The custom in the Old Testament was that the older son would receive a greater inheritance than the younger sons. He must acknowledge the first born son, “…by giving him a DOUBLE PORTION of all that he has, for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.” (Deut 21:17) The older son was normally set up to rule over the younger son.
On occasion the Lord would choose the older son to serve the younger, “…the two children struggled with each other in Rebekah’s womb. So she went to ask the LORD about it. “Why is this happening to me?” she asked. And the LORD told her, “The sons in your womb will become two nations. From the very beginning, the two nations will be rivals. One nation will be stronger than the other; and YOUR OLDER SON WILL SERVE YOUR YOUNGER SON.” (Gen. 25:22-23)
This is a type and shadow of what happens in the New Testament because, “…whatever things were written before were written FOR OUR LEARNING, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” (Rom. 15:4) As we know because of Adam’s sin our spiritual man is dead when we are born. That’s why Jesus said, “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be BORN AGAIN.’” (John 3:7) The reason we are born again is, “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…the wages of sin is death…” (Rom. 3:23, 6:23a) so, we need to receive the “…GIFT OF GOD is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23b) That is how we are born again, it is God’s gift to us when we “…REPENT of (turn away from) our sins and turn to God, so that our sins may be WIPED AWAY.” (Acts 3:19)
I was 29 years old when I was born again, my soulish man was in charge all that time and I did whatever made me feel good. Drugs alcohol and all the sinful things that go with that life style. When I was saved my spiritual man came alive and now THE OLDER (my soul) WAS SERVING THE YOUNGER (my spirit). My soul did not give up quietly, thankfully the Holy Spirit helped me overcome and for the past 49 years I have grown stronger in my spiritual man in an AMAZING relationship with my Abba Father.
-Bill Stockham