“That He might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Romans 8:29)
“Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine; Because all the firstborn are mine…” (Numbers 3:12-13)
The Firstborn Belongs to the Lord
Numbers 3 reveals a profound truth about God’s claim over the firstborn of Israel. After the dramatic deliverance from Egypt, God declared that all the firstborn of Israel belonged to Him because He spared them during the Passover (Exodus 13:2). Instead of taking every firstborn male for His service, God appointed the Levites to take their place. This substitution points directly to Jesus, the true Firstborn of God, who stands as our eternal Mediator and High Priest.
Jesus, the True Firstborn
Paul tells us in Romans 8:29 that Jesus is the “firstborn among many brothers.” This does not mean He was created, as some misunderstand, but rather that He holds the position of preeminence over all creation (Colossians 1:15-18). As the true Firstborn, Jesus represents all who belong to God. Just as the Levites replaced the firstborn of Israel, Jesus took our place in death and now stands as our High Priest before the Father.
The Substitution of the Levites and the Work of Christ
In Numbers 3, God instructs Moses to count all the Levites, and their number was nearly equal to the total of firstborn Israelites. This direct replacement was not by accident but by divine design. The Levites were to serve in the tabernacle, acting as mediators between God and Israel. This points forward to Jesus, who “gave Himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:6) and became our perfect Mediator.
- Jesus as the Substitute – Just as the Levites took the place of Israel’s firstborn, Jesus took our place on the cross. He bore our sins so that we might become children of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).
- Jesus as the Firstborn – The firstborn in Israel had a special inheritance. Jesus, as God’s Firstborn, inherits all things and shares His inheritance with us (Hebrews 1:2; Romans 8:17).
- Jesus as the High Priest – The Levites were consecrated for priestly service. Jesus, as our Great High Priest, intercedes for us before the Father, offering Himself as the final sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 4:14-16).
The Redemption Price and Christ’s Sacrifice
Numbers 3:46-51 speaks of the redemption price required for the excess firstborn that outnumbered the Levites. This redemption price reminds us that salvation is costly. In Christ, our redemption was paid in full by His precious blood (1 Peter 1:18-19). Unlike the temporary payment in Numbers 3, Jesus’ sacrifice is once and for all (Hebrews 9:12).
Our Response to Jesus, the Firstborn
Understanding Jesus as our Firstborn and High Priest should lead us to:
- Worship Him – He is worthy of our praise as the One who redeemed us.
- Serve Him – Just as the Levites were dedicated to the Lord’s service, we too are called to offer our lives as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1).
- Trust Him – As our Mediator, He intercedes for us, securing our place before the Father.
Conclusion
Numbers 3 is not just an Old Testament narrative about Israel’s priesthood. It is a powerful foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, our Firstborn and High Priest. He has taken our place, paid our redemption price, and secured our eternal inheritance. As we reflect on this truth, let us embrace our identity as the redeemed people of God, walking in the fullness of His grace and calling.
“For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” (Hebrews 2:10)
