devotional post # 2264

Numbers 3:39-43

Num 3:39 All those mustered among the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron mustered at the command of Yahveh, by clans, all the males from a month old and upward, were 22,000.
Num 3:40 And Yahveh said to Moses, “Muster all the firstborn males of the sons of Israel, from a month old and upward, taking the number of their names.
Num 3:41 And you will take the Levites for me– I am Yahveh– instead of all the firstborn among the sons of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the cattle of the sons of Israel.”
Num 3:42 So Moses mustered all the firstborn among the sons of Israel, as Yahveh commanded him.
Num 3:43 And all the firstborn males, according to the number of names, from a month old and upward as mustered were 22,273.

redeemed and renewed

The firstborn sons who would have died at the hands of the death angel in Egypt were redeemed and replaced by Levites. Redemption was bought by grace, and purchased afterward by service and worship. But even that service and worship had to come from those specifically sanctified for the task. A shadow of Christ’s saving work is the Levites.

LORD, now that you have saved us by your death on the cross, we trust your Holy Spirit to make us anew, so that we qualify to serve and worship you.