Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 14:26-31.

“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may come back over the Egyptians, over their chariots and their horsemen.”  So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal state at daybreak, while the Egyptians were fleeing right into it;  then the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.  The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen, even Pharaoh’s entire army that had gone into the sea after them;  not even one of them remained.  But the sons of Israel walked on dry land through the midst of the sea, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.  When Israel saw the great power which the LORD had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in His servant Moses.”  Exodus 14:26-31.

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“7 A thousand may fall at your side
And ten thousand at your right hand,
But it shall not approach you.
8 You will only look on with your eyes
And see the recompense of the wicked.
9 For you have made the LORD, my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
10 No evil will befall you,
Nor will any plague come near your tent.” Psalm 91:7-10.

“10 So He saved them from the hand of the one who hated them,
And redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
11 The waters covered their adversaries;
Not one of them was left.
12 Then they believed His words;
They sang His praise.” Psalm 106:10-12.

“4 For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done,
I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.

5 How great are Your works, O LORD!
Your thoughts are very deep.
6 A senseless man has no knowledge,
Nor does a stupid man understand this:
7 That when the wicked sprouted up like grass
And all who did iniquity flourished,
It was only that they might be destroyed forevermore.
8 But You, O LORD, are on high forever.
9 For, behold, Your enemies, O LORD,
For, behold, Your enemies will perish;
All who do iniquity will be scattered.” Psalm 91:4-9.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 14:21-25.

“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea;  and the LORD swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry land, so the waters were divided.  The sons of Israel went through the midst of the sea on the dry land, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.  Then the Egyptians took up the pursuit, and all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots and his horsemen went in after them into the midst of the sea.  At the morning watch, the LORD looked down on the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud and brought the army of the Egyptians into confusion.  He caused their chariot wheels to swerve, and He made them drive with difficulty; so the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from Israel, for the LORD is fighting for them against the Egyptians.”  Exodus 14:21-25.

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God is sovereign over the sea:  “the LORD swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry land, so the waters were divided.”

God is sovereign over the chariots and the Egyptians:  “He caused their chariot wheels to swerve, and He made them drive with difficulty”.

But, God is also sovereign over the hearts of men (a/k/a their will).  We read three times in this same chapter that the LORD hardens hearts.

“Thus I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after them;  and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.”  …”  Exodus 14:4.

“The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he chased after the sons of Israel as the sons of Israel were going out boldly.”  Exodus 14:8. 

“As for Me, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them;  and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen.”  Exodus 14:17.

“The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD;
He turns it wherever He wishes.” Proverbs 21:1.

“But our God is in the heavens;
He does whatever He pleases.” Psalm 115:3.

“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.” Psalm 103:19.

“For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.”  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.  For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH.”  So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.”  Romans 9:15-18.

But, there is hope!

God has mercy on His elect and causes them to walk in His statutes.

“I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”  Ezekiel 36:27. 

“…  In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,”  Ephesians 1:11.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”  Ephesians 1:3-6. 

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 14:19-20.

“The angel of God, who had been going before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them;  and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them.  So it came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel;  and there was the cloud along with the darkness, yet it gave light at night.  Thus the one did not come near the other all night.” Exodus 14:19-20.

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Today’s Scripture reminds us that God is in front of us to lead us but is also behind us to protect us.

Most of the time, we think about following God.    

“And He (Jesus) *said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.”  Matthew 4:19-20.

But, God is also behind us as our rear guard to protect us.  And, this is particularly comforting, because we cannot as easily see or be aware of the dangers behind us.   

“But you will not go out in haste,
Nor will you go as fugitives;
For the LORD will go before you,
And the God of Israel will be your rear guard.” Isaiah 52:12.

In summary, God surrounds us.

“3 You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O LORD, You know it all.
5 You have enclosed me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.” Psalm 139:3-5.

“Those who trust in the LORD
Are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the LORD surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.” Psalm 125:1-2.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 14:15-18.

“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me?  Tell the sons of Israel to go forward.  As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land.  As for Me, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them;  and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen.  Then the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD, when I am honored through Pharaoh, through his chariots and his horsemen.”   Exodus 14:15-18.

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There are two points upon which we shall meditate in today’s Scripture.  

