But Joseph was upset when he saw that his father placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head. So Joseph lifted it to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.  “No, my father,” he said. “This one is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.” (Genesis 48:17-18 NLT)

God's sovereign will does not always choose by order of nature.   God often picks the younger over, the older, and those seemingly less qualified over others.

Manasseh was Joseph's oldest son.  The first-born always was the first to receive their inheritance.  In modern-day monarchies, the eldest son or daughter is first in line to the throne, not so with God.  Remember, Isaac was chosen before Ishmael, Jacob before Esau, Moses before Aaron, and David before his elder brothers.  God does not choose based on birth order, the education degrees we possess, or the affection that others' may place upon us.  He decides as he pleases.  That is why we call him God.

Joseph was upset because Jacob, his Father, was ignoring the rule of natural succession in his family.  Today, we get angry because someone is picked for leadership that may be less well-positioned, or seemingly less qualified than others.  We can be particularly distressed when that choice is someone else before us.

One of the most freeing things I have ever learned is that I don't always have to be first.  God calls us through the grace bestowed upon us through our gifts and natural abilities. These gifts and talents are commensurate with our level of calling.  It is not about our age or position in an organization, but God's sovereign will.  God knows where we will be most effective and fulfilled.  Grace always prevails over nature.

I worked for seventeen years as a missionary with Youth With A Mission.  My missionary work has taken me to Mexico, Canada, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Spain, and Ukraine.  I hold a Masters of Education in curriculum and instruction from Virginia Commonwealth University.  [email protected]