Consecration of the Firstborn

Exodus 13:1-2 The people of Israel have left Egypt during the night-time portion of the 15th day and they gather at Succoth. Here Moses repeats the instructions for the days of unleavened bread adding some spiritual insight.

As part of the instructions about observance of the days of unleavened bread Israel were to thereafter consecrate/sanctify/set apart as devoted to YHWH... every first born son. Read verses 3-10.

This instruction to explain the meaning of the spring holy days is applied to: Passover (Exodus 12:26), to the unleavened bread (Exodus 13:8-9), and the consecration of the first born (Exodus 13:14-5). Out purpose today is to explain the meaning of consecrating the first born.

Exodus 13:11-16 this devotion of... or giving of the firstborn sons to YHWH was  built into the days of unleavened bread as much as the bread itself. It was to be a lasting memorial set to commence when they entered the promised land:

• The firstborn of clean domestic livestock were given in sacrifice
• The firstborn of unclean domestic livestock were killed or redeemed
• The first born of humans were redeemed with a cash payment

This redemption and setting apart of the first born is taught in the OT. Then [as so many things are] the teaching is filled out fully in the NT interpretation and application to Christ. In summary it goes like this; a life that has become forfeit can be bought back [redeemed] by payment. The payment itself is often called the "ransom price"... the substitution of a payment for a life.

Exodus 22:29 performed on the 8th day [therefore, not a ceremony performed during DOULB]. However, the two are clearly connected Exodus 34:18-20.

Set Apart For Special Service

This section of Numbers tells us God takes the Levites as substitutes for the first born of all Israel who came out of Egypt.

Numbers 3:11-13 God's claim over the first born is not based on  Him being creator of all things and therefore rightful owner of all things. It is based on Him setting them apart by decree.

Numbers 3:15 when they finish the count its 22,000 - see verse 39

Numbers 3:40-43 Then they count all the first born in the remaining tribes  and its 22,273. The difference is 273. Now the cash comes into play.

Numbers 3:46-47 for the 273 extras a payment of 5 shekels was made. The sacrifices of first born animals and the cash for redeeming human sons would go the priests and to the tribe of Levi [Numbers 18:14-16 explains how this would be done for future generations].

Numbers 8:17-18 the Levites… given as substitutes for the firstborn of all the other tribes… were considered a living sacrifice... devoting their power of body and mind to the service of YHWH.

This may have been in Paul's inspiration for Romans 12:1 where those redeemed in Christ are set apart as living sacrifices in holy service to God.

Luke 2:23 this was still being done by observant Jews when Jesus was born.

Summary:

By God's own words, the concept of redemption and payment is built into the festival of unleavened bread.

• Redemption refers to the recovery of human beings or of things
• Redemption is accomplished by paying a price [called a ransom]
• A person [or persons] must act as redeemer and pay the required price

New Testament Application

The teaching of redemption and paying a price to bring people out of bondage will take on bigger and better meaning when carried over into the new covenant.  AND we will see Paul use the concept in connection with the days of unleavened bread… just as we see the two ideas connected in the old covenant.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 the context of this reference is Paul's discussion and teaching about getting sin out of the congregation. In 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 he calls out the sexual immorality in Corinth. Then he uses symbols of the day of unleavened bread to make his point 1 Corinthians 5:6-8

Next comes a section about law suits probably related to the young man violating his inheritance rights by having sex with his step-mother. Then Paul returns to the subject of sexual sin and how it can corrupt a person's spiritual connection to God... then He comes to verse 20 saying... remember that you have been redeemed at a price.

In addition to leavening, yeast, dough, removing sin, unleavened bread… Paul used yet another lesson from the original days of unleavened bread of Exodus 13… the redemption of  the first born. He does this to teach an important lesson about your consecration to God through the payment of a price and the devotion of your body, mind, and spirit to holy service.

Redemption in the New Covenant

We saw in the Old Testament that the feast of unleavened bread was a time to memorialize Israel’s redemption as a nation from bondage in Egypt. In the New Testament redemption refers to the work of Jesus Christ:

50. To recover and redeem you from your bondage to death and sin
50. To pay the ransom price hanging over your head and free you from your death penalty for sin
50. To set you apart for special service to God.

Titus 2:11-15 your service to God is removing sin from your life…  putting on the mind of Christ.

1 Peter 1:17-23 in the new covenant Christ’s blood takes the place of the payment of cash [which was only a shadow of what was to come]… by that payment you are set apart for special service… to purify yourself, learn to obey, learn to love like Christ… with sincerity [remember the unleavened bread picturing sincerity and truth]. Your present acts of service are preparation for a yet greater service when Christ returns.

Revelation 5:9 … purchased and set apart for service toward God [to reign with Christ after His return]

Romans 3:24-25 you grab hold of this redemption and make it apply to yourself through faith. Unlike the old covenant your parents cannot do this for you. You must claim it yourself.

