The Ordinance of Firstborn (7): What God Requires of Firstborns

The Ordinance of Firstborn (7): What God Requires of Firstborns

And we made ordinances…to bring the firstborn of our sons and our cattle, as it is written in the Law, and the firstborn of our herds and our flocks, to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God. – Nehemiah 10:35-36

Because the requirement of God that all firstborn be offered to Him dates back to the very early days before the formal mode of worship or religion started, as we can see in the scenario of Cain and Abel, it means that it is still in force today and will be for as long as humanity shall exist. Although it remains a relatively unknown and less talked about ordinance today.Contrary to what some might say, Jesus did not come to abrogate it either. Rather, He only symbolized and exemplified it by offering Himself as a sacrifice, being the firstborn of God, the firstborn of all creations, and the firstborn of His earthly parents. Thus, He further entrenched the ordinance and did not dismiss it. Therefore, it is a mystery why not much is said about this ordinance of God, even before the time of Jesus. And that is why it is easy to forget it.The people of Israel to whom the ordinance was originally committed likewise fell short of it by forgetting to observe it for a long spell or neglecting to do it altogether until they came to repentance as they usually did after a period of suffering.As we can see in the reference passage above, it took a time of revival and rededication for them to revive the custom and reaffirm their commitment to start observing it again. Hence their promise in Nehemiah 10:35-36 in different versions of the Bible:

We obligate ourselves to…bring to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God, the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, as it is written in the Law, and the firstborn of our herds and of our flocks;

 (English Standard Version)

We agreed to give to God our oldest sons and the firstborn of all our cattle, herds, and flocks, just as the law requires; we presented them to the priests who minister in the Temple of our God.

(Living Bible)

We also accept responsibility, as is written in the law, for bringing the firstborn of our sons and our cattle and the firstborn of our herds and of our flocks to the temple of our God, to the priests who are ministering in the temple of our God.

(New English Translation)

“As it is also written in the Law, we will bring the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, of our herds and of our flocks to the house of our God, to the priests ministering there.

(New International Version)

We promise to bring to the house of our God the firstborn of our sons, animals, cattle and flocks, as it is written in the Law, for the religious leaders who are working in the house of our God.

(New Life Version)

We agree to give God our oldest sons and the firstborn of all our herds and flocks, as prescribed in the Law. We will present them to the priests who minister in the Temple of our God.

(New Living Translation)

These passages, presented in different versions of the Bible, offered insight as to why some firstborns might have been suffering afflictions and others do well. Firstborns whose parents did not observe this divine ordinance tend to be in the first category, while those whose parents observed it, even though they may not be aware of what they were doing, tend to do well. To be continued tomorrow…You Will Succeed in Jesus’ Name!Also read:

• The Ordinance of Firstborn (6): What God Requires of Firstborns
• Fathers in the Bible: Lamech, A Destiny-Shaping Father
• Prayer of a Six-Year-Old
• Reasons You Still Have Hope
• How Jesus Kept Me From Failing When All Physical Hope of Success Was Lost

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