Through the Bible: NumbersSample
The Redeeming Love
And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the people of Israel instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the people of Israel. The Levites shall be mine, for all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for my own all the firstborn in Israel, both of man and of beast. They shall be mine: I am the Lord.”
Numbers 3:11-13 (ESV)
In Exodus, the firstborns of Israelites were pardoned and redeemed by God through the blood of lamb brushed onto door frames. Since then, firstborns of Israelites belonged to and were to be set apart for Him. They were crowned with glory, called to be family priests of the Lord. Yet they failed before entering the promise land and worshipped the golden calf.
In Numbers, we see that God, who is just and merciful, once again redeemed these firstborns who had fallen. In place of them, He called the Levites, the only tribe that did not participate in idol worship, to take up the priestly duties.
He did so for He is patient and gracious to those who belong to Him. He longs and waits for our repentance. He never gives up and sets out a plan to redeem us — first with animals, with the Levites, with silver shekels, and finally with Jesus.
Who can deny the depth of His Father’s love for us? His love knows no limit.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us, for being patient with us when we fail, for being gracious to us and covering us with the blood of Jesus. Help us to consecrate for You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
About this Plan
The book of Numbers, as the Hebrew name suggests, is the Israelites’ travelogue in the wilderness, from Mount Sinai to the plains of Moab, right before entering the Promised Land. Because of the Israelites’ disobedience, the 11-day journey turned to 40 years! But rest assured, God always restore His people to the place of blessings as soon as we return to Him. Come journey through Numbers with us.
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