The Ordinance of Firstborn (9): What God Says

The Ordinance of Firstborn (9): What God Says

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

In this penultimate instalment of our meditation on the ordinance of firstborn, we shall take a look at what God says about firstborns. This is to provide more context to some of the points we made earlier across this series.

It is worth stressing again that God has an expectation as far as life and living go, including everything between them. Even though He made humans free moral agents with the ability to make their own independent choices and decisions, the fact that there are consequences, which could either be positive or negative, desirable or disastrous, for some of those choices and decisions we make only justify the fact that there are standards we are meant to meet in our choices and decisions.

This is the same principle that applies to the issue of firstborns as well. However, in this particular regard, God is more upfront in His requirements. And if we consider the point we just made in the above paragraph on effects and consequences, then we will realize we are better served aligning with God’s expectations than going in the opposite direction.

In our reference passage today, God was unequivocal in His claim of firstborns or whatever opens the womb of humans and animals. That ordinance stands and has not been nullified. Jesus did not abrogate it, as some may zealously argue on the ground that He canceled all the ordinances in the Old Testament. While that is debatable in itself, He did not refute this one. Otherwise, we would have read it in one of the synoptic gospels. Therefore, the ordinance of firstborn is in force till this day and will be for as long as the earth shall remain.

Here are some more passages of the Bible that capture God’s expectations in regard to firstborn:

“All that open the womb are Mine, and every male firstborn among your livestock, whether ox or sheep. – Exodus 34:19

“Everything that first opens the womb of all flesh, which they bring to the Lord, whether man or beast, shall be yours; nevertheless the firstborn of man you shall surely redeem, and the firstborn of unclean animals you shall redeem. – Numbers 18:15

“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, 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. 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. 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. 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.’ – Exodus 13:11-15

Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, – Genesis 4:4

Even though this ordinance was established for the Israelites, as seen in Exodus 13:11-15, the scenario of Cain and Abel tells us that it predated them. Observing it was what Abel did that stood him in good standing with God and earned him God’s respect. It is safe to say that neglecting it was what led to Cain’s own frustration and failure.

To be continued…

You Will Succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

• The Ordinance of Firstborn (8): Common Factors Among Firstborns that Succeeded
• Understanding God: God of Product Recall and Fresh Beginnings
• Self-Appraisal
• I Believe…
• Rescued from the Deepest Pits

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