PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Numbers 3-4
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Take the Levites in place of all the firstborn of Israel.” (Numbers 3:45)
In ancient times, the firstborn represented the hope of future.
The firstborn was the future leader (head) of the household, the primary heir.
When the firstborn sons of Egypt were slain, the future of Egypt was jeopardized.
When God claims the firstborn, he is declaring his ownership of the future.
Instead of actually taking these sons, God raises up the Levites in their place.
They represent God’s headship over Israel, and God’s control of the future.
The families were free to keep their firstborn, with the Levites as their symbolic heads.
In that culture, the firstborn represented the whole family, the whole nation.
Jesus is the firstborn among many brothers and sisters (Romans 8:29).
Jesus is the firstborn over all creation (Colossians 1:15)
Jesus is even the firstborn from among the dead (Colossians 1:18, Revelation 1:5)
We are the church of the firstborn (Hebrews 12:23), the people under his leadership and care.
Jesus, not the Levites, is our spiritual leader, who owns and rules us and keeps us secure.
Do we see ourselves as totally dependent on, and submissive to, Jesus, our firstborn head?
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for taking my place as the firstborn, for securing my future from death and giving me a place in God’s family. I glad submit to you as the firstborn!
An assignment – a calling: “At the Lord’s command through Moses, each was assigned his work and told what to carry.” God through Moses assigned specific responsibility to key people – as well he set aside people who would be dedicated to the Lord’s service – the firstborn. Today, Jesus calls each of us when we grow in relationship to Him – we too take our ‘cues’ from the HS – as we discern and separate our wills from God’s will. I have the blessing to be a child of God through Jesus – Lord help me to take up my task faithfully and willingly!
There is a refrain in the passage read today – ‘as the Lord commanded Moses’ and ‘according to the Lord’s commands.’ Many were called to do works of service in the moving to the tabernacle. We too, today, are called to works of service. And what does the Lord require of me – ‘He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?’
Help this day and every day Lord, to walk in Your ‘SonShine’ walking and talking to You as I do our will.
I serve a risen Savior
He’s in the world today.
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy;
I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him
He’s always near.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.