Hebrews 9:12,15 this redemption is everlasting and the ransom price is sufficient for all.

Redeemed From an Hostile Alien Power

Luke 1:69-75 the human mind might have thought “those who hate us” meant the Roman occupiers of the holy land… or maybe a look backwards to the Egyptians who treated Israel with great cruelty. But as a prophet Zechariah spoke of redemption and consecration through Jesus the Messiah.

The real hostile power lurking in the background is Satan Hebrews 2:14-15. Christ buys you back from Satan… from the power of death… from your slavery to fear.

Ephesians 1:13-14 you have been redeemed and set apart now so that you might participate in the ultimate redemption and deliverance which is resurrection Romans 8:22-23.

Again, in 1st resurrection as first fruits you’re set apart for special serving… alongside Christ in the 1,000 year rule.

The Foundation of the Law and the Prophets

The connection of redemption with the deliverance of resurrection is built on OT teaching.

We have already looked at the consecration of the first born as a memorial of YHWH’s deliverance of Israel from their bondage in Egypt. But the OT also connects this redemption to God’s prophesied future for His people:

Isaiah 59:20 the prophesied Messiah will come as a redeemer. In this way our present teaching of Jesus the Messiah as redeemer is built on the foundation of the old testament.

Psalm 49:5-9, 15 expectation of resurrection and redemption of our bodies is also built upon the foundation of old testament teaching. This speaks of a personal redemption [not a national redemption], a payment of a ransom price for you as an individual… payment made by none other than God Himself… with an end result of redemption from death itself.

Hosea 13:14 Paul quotes verse in 1 Corinthians 15:55… again the letter to the Corinthians is filled with references to the themes and lessons built into the days of unleavened bread [which I discussed in last Sabbath’s message].

Job 19:25-27 one of our most referenced verse on bodily resurrection from the OT [Ezekiel 37].

I cited all these verses because many people teach that the idea of resurrection was alien to the old testament. That it was an understanding that only came later… because the Jews hopes of national redemption were unfulfilled. The idea being that all OT talk of restoration, redemption, and a Messiah was for the nation… not for the individual.

But the teaching on the redemption of our bodies through resurrection is definitely there. Just because Jesus and the apostles drew it into the spotlight, making it more explicit and more clear does not mean the teaching was not there in the OT.

Conclusion:

The consecration and redemption of the first born through the payment of a ransom price is built into the memorial meaning of the biblical festival of unleavened bread. It is something we are to remember and teach to others as one of the many lessons of the festival of unleavened bread.

Consecration of the Firstborn

Exodus 13:1-2 The people of Israel have left Egypt during the night-time portion of the 15th day and they gather at Succoth. Here Moses repeats the instructions for the days of unleavened bread adding some spiritual insight.

As part of the instructions about observance of the days of unleavened bread Israel were to thereafter consecrate/sanctify/set apart as devoted to YHWH... every first born son. Read verses 3-10.

This instruction to explain the meaning of the spring holy days is applied to: Passover (Exodus 12:26), to the unleavened bread (Exodus 13:8-9), and the consecration of the first born (Exodus 13:14-5). Out purpose today is to explain the meaning of consecrating the first born.

Exodus 13:11-16 this devotion of... or giving of the firstborn sons to YHWH was  built into the days of unleavened bread as much as the bread itself. It was to be a lasting memorial set to commence when they entered the promised land:

• The firstborn of clean domestic livestock were given in sacrifice
• The firstborn of unclean domestic livestock were killed or redeemed
• The first born of humans were redeemed with a cash payment

This redemption and setting apart of the first born is taught in the OT. Then [as so many things are] the teaching is filled out fully in the NT interpretation and application to Christ. In summary it goes like this; a life that has become forfeit can be bought back [redeemed] by payment. The payment itself is often called the "ransom price"... the substitution of a payment for a life.

Exodus 22:29 performed on the 8th day [therefore, not a ceremony performed during DOULB]. However, the two are clearly connected Exodus 34:18-20.

Set Apart For Special Service

This section of Numbers tells us God takes the Levites as substitutes for the first born of all Israel who came out of Egypt.

Numbers 3:11-13 God's claim over the first born is not based on  Him being creator of all things and therefore rightful owner of all things. It is based on Him setting them apart by decree.

Numbers 3:15 when they finish the count its 22,000 - see verse 39

Numbers 3:40-43 Then they count all the first born in the remaining tribes  and its 22,273. The difference is 273. Now the cash comes into play.

Numbers 3:46-47 for the 273 extras a payment of 5 shekels was made. The sacrifices of first born animals and the cash for redeeming human sons would go the priests and to the tribe of Levi [Numbers 18:14-16 explains how this would be done for future generations].

Numbers 8:17-18 the Levites… given as substitutes for the firstborn of all the other tribes… were considered a living sacrifice... devoting their power of body and mind to the service of YHWH.

This may have been in Paul's inspiration for Romans 12:1 where those redeemed in Christ are set apart as living sacrifices in holy service to God.

