Firstborn Recognition of Adam’s Seed

Firstborn Recognition of Adam’s Seed

Exodus 13:¹ Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ² “Consecrate to Me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast; it is Mine.”

 

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GOD spoke to Moses telling him to “consecrate” the firstborn. To consecrate means to officially make something holy or to dedicate it entirely to a sacred purpose. Whether it was an animal or male, the firstborn was supposed to be dedicated to GOD.

 

My Observations:

• Adam’s seed passes down the curse of GOD, therefore no human is worthy of opening up the scrolls mentioned in Revelation.
• GOD is setting up a ceremonial redemption by having the firstborn males remember they need GOD.
• As a reminder of the curse, GOD told Moses to have every family set aside the firstborn male, making him surrender to following HIM.

 

Women are off the hook when it came to the consecration of the firstborn. When Adam refused to follow GOD’s statement of not eating from the Tree of Knowledge, GOD placed a curse on his seed. BUT GOD also made a way to redeem humans.

 

JESUS volunteered to become the human who would be perfect. Instead of the seed coming from a man, an immaculate conception would be needed. Meanwhile, the men had to symbolically recognize the need for redemption. All firstborn males would need to point to the first human, namely Adam. GOD would not be forgotten.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS conversation concerning the firstborn males?
• How often do you ponder the need for GOD’s salvation?
• Are you willing to throw away belief and remembrance of JESUS for any limiting belief that opposes HIM?

Background Check

Luke 3: ²³ Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli, ²⁴ the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Janna, the son of Joseph, ²⁵ the son of Mattathiah, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, ²⁶ the son of Maath, the son of Mattathiah, the son of Semei, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah, ²⁷ the son of Joannas, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, ²⁸ the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er, ²⁹ the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, ³⁰ the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the sonof Eliakim, ³¹ the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattathah, the son of Nathan, the son of David, ³² the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, ³³ the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, ³⁴ the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, ³⁵ the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, ³⁶ the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, ³⁷ the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of Cainan, ³⁸ the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

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Fascinated with my ancestry, I asked my parents and grandparents to remember names of relatives as far back as they could go. I was amazed at the fortitude of my family and wondered how we even survived.

• Family history has strengthened my relationship with GOD.
• Family history has shown me the good and the bad of humanity.
• Family history has given me faith in GOD who controls everything.

JESUS’s human lineage was traced back to the first human, Adam. It is a wonder humanity survived. HIS ancestry was spread over years of violence that almost wiped out humans, BUT GOD intervened.

• GOD’s plan cannot be altered by wars and rumors of wars that affect my family.
• GOD’s plan cannot be changed by people in my ancestry who may have made huge mistakes.
• GOD’s plan cannot be modified by the difficulties of life that hurt my family.

Whether it was a depression, slavery or a hostile takeover of a neighboring village, my ancestors made it by the grace of GOD. JESUS shows me that good can come out of hurt and life can spring out of meager beginnings.

• Are you blaming your family on where you are?
• Do you think the circumstances of the times altered your family history so you would either fail or succeed?
• Can you look at the history of your family and be amazed that GOD has your ancestry as part of HIS amazing plan for you?

Obedient to the Weird Plan

Matthew 1: ¹⁸ This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

²⁰ But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

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What a strange plan. As I pondered this plan to save all humans I said to myself, “I would never have done it this way.” I mean in this chapter I read that Joseph was a descendant of murderers, liars, adulterers and thieves. Then it turns out that this guys’ fiancé turns up pregnant without having sex.

• GOD says to me “MY ways are not your ways. MY thoughts are not your thoughts.”
• GOD says to me “I WILL be your GOD and you will be MY people.”
• GOD says to me “I AM.”

Joseph had to do something so divorce was a nice quiet option. BUT GOD said something different. GOD wanted all of humanity to know this was no ordinary plan. It had to be weird, extraordinary, and supernatural. GOD does the same in my life. HIS plans are weird and sometimes seem that they will not work.

• GOD’s plan for me is extraordinary.
• GOD’s plan for me is not the norm.
• GOD’s plan for me sometimes seems strange but when I am obedient it always works!

I did not have an example that compared to the birth of my SAVIOR, but I do recognize that GOD doesn’t always tell me everything up front. HE requires me to have faith without fault. The more I can have the better off I will be.

• Does your plan seem strange?
• Does it seem like you will never get to the finish line?
• Can you stop trying to make sense out of GOD’s plan and ask HIM for the faith to continue?

She must be a special lady!

Luke 1: ⁴⁵ Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

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Mary and the Immaculate Conception is the biggest mystery to me. I mean she wasn’t very old and as far as I know she hadn’t done anything “special” to be chosen.

• I wonder if Mary wanted to feel special and GOD blessed her.
• I wonder if Mary desired to serve more people and GOD blessed her.
• I wonder if Mary saw more than the words in the Bible and wanted a “special” relationship and GOD blessed her.

It says Mary and her much older cousin Elizabeth followed GOD’s commands and decrees blamelessly which meant they were truly excited about GOD and HIS ways.  She wanted to do more, not because of her circumstance, just because HE was GOD.

• Mary didn’t care that she was poor, she praised the LORD.
• Mary didn’t worry about becoming some great title for GOD had spoken to her.
• Mary didn’t mind becoming the mother of our Savior rather she was excited to be chosen by GOD.

She worked hard following GOD’s commands to the letter but she did it with excitement. She probably saw the greedy seem to get away with their thievery and felt disappointed because when she got the news from GOD she sang this song:

⁵¹ He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
   he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
⁵² He has brought down rulers from their thrones
   but has lifted up the humble.
⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things
   but has sent the rich away empty

Mary was excited about GOD and that was enough for her so it is enough for me!

• Are you working hard to be “special?”
• Do you realize you “are” already special to GOD?
• Can you believe it’s not how hard you try, rather it’s the focus of your heart?
• Will you take a moment to praise GOD for choosing you?