Taking Redemption of the Firstborn Seriously

Taking Redemption of the Firstborn Seriously

Exodus 13: ¹¹ “And it shall be, when the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as He swore to you and your fathers, and gives it to you, ¹² that you shall set apart to the Lord all that open the womb, that is, every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have; the males shall be the Lord’s. ¹³ But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. And all the firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem. ¹⁴ So it shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ that you shall say to him, ‘By strength of hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. ¹⁵ And it came to pass, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that the Lord killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of beast. Therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all males that open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’ ¹⁶ It shall be as a sign on your hand and as frontlets between your eyes, for by strength of hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt.”

 

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Moses continues speaking to the people in preparation to leave Egypt. He reiterates what GOD told him about the firstborn male. But this time he mentions redemption.

 

My Observations:

• Moses tells a group of slave-minded people that they are to remember how GOD was restoring them.
• Moses attempted to tell slave-minded people about Pharaoh’s stubbornness.
• Moses spoke figuratively about the sacrifice of the firstborn being a sign to be worn on their hands and on their foreheads.

 

GOD’s firstborn is JESUS. HIS sacrifice redeemed all of mankind who believe in HIM. This was the announcement of restoration for mankind. Unfortunately, the Pharisees would take the act of wearing scriptures on their arms and foreheads as a sign of how holy they were. They may have screamed, “Hey, look at how holy I am” by wearing the law as they judged the people harshly.

 

Satan and the beast also will twist what Moses said. In Revelation, they force people to wear the mark of the beast on their hand and forehead, marking humans as theirs. GOD sees through the false acts of holiness and the attempts to steal humans away from HIM. Redemption means everything to GOD. HE wants to restore HIS humans to live in harmony with them. GOD’s redemption must be remembered not only in ceremony, but in truth and spirit.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses that he emphasized redemption annually?
• Are you looking to feel restored when GOD told you that you are restored?
• Who have you told about your being restored by GOD?

Special From Nothing Special

 Special From Nothing Special

Exodus 6: ¹⁴ These are the heads of their fathers’ houses: The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. These are the families of Reuben. ¹⁵ And the sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman. These are the families of Simeon. ¹⁶ These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. And the years of the life of Levi were one hundred and thirty-seven. ¹⁷ The sons of Gershon were Libni and Shimi according to their families. ¹⁸ And the sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. And the years of the life of Kohath were one hundred and thirty-three. ¹⁹ The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of Levi according to their generations.

 

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Generations after Adam and Eve, GOD spoke to Abraham. HE promised HE would make his name a great nation. This promise was passed down to his son Isaac and then passed to his grandson Jacob. Leah was given to Jacob as his wife. They had Reuben, Simeon and Levi as children, amongst others. This is the family of Aaron and Moses.

 

My Observations:

• GOD must have told Moses to write down the tribe leaders names to prepare him for what HE was about to do.
• Simeon and Levi murdered Shechem and the men of that town, defending Dinah, their sister, who was assaulted.
• Levi was also involved with selling his brother Joseph into slavery, which ultimately caused everyone to move to Egypt.

 

After the Garden of Eden, humanity took a beating. Their belief in their own ways and the appeal to their own culture, left GOD out of the picture. The further away we get from the garden, the more we forget who GOD is. GOD abruptly interjects a list of the first three families of Leah and Jacob.

 

I had to ask “Why is this list here?” I believe GOD was about to establish restoration of Levi. Jacob did not curse Levi, but his blessing said the tribe would be “scattered” because of Levi’s violence. Amazingly enough, the tribe of Levi would be know as a tribe of priests who would carry the Law of Moses. GOD restores.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD abruptly go into detail about the genealogy of Reuben, Simeon and Levi to Moses?
• Is your history important to GOD?
• Do you believe that GOD is actively restoring you and repairing your past?

Repaired and Restored

Repaired and Restored

1 John 3: ⁷ Let no one deceive you, my children! Whoever does what is right is righteous, just as Christ is righteous. ⁸ Whoever continues to sin belongs to the Devil, because the Devil has sinned from the very beginning. The Son of God appeared for this very reason, to destroy what the Devil had done.