First, why did the LORD give Moses good news, bad news, and puzzling news, particularly immediately after such unequivocally great news that Moses gave to Israel in the two preceding verses?  (But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear!  Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today;  for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever.  The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.”  Exodus 14:13-14.)

Second, the LORD will be honored not only through the salvation of His people but also through the destruction of others.

Regarding the first point, the LORD continually calls us to trust Him and the LORD will provide what we need.  Although the LORD followed good news that “the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land” with bad news that “I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them” and puzzling news that “I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen”, Moses could remember the unequivocally great news that the LORD would accomplish salvation for Israel in the very same day and that He would fight for Israel while they kept silent.

For us today, we are also called to trust the LORD and the LORD will provide what we need. 

“5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”  John 14:26.  

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth;  for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak;  and He will disclose to you what is to come.”  John 16:13.

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”  Romans 8:32.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith;  as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them;  for God made it evident to them.”  Romans 1:16-19.

Regarding the second point, in the Book of Revelation immediately before Christ broke the seven seals starting with the six seals of Rider of White Horse, War, Famine, Death, Martyrs, and Terror in Revelation chapter 6, we read the following at the end of Revelation chapter 5 which shows us on the largest scale that the LORD will be honored not only through the salvation of His people but also through the destruction of others.

“Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice,

“Worthy is the Lamb (Christ) that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”

And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying,

“To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.”

And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.” Revelation 5:11-14.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 14:5-14.

“When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his servants had a change of heart toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?”  So he made his chariot ready and took his people with him;  and he took six hundred select chariots, and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them.  The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he chased after the sons of Israel as the sons of Israel were going out boldly.  Then the Egyptians chased after them with all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and they overtook them camping by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.

As Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened;  so the sons of Israel cried out to the LORD.  Then they said to Moses, “Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness?  Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt?  Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’?  For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear!  Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today;  for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever.  The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.”  Exodus 14:5-14.

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“For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said,

“In repentance and rest you will be saved,
In quietness and trust is your strength.”
But you were not willing,” Isaiah 30:15.

We see Israel’s fear and lack of faith.  “Then they said to Moses, “Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness?  Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt?  Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’?  For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”  Verses 11-12.

“Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it.  For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also;  but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.”  Hebrews 4:1-2. 

“So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.  For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.  Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.”  Hebrews 4:9-11. 

But, there is hope!

“Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?”  Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him (Christ) whom He has sent.”  John 6:28-29.

“But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear!  Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today;  …  The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.”  Verses 13-14. 

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby. 

Article 8.  For this was the sovereign counsel, and most gracious will and purpose of God the Father, that the quickening and saving efficacy of the most precious death of his Son should extend to all the elect, for bestowing upon them alone the gift of justifying faith, thereby to bring them infallibly to salvation:  that is, it was the will of God, that Christ by the blood of the cross, whereby he confirmed the new covenant, should effectually redeem out of every people, tribe, nation, and language, all those, and those only, who were from eternity chosen to salvation, and given to him by the Father;  that he should confer upon them faith, which together with all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit, he purchased for them by his death; should purge them from all sin, both original and actual, whether committed before or after believing;  and having faithfully preserved them even to the end, should at last bring them free from every spot and blemish to the enjoyment of glory in his own presence forever.

“Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due.  But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him (Christ) who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,”  Romans 4:4-5. 

“For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope (Christ), through which we draw near to God.”  Hebrews 7:18-19. 

“Therefore He (Christ) is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”  Hebrews 7:25.

“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:16.

“5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
Yes, our God is compassionate.
6 The LORD preserves the simple;
I was brought low, and He saved me.
7 Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
8 For You have rescued my soul from death,
My eyes from tears,
My feet from stumbling.” Psalm 116:5-8.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith;  and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9. 

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 4:1-4.

“Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Tell the sons of Israel to turn back and camp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea;  you shall camp in front of Baal-zephon, opposite it, by the sea.  For Pharaoh will say of the sons of Israel, ‘They are wandering aimlessly in the land;  the wilderness has shut them in.’  Thus I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after them;  and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.”  And they did so.”  Exodus 4:1-4.

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“The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD;
He turns it wherever He wishes.” Proverbs 21:1.

