A 31-day Lenten Devotional Series by Rev. Dave Brown
While we cannot make absolute comparisons between the modern and ancient practices of welcoming firstborn babies into the world, we can see from Scripture that the Hebrews thought the first to open the womb represented the prime of human strength and vitality. If he was a son, he inherited a double portion of a father’s inheritance and the leadership role in the family. He also carried responsibility for the family at the end of his father’s life.
The Egyptians made more of their sons. According to Philip Ryken, “Pharaoh’s son was the prince of Egypt, the next in line to sit on the throne. More than that, the Egyptians believed that he was a successor to the gods… he was expected to rule Egypt as god.” (Ryken:318)
The death of the firstborn of Egypt represented the death of a god. That is a crucial point in the story. Scripture tells us that “the Lord God is a jealous God. He does not share his glory with another. (See Isaiah 48:11) But it was not just Pharaoh’s firstborn son that died. At midnight the LORD struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt. (Ex. 12:29)
He would have done the same with the firstborn of the Hebrews, but for one measure. If the Hebrews received the gracious provision of the Lamb and publicly indicated their faith in God’s provision, by painting the blood on doorpost and lintel of their homes, the angel of death would Passover these homes and the firstborn would be spared.
Gratitude was the most appropriate response to God’s gracious deliverance of the firstborn. To make sure the Hebrews didn’t miss this necessary response, the Lord commanded Moses: “Consecrate to me all the firstborn. Whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and beast is mine.” (Ex. 13:1-2). Set them apart. Then tell your sons what the Lord did in history to distinguish between Egypt and Israel and what you have done in response.
“Therefore, I sacrifice to the Lord all the males (animals) that first open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.” You were destined for death, but God delivered you by the gracious acceptance of the death of the lamb and the outpouring of his blood as a substitute for your death.
Reflections: Who is the firstborn in your household? Besides celebrating his/her coming with reveal parties and baby showers, you probably have invested much time and training into that child so that he or she will have all the advantages necessary to succeed. The one advantage most needed by that child is the knowledge of God the Redeemer. What have you told your firstborn about God’s grace in sparing your child? What response of gratitude have you instilled in that child?
Have you communicated this grace from God to all of your children to the end that all of them claim their deliverance through the blood of the lamb? “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” John 1:29