Reflection: Firsts

God’s always had a thing about firsts. Symbolic and literal firsts. Remember Cain and Abel’s sacrifices in Genesis 4:2-5? Very tangible. Firsts have been offered to deities since ancient civilizations – animals, produce, even children – to appease the deities and in anticipation of blessing. God has programmed us with an innate sense not just of worship, but that he’s worthy of the best we can offer.

God’s always had a thing about firsts. They belong to him. Exactly how? you might ask. He sets them apart through sacrifice, consecration, dedication, substitution, atonement, redemption – scrupulous rites and rituals. Here in Numbers, curiously, God further requires each first-born male (that already belongs to him, see Numbers 3:11-13,15,45) to be substituted by a Levite. Consecrated to serve in the tabernacle these substitute priests now symbolically atone for all Israel.

Do you glimpse a gold thread stitching this story together here? Something more than just chosen people. God wants holy people. That gold thread goes on to suture together Old and New Testament – them and us, through a perfect priest: the firstborn over all creation, firstborn of the dead and also the firstfruits of many to be resurrected to eternal life (Colossians 1:15,18; 1Corinthians 15:20, 23).

Prayer:

Jesus Christ, only son of the Father, perfect sacrifice and resurrected Saviour, continue to stitch me, chosen together with your universal church, into your glorious treasure.