46To redeem the 273 firstborn Israelites who exceed the number of the Levites,
47collect five shekels for each one, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs.
48Give the money for the redemption of the additional Israelites to Aaron and his sons." - P119
The Israelites did all this just as the LORD commanded Moses. - Numbers 1:54 - P121
The place of firstborn represents the first and best of God’s blessings among His people. Because of this, every firstborn is to be dedicated and given to the Lord. - P120
Firstborn male children, however, are not offered as sacrifices. Instead they are redeemed by the Levites, who belong to the Lord and are devoted to His service. Since the number of firstborn males exceeds the number of Levites, they are redeemed with a specific redemption price. - P120
Ultimately, this practice points us to the ministry of Jesus, the one the New Testament calls the firstborn of God (Heb. 1:6), who gave His life as a ransom for us.
- P120
Hebrews 1:6 NLT
[6] And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said, "Let all of God’s angels worship him."
- P120
As we give a portion of these things to God, we can be certain thatHe will honor our sacrifice. He will return to us more than we can possiblythink or imagine. - P120
To fail to sacrificially give is to miss out on God‘s plansand blessings on our lives. Even worse, refusing to give for the edificationof God‘s people causes us to become spiritually stagnant and unfruitful. - P120
Lord Jesus, You gave Yourself unreservedly and completely for me. I am humbled by the price You willingly paid. May my life be a sacrifice of all I am, have, and hope to be in the service of Your kingdom. In Your name, I pray, amen. - P120
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