According to Deuteronomy 21:15-17 the firstborn son had the right to all of the inheritance.  This was meant to be adhered to without exception.  This was more than simply worldly possessions.  This meant the honor and leadership of the family, a place of responsibility.  However, many times in the scriptures, this does not happen.  God either directly or indirectly removes the blessing from the firstborn and gives it to another.  Why?  Why would God establish a precedence to follow, then choose to ignore it in certain situations?  He is building a model for us to see.  Let's examine some of these examples and find out what types and shadows are being made by the examples.