God Makes Different Choices

It’s important to note that God chose the younger son. In Exodus 13:11-13, God placed a special claim on the firstborn of man and animals. The nation of Israel, therefore, placed very high value on the oldest son and they assigned special privileges and responsibilities to them.

Traditionally, the Israelites presented the firstborn son to God about a month after birth. He was regarded as God’s property. There was even a redemption price that the father had to pay the priest after the ceremony (Numbers 18:16).

The firstborn son also inherited special rights and privileges. His birthright was at twice the other son’s portion of the estate. He also led the family and became head of household after the death of the father.

In terms of language, the term “firstborn” meant excellence and is applied to Jesus in several New Testament passages.

Applying this understanding of the ancient culture, the man Samuel should have been looking for was Jesse’s firstborn son, Eliab. He should have been the one, the excellent firstborn son who would become the next King.

However, God doesn’t always work the way we think He should work.

The apostle Paul writes in his first letter to the Corinthians:

For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.

Clearly, God is always looking for something different and unique. Paul is saying, “Hey, look around. Sure there are impressive people everywhere. They wear great clothes, they wear expensive jewelry, and they’ve gone to the right schools. They are brilliant and bright. But, folks, God could care less.”

God takes the youngest and turns him into the mightiest. God takes the usual and makes it unusually powerful. That’s God.

Why do you think God chooses differently?

What do you think is God’s definition of the best and the brightest?

This Blog was an excerpt from David: A Guided Journal into the Life of a Man after God’s Own Heart.