Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 13:1-2 and 11-16.

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Sanctify to Me every firstborn, the first offspring of every womb among the sons of Israel, both of man and beast; it belongs to Me.”  Exodus 13:1-2.

“Now when the LORD brings you to the land of the Canaanite, as He swore to you and to your fathers, and gives it to you, you shall devote to the LORD the first offspring of every womb, and the first offspring of every beast that you own;  the males belong to the LORD.  But every first offspring of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, but if you do not redeem it, then you shall break its neck;  and every firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem.  And it shall be when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ then you shall say to him, ‘With a powerful hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery.  It came about, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of beast.  Therefore, I sacrifice to the LORD the males, the first offspring of every womb, but every firstborn of my sons I redeem.’  So it shall serve as a sign on your hand and as phylacteries on your forehead, for with a powerful hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt.”  Exodus 13:11-16.

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The firstborn males of animals were devoted for use for sacrifice for God.  The firstborn males of people were devoted for use for service for God.

Today’s Scripture leads us to meditate on Jesus Christ and how He fulfilled both roles.  First, Jesus was the firstborn male of both people (Mary and Joseph) and God (His only begotten Son).  Second, Jesus was devoted for use for sacrifice for God.  God sent Jesus to die on the cross as a sacrifice for the sins of God’s elect.  Third, Jesus was devoted for use for service for God.  God sent Jesus to be His faithful servant, including being His faithful witness of Who He is.  

“And she (Mary) gave birth to her firstborn son;  and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”  Luke 2:7.

“And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they (Joseph and Mary) brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “EVERY  firstborn MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIDGEONS.”  Luke 2:24.

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”  Colossians 1:15. 

“and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.  To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood—”  Revelation 1:5.   

Jesus was sent to the world to be “the firstborn among many brethren”.  “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;  and these whom He predestined, He also called;  and these whom He called, He also justified;  and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”  Romans 8:29-30.

“He is also head of the body, the church;  and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.  For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross;  through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.”  Colossians 1:18-20.