Num 3:12-13 | KingComments | STEP | The Levites replaced the firstborn. The firstborn belongs in a special way to the LORD. He reminds Moses that He has sanctified them for Himself on the basis of the blood of the Lamb ( ). In the firstborn the whole people of God are represented. The right to the firstborn is the right to the whole people. The church is called the “church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven” ( ). Thus they are the property of God. This gives God the right to determine that they will serve the church. Members of the church are God’s special property and God has the right to give each member of the church a task. God asserts His right from the very moment of birth. Every believer is predestined to a certain task from his being born again onward (cf. ; ; ). The Levite only starts to perform his service when he is thirty years old. The whole period up to thirty years is preparation for this task. This can be applied to a service in the church. Before a person performs a public service in the church, he will also get to know God’s thoughts about his service better by reading and studying God’s Word. That does not mean that nothing is done at this time of preparation. A believer can testify of the Lord as soon as he is converted ( ). He can also thank the Lord in the church for his redemption. God asserts His right over those He redeems, and only by being of Him can redemption become a reality. Through the exchange between firstborn and Levites we see the two fundamental pillars on which the service rests: 1. The new birth and purification through the blood of Christ. 2. The connection to and sanctification for the Lord. The choice of God of this tribe shows us His grace. Their ancestor Levi is characterized by violence and cruelty ( ). But God glorifies Himself by making dedicated believers out of self-willed and cruel people.

‏ Numbers 3:12-13

The Levite Instead of the Firstborn

The Levites replaced the firstborn. The firstborn belongs in a special way to the LORD. He reminds Moses that He has sanctified them for Himself on the basis of the blood of the Lamb (Exo 12:1-28 ; Exo 13:1-13). In the firstborn the whole people of God are represented. The right to the firstborn is the right to the whole people.

The church is called the “church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven” (Heb 12:23). Thus they are the property of God. This gives God the right to determine that they will serve the church. Members of the church are God’s special property and God has the right to give each member of the church a task. God asserts His right from the very moment of birth. Every believer is predestined to a certain task from his being born again onward (cf. Gal 1:15; Acts 9:15; 1Tim 1:18).

The Levite only starts to perform his service when he is thirty years old. The whole period up to thirty years is preparation for this task. This can be applied to a service in the church. Before a person performs a public service in the church, he will also get to know God’s thoughts about his service better by reading and studying God’s Word. That does not mean that nothing is done at this time of preparation. A believer can testify of the Lord as soon as he is converted (Acts 9:20). He can also thank the Lord in the church for his redemption.

God asserts His right over those He redeems, and only by being of Him can redemption become a reality. Through the exchange between firstborn and Levites we see the two fundamental pillars on which the service rests:

1. The new birth and purification through the blood of Christ.

2. The connection to and sanctification for the Lord.

The choice of God of this tribe shows us His grace. Their ancestor Levi is characterized by violence and cruelty (Gen 49:5 ; Gen 34:25-31). But God glorifies Himself by making dedicated believers out of self-willed and cruel people.