My Firstborn Israel

You shall say to Pharaoh, “So says Hashem, My son My firstborn is Israel” (4:22)

The Jewish people are not the first nation to appear in history. As such, while they could be termed Hashem’s “favorite child,” how is it appropriate to refer to them as His “firstborn”?

The Meshech Chochmah explains that the reason the firstborn receives special consideration, such as a double portion of the inheritance, is that, by being born, he is the one who allowed his father to attain that status. Likewise, although they were not the first nation to be formed, the Jewish people were the first nation to recognize Hashem as Father of the world. In this respect, so to speak, they “made Him” into a Father and, as such, are considered His firstborn.