Redemption of the First Born

Redemption of the First Born

“And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Look, I have chosen the Levites from among the Israelites to serve as substitutes for all the firstborn sons of the people of Israel.

The Levites belong to me, for all the firstborn males are mine. On the day I struck down all the firstborn sons of the Egyptians, I set apart for myself all the firstborn in Israel, both of people and of animals. They are mine; I am the Lord.’” Numbers 3:11-13 “And of all the Israelites, I have assigned the Levites to Aaron and his sons. They will serve in the Tabernacle on behalf of the Israelites and make sacrifices to purify the people so no plague will strike them when they approach the sanctuary.” Numbers 8:9

Not only were the Levites to serve as a substitutes in place of the rest of the children of Israel, they were also protected them from the plagues of God just as the lamb served as a way to protect against the wrath of God during the death of the first born in Egypt. So the priesthood was a type of lamb in a symbolic way. They stood between the wrath of God and the people by taking their place and so they would not die. They served as covering from punishment and allowed for one to live at peace with God. This tradition reminds me of the Jewish Priest that we have in the Messiah.

“So Messiah has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world. With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever. Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. Just think how much more the blood of Messiah will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God.

For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Messiah offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Messiah died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.” Hebrews 9:11-15 Just as the high priest of the earthly sanctuary took the place of the people, the Messiah takes our place.

Picture originally found here

Related Articles

More From Traditions

Plate of lox, as featured in Allan Sherman's song

There is Nothing Like a Lox

Do you like Jewish food? What is your favorite? Bagels and cream cheese? Blintzes?
There is Nothing Like a Lox

Magen David

The Magen David is the six pointed star also known as the Star of David. Magen David literally…
Magen David

Kaddish

There are several Jewish traditions surrounding the death loved ones. We say the mourner’s…
Kaddish

Tsitsit

The custom of putting Tsitsit, fringes or tassels, on the corners of garments originates in the…
Tsitsit

The Cantor

Music is very important in Jewish life and has a significant role in the worship services.…
The Cantor

Archie Bunker Does Shabbat

Carroll O'Connor and Jean Stapleton as Archie and Edith Bunker from All in the Family sit down…
Archie Bunker Does Shabbat

Sha'Atnez

Sha'atnez is the term used for clothing made with a mixture of wool and linen fibres. This…
Sha'Atnez

Haftarah

הפטרה (Haftarah), the name given to the reading from the Prophetic books which follows the…
Haftarah

Bar Mitzvah

When a young boy reaches the age of thirteen he is termed a bar mitzvah, which literally means…
Bar Mitzvah
Havdallah

Havdallah

Havdallah means “separation” and is a service used to separate the holiness of the Sabbath from…
Havdallah

Yiddish Part Two

Prior to the Holocaust, Yiddish, a language more resembling Middle High German than anything…
Yiddish Part Two

The Shochet-Jewish Tradition

Have you ever wondered what a shochet is? It is known that Torah observant believers keep a…
The Shochet-Jewish Tradition
Candles

Candles

Candles are very special in Jewish tradition because they are said to represent the light from…
Candles

Adopt a Jewish Mother

Rent a son! In Japan people actually hire someone to be a “father” or “friend” for a day.
Adopt a Jewish Mother

Publish the Menu module to "offcanvas" position. Here you can publish other modules as well.
Learn More.


donation