Israel, whose priesthood(Aaron) rejected Christ.
Finally! After struggling to wrap all of these connected themes from Snow and the Serpent into one idea, I now see. They all reflect on Christ directly.
Christ Jesus is the first and the last, Alpha and Omega/Aleph and Tav. He came first for the Hebrews and fulfilled the Law. He was rejected, but remained faithful to His heart for God’s purpose. He was resurrected supernaturally. When he rose to the Father He left the Holy Spirit behind to form a new nation and people of those whose heart was for God. These are the second born people of God. This new nation is worldwide and emulates Moses’ position of second born to Aaron. This nation will be delivered to its Promised Land when our Joshua, Jesus, descends (meaning of Jordan) and leads us over. We are born of the ark of Christ, like Canaan, a firstborn, but of the second son of Noah and the second people of God. We are born through Grace, the Law being fulfilled.
Our promised and blessed hope is to reverse our spiritual position and overcome the world and be delivered from it. Now, being covered by the atoning sacrifice of Christ and having a servant’s heart for God, we can say, “Come Lord Jesus!”
GM