 

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Walking up to my car, I noticed I could see in one window better than others. As I walked a little closer, I reasoned that I must have left the window down. But when I reached the car, I found my window had been broken out and my tapes were stolen. Yes, I said tapes.

 

• I wondered why did this happen to “me?”
• I felt a sense of loss that I could not reconcile, so I became angry.
• I had spent years collecting the right music for my moods and now they were all gone!

 

John makes an implied appeal to stay firm in doing what is right according to the LORD. He gave a strong reason, namely the Devil came to steal GOD’s people away from HIM. John explains that JESUS appeared specifically to repair what Satan broke and restore humanity.

 

My Observations:

• At times, the difficulties in life cause me to lose my hope, BUT GOD knows what I go through and always provides a way.
• Troubles in life are placed in front of me and I have to make a choice to continue to serve GOD or fall to my own sins.
• JESUS knew I would choose sin, BUT HE died for me anyway and gave me a way to live forever, in spite of my sins.

 

Being repaired and restored is exciting! I mean, when something that is damaged or stolen is repaired or returned, it is exciting to be the benefactor. Unfortunately, we have an adversary who will not give up as easily. He will keep trying to make you and me lose hope in CHRIST. But there is hope.

 

JESUS sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside me so I would not lose hope. HE opens my eyes to see beyond the trouble of the day, so I can keep doing “what is right” for GOD. CHRIST did not die so mankind would be weak, sick and hurt, rather HE was raised from the dead to repair and restore you and me. I am grateful for HIS love!

 

Challenge

• What deception could the writer be talking about?
• Have you ever been tempted to lose hope in JESUS and follow the recommendations of the world?
• Will you keep doing “what is right” as GOD has laid out HIS plan to you so you will remain in union with HIM today and forever?

Gently Restore

 

Gently Restore

Galatians 6:1 My friends, if someone is caught in any kind of wrongdoing, those of you who are spiritual should set him right; but you must do it in a gentle way. And keep an eye on yourselves, so that you will not be tempted, too.

 

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Mistakes could be seen a mile away. But my approach to correcting the mistake was harsh and direct. I would tell what he or she did wrong without thought of how embarrassing or  debilitating it could be.

 

• I was not gentle.
• I only wanted correction.
• I did not factor in how to restore.

 

Paul mentions the approach of putting people back on the right track after a wrongdoing. He first calls on those who believes in JESUS as the Savior to approach the person about the wrongdoing. He then suggests a gentle approach and finally he warns everyone that they are not infallible of falling.

 

My Observations

• JESUS restored me by dying for my sins.
• The HOLY SPIRIT gives me discernment to see how to follow JESUS in love.
• The FATHER expects me to seek restoration of others so they too can follow JESUS in love.

 

Everyone makes mistakes, says something wrong or disappoints one another. BUT GOD is not looking for us to be the mistake Mounties, rather the restoration rangers. Correction without restoration comes across as being high and mighty. I know this from experience.

 

I may mean well, but may be missing another side, namely GOD’s restoration. GOD wants me to gently restore people because HE wants to be gentle with me. Any mistake a human can do is also within me. I am grateful GOD is merciful to me and wants HIS mercy for everyone.

 

Challenge

• What are the suggestions from the writer?
• Is it easy to see what others are doing wrong?
• What does restoring a person to follow JESUS look like to you?
• Do you have any blind spots that you should be careful of when guiding a person back to GOD’s restoration, that you should be aware of and may fall into?

Know the Audience

 

Know the Audience

Acts 23: ⁶ Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” ⁷ When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. ⁸ (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.)

 

⁹ There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees stood up and argued vigorously. “We find nothing wrong with this man,” they said. “What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” ¹⁰ The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.

 

¹¹ The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

 

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When I saw the agenda, I prepared for only 15 minutes of material. My portion was supposed to only be ten minutes with five minutes of question and answers. I shook off the nervousness as I spoke to the large crowd about some, not so good, news. The question and answer period turned into a rage filled rant session at what I presented. I got off the stage two and a half hours later.

 

• There were times when I should have studied who I was going to present to.
• There were times when I should have prepared myself for the audience I was talking to.
• There were times when I should have been ready for any audience.

