What does it mean that God prefers the secondborn?

The preference of Ephraim over Manasseh, as shown in Jacob's blessing, illustrates a profound theological concept in Scripture—the idea that God's sovereign choice elevates what is born of the Spirit over that which is of the flesh. The secondborn, typically given less prominence in the cultural context, serves as a metaphor for the new birth believers experience in Christ. This theme is woven throughout Scripture, as seen in terms like the 'firstborn' representing the flesh and the 'secondborn' representing the spiritual. Such a shift emphasizes God’s grace in selecting whom He wills, not based on merit but solely by His sovereign decrees. Romans 9:11 speaks to this notion of divine election, where God’s choice is independent of human effort.