Luke 2:23 this was still being done by observant Jews when Jesus was born.

Summary:

By God's own words, the concept of redemption and payment is built into the festival of unleavened bread.

• Redemption refers to the recovery of human beings or of things
• Redemption is accomplished by paying a price [called a ransom]
• A person [or persons] must act as redeemer and pay the required price

New Testament Application

The teaching of redemption and paying a price to bring people out of bondage will take on bigger and better meaning when carried over into the new covenant.  AND we will see Paul use the concept in connection with the days of unleavened bread… just as we see the two ideas connected in the old covenant.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 the context of this reference is Paul's discussion and teaching about getting sin out of the congregation. In 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 he calls out the sexual immorality in Corinth. Then he uses symbols of the day of unleavened bread to make his point 1 Corinthians 5:6-8

Next comes a section about law suits probably related to the young man violating his inheritance rights by having sex with his step-mother. Then Paul returns to the subject of sexual sin and how it can corrupt a person's spiritual connection to God... then He comes to verse 20 saying... remember that you have been redeemed at a price.

In addition to leavening, yeast, dough, removing sin, unleavened bread… Paul used yet another lesson from the original days of unleavened bread of Exodus 13… the redemption of  the first born. He does this to teach an important lesson about your consecration to God through the payment of a price and the devotion of your body, mind, and spirit to holy service.

Redemption in the New Covenant

We saw in the Old Testament that the feast of unleavened bread was a time to memorialize Israel’s redemption as a nation from bondage in Egypt. In the New Testament redemption refers to the work of Jesus Christ:

50. To recover and redeem you from your bondage to death and sin
50. To pay the ransom price hanging over your head and free you from your death penalty for sin
50. To set you apart for special service to God.

Titus 2:11-15 your service to God is removing sin from your life…  putting on the mind of Christ.

1 Peter 1:17-23 in the new covenant Christ’s blood takes the place of the payment of cash [which was only a shadow of what was to come]… by that payment you are set apart for special service… to purify yourself, learn to obey, learn to love like Christ… with sincerity [remember the unleavened bread picturing sincerity and truth]. Your present acts of service are preparation for a yet greater service when Christ returns.

Revelation 5:9 … purchased and set apart for service toward God [to reign with Christ after His return]

Romans 3:24-25 you grab hold of this redemption and make it apply to yourself through faith. Unlike the old covenant your parents cannot do this for you. You must claim it yourself.

Hebrews 9:12,15 this redemption is everlasting and the ransom price is sufficient for all.

Redeemed From an Hostile Alien Power

Luke 1:69-75 the human mind might have thought “those who hate us” meant the Roman occupiers of the holy land… or maybe a look backwards to the Egyptians who treated Israel with great cruelty. But as a prophet Zechariah spoke of redemption and consecration through Jesus the Messiah.

The real hostile power lurking in the background is Satan Hebrews 2:14-15. Christ buys you back from Satan… from the power of death… from your slavery to fear.

Ephesians 1:13-14 you have been redeemed and set apart now so that you might participate in the ultimate redemption and deliverance which is resurrection Romans 8:22-23.

Again, in 1st resurrection as first fruits you’re set apart for special serving… alongside Christ in the 1,000 year rule.

The Foundation of the Law and the Prophets

The connection of redemption with the deliverance of resurrection is built on OT teaching.

We have already looked at the consecration of the first born as a memorial of YHWH’s deliverance of Israel from their bondage in Egypt. But the OT also connects this redemption to God’s prophesied future for His people:

Isaiah 59:20 the prophesied Messiah will come as a redeemer. In this way our present teaching of Jesus the Messiah as redeemer is built on the foundation of the old testament.

Psalm 49:5-9, 15 expectation of resurrection and redemption of our bodies is also built upon the foundation of old testament teaching. This speaks of a personal redemption [not a national redemption], a payment of a ransom price for you as an individual… payment made by none other than God Himself… with an end result of redemption from death itself.

Hosea 13:14 Paul quotes verse in 1 Corinthians 15:55… again the letter to the Corinthians is filled with references to the themes and lessons built into the days of unleavened bread [which I discussed in last Sabbath’s message].

Job 19:25-27 one of our most referenced verse on bodily resurrection from the OT [Ezekiel 37].

I cited all these verses because many people teach that the idea of resurrection was alien to the old testament. That it was an understanding that only came later… because the Jews hopes of national redemption were unfulfilled. The idea being that all OT talk of restoration, redemption, and a Messiah was for the nation… not for the individual.

But the teaching on the redemption of our bodies through resurrection is definitely there. Just because Jesus and the apostles drew it into the spotlight, making it more explicit and more clear does not mean the teaching was not there in the OT.

Conclusion:

The consecration and redemption of the first born through the payment of a ransom price is built into the memorial meaning of the biblical festival of unleavened bread. It is something we are to remember and teach to others as one of the many lessons of the festival of unleavened bread.