In the beginning mankind fell and became sinful. From the beginning God has declared what would, and would not make us acceptable to receive the eternal inheritance.

Eve gave birth to 2 children, Cain and Abel. Cain was born first and toiled to produce an offering for God that was rejected. Abel was the second born and he offered God, what was given to him, by God. Abel’s sacrifice was received by God and this angered the firstborn to slay Abel. Abel ultimately gave himself as an offering to God.

Abraham also had 2 children. Ishmael the one born first was born by natural means. Isaac the second born, was born supernaturally from a promise. Ishmael believed the inheritance belonged to Him and persecuted Isaac. This angered Sarah and she told Abraham to cast them out. As you read the story told by the Spirit of Truth the only child God acknowledged, was Isaac.

Isaac’s wife Rebekah also had 2 children. God declared to Rebekah that these 2 children represented 2 nations. Esau the one born first sold his birthright for some food. Jacob the one born second received the inheritance.

I believe God is trying to reveal something to us. In all three situations the one born first was rejected and the one born second was accepted by God. Jesus is the answer to these stories

John 3:3-5
In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

John 1:12,13
Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become the children of God: children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

We must experience a second birth. The second birth receives the eternal inheritance, the first birth loses their inheritance.

1 Corinthians 15:46,47
However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.

God declares through the Apostle Paul that natural or earthly things are manifested first. What comes second are the spiritual or heavenly things. The second, are the eternal unseen things that we have been promised by God.

Cain born first represents physical descendants of Abraham, and Abel born second represents, born again, Spiritual Jews.

Romans 2:28,29
A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.

Genesis 4:2-5
Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

Cain attempted to please God by his earthly works. Abel’s offering was his faith in a slain lamb.

Jesus declares that the non -believing natural descendants of Abraham even though they were born first, were represented by Cain in the story of the beginning. Jesus proclaims the life of the second or heavenly born children to be righteous.

Matthew 23:35 And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel, to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.

Concerning the story of Abraham, God was so gracious to reveal its meaning through the Apostle Paul.

Galatians 4:25-31
For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to the (earthly) Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children-- but the (heavenly) Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written: Rejoice , O barren, you who do not bear! Break forth and shout, you who do not travail! For the desolate has many more children than she who has a husband. Now we, brethren as Isaac was, are children of promise. But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what does the scripture say? Cast out the bondwomen and her son, for the son of the bondwomen shall not be heir with the son of the freewomen. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwomen but of the free.

The Spirit of Truth has proclaimed that the mother who gave birth first represents earthly Jerusalem and the mother who gave birth second represents the heavenly Jerusalem. So also are their children. The one born by earthly means came first and the one born by heavenly means came second. The mother and children, who represent this earthly city are cast out and receive no inheritance.

In our final example, God has proclaimed that the children represent 2 nations. Based on what has already been revealed; Esau, born first represents earthly Israel and Jacob born second represents the heavenly Israel.

Genesis 35:10
God said to him, "Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel. " So he named him Israel.

Galatians 6:16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.

If there is an Israel of God, there must also be an Esau, or an earthly Israel that is not of God.

Malachi 1:2,3
"I have loved you," says the LORD. "But you ask, 'How have you loved us?' "Was not Esau Jacob's brother?" the LORD says. "Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his mountains into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals."

Abraham and Sarah both desired, by hope and faith, the heavenly country, not the earthly.

Hebrews 11:13-16
...and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

The progression of these three examples, is Jew, Jerusalem, Israel. God truly loves all three but not the ones that we can see with our natural eyes.

1 John 3:12
Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous.

Galatians 4:25-31
Cast out the bondwomen and her son, for the son of the bondwomen shall not be heir with the son of the freewomen.

Romans 9:13
Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."

2 Corinthians 4:18
...while we do not look at things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

The earthly things are the things we can see, and, they have come first. As proclaimed they are temporary meaning that they will come to an end. We should not desire these things. The unseen things are the heavenly eternal things that we have not seen but have been assured of, by His promises.

Colossians 3:1-4
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Galatians 3:28,29
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.