 

Paul recognized who he was speaking to. He saw Sadducees and Pharisees. One group believed in the resurrection, angels and demonic spirits. The other believed in morality through the law without resurrection. Paul spoke to the core of where the two groups disputed. This caused an uproar. Later, the LORD encouraged Paul that he would be safe.

 

• GOD wants me to learn about HIM.
• GOD wants me to seek people to tell about HIS amazing love.
• GOD wants me to be ready to speak about JESUS in different ways because each person is special to HIM.

 

Talking “at” people about JESUS is a turn-off. I mean, the way I approach people needs to be tailored to the individual. The HOLY SPIRIT is gentle and guides me with gentle words. HE takes my harsh, direct words and softens them to those who need kindness.

 

HE toughens my soft words and enables me to deliver a stronger message to those who may have caused someone harm. JESUS is my guide and the HOLY SPIRIT is my lead.

 

• Who has GOD put on your mind?
• What words is HE giving you to tell that person about JESUS?
• Will you take a moment to learn about the person so the HOLY SPIRIT can deliver the right words at the right time through you today?

Willing to restore

Willing to restore

John 21: ¹⁵ So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”

He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”

He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”

¹⁶ He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”

He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”

He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”

¹⁷ He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”

And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”

Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. ¹⁸ Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” ¹⁹ This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”

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Returning to the job, after sneaking off, the supervisor expressed his disappointment. I smelled like cooked food because I did just that. “I expect this from everyone else, but you… you disappointed me. I wish I could erase the mistake.

• Regrets are difficult to overcome.
• Regrets make me think of what I could have done right?
• Regrets play in my mind over and over without a cure.

Peter had denied JESUS in front of HIM and others before HE was crucified. JESUS, being risen, asked him “Do you love ME?” Peter says, “Of course.” BUT JESUS asks again and again. This would get to Peter’s heart response, rather than his head.

• In order to be restored, I must seek restoration.
• In order to be restored, I must humble myself.
• In order to be restored, I must recognize the One who restores.

GOD is not an egomaniac, HE is GOD. HE wants me to see I need HIM to restore me because I cannot restore myself. I can’t tell HIM how good I have been, or how bad someone else has been. GOD hears me when I say “I have sinned and need YOUR mercy.”

When HE hears this, HE does something amazing. HE gives me something to do. HE says “Feed MY lambs, tend MY sheep and feed MY sheep.” This means I am to go and follow HIM so I can be restored. HE is willing to restore.

• Have you messed up and have not admitted it?
• Do you think you need restoration, but are too proud to seek it?
• Will you stop trying to justify your position and seek restoration from GOD today?

Catch Statements

Mark 11: ²⁷ Then they came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him. ²⁸ And they said to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?”

²⁹ But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: ³⁰ The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me.”

³¹ And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ ³² But if we say, ‘From men’”—they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed. ³³ So they answered and said to Jesus, “We do not know.”

And Jesus answered and said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

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Collecting as much information as I could, I was on a quest. I asked several people and they gave me their version of the story. “Guilty” was my verdict, but I knew he was guilty all along. When I approached him I had my questions already prepared. I was going to catch him in a lie.

• There were times when I went out to interrogate.
• There were times when I demanded a confession.
• There were times when I wanted “that” person to say exactly what I wanted to hear.

The church leaders had their questions already prepared. They felt they were in charge and demanded an answer to their pointed question on authority. JESUS, being GOD, could easily see through their plot. HE asked them about something “they” were guilty about. They had no answer.

• JESUS wants me to stay away from twisting the truth.
• JESUS wants me to recognize when I am trying so hard to get my way that I would interrogate my opponents.
• JESUS wants me to grow up enough to seek grace instead of guilt.

When I choose to “get down to the bottom of this” I place myself in authority. This self-appointed search for “my” truth can lead to questions that pup people in catch 22 positions. In other words no matter what they say they would be wrong. BUT GOD wants me to set people up for success. No matter what they did, they are forgiven through JESUS. GOD wants me to seek grace.

• Are you looking for someone to be guilty?
• Do you like feeling you are in charge?
• Will you stop trying to be the one who catches people and see grace for them?