In yesterday’s devotion, we meditated on how God led Israel the long way from Egypt to Canaan through the wilderness, rather than by the shorter way through the land of the Philistines.  And, likewise, when we experience delays in our progress, we can trust God that He has a good purpose for such delays.

In today’s Scripture, Israel was called to trust God even more and turn back to camp closer to Egypt even though God told them that the purpose of such move was that He was going to harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he would chase after them.  

What was Israel’s response?  Did they rebel or whine or question God?  Did they hesitate?  

No.  Scripture states simply:  “And they did so.” 

The LORD Who could harden Pharaoh’s heart is also the LORD Who could soften Israel’s heart.  

He is also the LORD Who can soften our heart to do His will.

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 13:17-22.

“Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near;  for God said, “The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.”  Hence God led the people around by the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea;  and the sons of Israel went up in martial array from the land of Egypt.  Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones from here with you.”  Then they set out from Succoth and camped in Etham on the edge of the wilderness.  The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.  He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.”  Exodus 13:17-22.

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Today’s Scripture leads us to meditate on how God led Israel and how God likewise leads us.

First, we meditate on how God led Israel the long way from Egypt to Canaan through the wilderness, rather than by the shorter way through the land of the Philistines.  “…  for God said, “The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.”  Verse 17. 

Likewise, when we experience delays in our progress, we can trust God that He has a good purpose for such delays.

“The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.” Psalm 37:23.

“8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;
I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
9 Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding,
Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check,
Otherwise they will not come near to you.” Psalm 32:8-9.

Second, we meditate on how God led Israel in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light.  “The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.”  Verse 21.

Likewise, God leads us, guides us, and goes with us day and night, wherever we go.  

“For You are my rock and my fortress;
For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me.” Psalm 31:3.

“Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9.

“7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
9 If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
10 Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will lay hold of me.” Psalm 139:7-10.

Likewise, God gives us the light of His Word to lead us.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105.

“2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.” Psalm 1:2-3.

Likewise, God gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us in all truth and to teach us and remind us of all things.   

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth;  for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak;  and He will disclose to you what is to come.”  John 16:13.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”  John 14:26.  

Likewise, God gives us peace.  

“Peace I leave with you;  My peace I give to you;  not as the world gives do I give to you.  Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”  John 14:27. 

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 13:3-10.

“Moses said to the people, “Remember this day in which you went out from Egypt, from the house of slavery;  for by a powerful hand the LORD brought you out from this place.  And nothing leavened shall be eaten.  On this day in the month of Abib, you are about to go forth.  It shall be when the LORD brings you to the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, which He swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall observe this rite in this month.  For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the LORD.  Unleavened bread shall be eaten throughout the seven days;  and nothing leavened shall be seen among you, nor shall any leaven be seen among you in all your borders.  You shall tell your son on that day, saying, ‘It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’  And it shall serve as a sign to you on your hand, and as a reminder on your forehead, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth;  for with a powerful hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt.  Therefore, you shall keep this ordinance at its appointed time from year to year.”  Exodus 13:3-10.

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Today’s Scripture gives the reason for this rite. “You shall tell your son on that day, saying, ‘It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’” Verse 8.

We can consider that this reason, (“because of what the LORD did for me”), as one of the general reasons why we do a whole range of things in our Christian life.

Today, why are you going to church?

“because of what the LORD did for me”

Why do you celebrate the Lord’s Supper and Baptism?

“because of what the LORD did for me”

Why do you pray and sing and praise God?

“because of what the LORD did for me”

Why do you give offerings and do other good works?

“because of what the LORD did for me”

Why do you tell others of God’s works?

“because of what the LORD did for me”

“But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
That I may tell of all Your works.” Psalm 73:28.

“We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks,
For Your name is near;
Men declare Your wondrous works.” Psalm 75:1.

“4 One generation shall praise Your works to another,
And shall declare Your mighty acts.
5 On the glorious splendor of Your majesty
And on Your wonderful works, I will meditate.
6 Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts,
And I will tell of Your greatness.
7 They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness
And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness.” Psalm 145:4-7.

“Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.” Luke 8:39.

“10 All Your works shall give thanks to You, O LORD,
And Your godly ones shall bless You.
11 They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom
And talk of Your power;
12 To make known to the sons of men Your mighty acts
And the glory of the majesty of Your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.” Psalm 145:10-13.

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.