Doctrinal pointers by Gerald B. Stanton, Th.D.
THEOLOGICALLY THINKING
First-born
T he frequent use of the term “first born” in Scripture indicates an im portance which is not always fully recognized. Both the family life and the worship of Israel are directly in volved with an application not only to the sacrificial system of Israel but also to Christ Himself. As applied to Christ, our Lord is set forth as “ . . . the firstborn among many brethren” (Rom. 8:29). He is head and chief over all that countless multitude who, through Him, have been made the sons of God. Christ is also represented as “ . . . the first born from the dead” (Col. 1:18). By virtue of His resurrection, He is the first-born out from among the multi tudes held in the grip of death. He brews 1:6 represents the Father as bringing Christ, His first-begotten, into the^world with all the privileges of an only-begotten Son. Israel, too, is spoken of as “ . . . my son, even my firstborn” (Ex. 4:22). Similarly, God declares “ . . . I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn” (Jer. 31:9). The thought here is not difficult. Israel was cho sen of God as a peculiar possession out from among the other nations of earth. Likewise, Israel was sovereign ly entitled to special privileges (Rom. 9:4,5). The recognition of the first-born son achieved paramount importance in the days of Israel’s flight from Egypt. It will be remembered that the tenth and last plague brought against the Egyptians inflicted death upon their first-born. Heroditus re cords that it was the custom of the Egyptians, when death struck, to rush from the house into the street with loud and bitter outcries. Every mem ber of the family bewailed the dead and united in this expression of sor row. How great must have been the cry of grief and terror when “ . . . at midnight the Lord smote all the first born in the land of Egypt” (Ex. 12: 12, 29)! None escaped, “ . . . from the firstborn of Pharoah unto the first born of the captive in his dungeon, and also the firstborn of all cattle.” Because of the deliverance wrought in Egypt that night by the applica tion of blood upon their houses, the first-bom of man and beast in Israel became a peculiar possession unto Jehovah (Ex. 12:13; 13:2,3). God de clared: “ . . . The firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me” (Ex. 22:29). For this reason the first-bom were
brought to the sanctuary and dedicat ed to the Lord, although the Levites later substituted for them in the serv ice of the tabernacle (Num. 18:23). The sanctity of the first-bom was easily appreciated in Israel, for the possession of children (especially of the male sex) was esteemed as the very climax of social happiness (Gen. 16:2; 30:1; Deut. 7:13,14. Great significance was attached in Israel to the matter of the birthright. This was a superior right to inheri tance and to the leadership of the family vested in the first-bom son. Such a one became the head of the family upon the death of the father and received a larger share of the inheritance. Possibly this was intend ed to enable him to maintain the fe male members of the household, who ordinarily had no share in the inheri tance. According to the Talmud, the first-bom son was also obligated to give a dowry to his sister when she married. The first-bom might re nounce or sell his birthright and thus avoid such obligations. There is some suggestion that the first-bom received an inheritance double that of his brothers (Deut. 21: 17). Also, it was his special privi lege to receive a blessing from the father before he died (Gen. 27:4; 48: 13-20). Normally, the first-bom could not be disinherited (Deut. 21: 15-17). However, a father could prac tically abolish the right of the first born by dividing his property among his children prior to his death. In actual practice, the concept of birth right was frequently set aside, for both Isaac and Jacob were younger sons. Ephraim was preferred before Manasseh, and Aaron was subordi nate to his younger brother, Moses. David, too, was the youngest of the family, and his throne was trans- mitte4 to a younger son, Solomon. Finally, it should be noted that the first-bom among animals also be longed to the Lord; these were nor mally referred to as “firstlings” (Gen. 4:4; Ex. 13:12). Such were sacrificed before Jehovah after eight days if they were free from every spot or blemish (Ex. 22:30; Lev. 22:19; Num. 18:17). After this fashion there was preserved in Israel the knowledge of shed blood for the forgiveness of sins. How constantly such sacrifices point ed forward to the Lamb of God who would be slain to redeem the world (John 1:29). END.
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