Count all the firstborn Israelite males

“The Lord said to Moses, “Count all the firstborn Israelite males who are a month old or more and make a list of their names.” (Numbers 3:40)

 

It is a current society where the universality of individual human rights of men and women of all ages is emphasized. It is a reality that if the authority as men or the elderly is put forward by a traditional Korean perception of past, legal sanctions can be imposed. For that reason, we can’t shake off a little bitter feeling. It is a world in which the atmosphere of faith has strangely changed enough to cause refutation even if the pastor insists on the absoluteness of Jesus salvation at church. It seems there isn’t any other Books in the Bible that looks as boring as Leviticus and Numbers. Some might feel bored with the Bible content, because the Israelite’s numbers or the explanation of sacrificial rites to God is repeated. Also, it cannot be simply understandable that the temple and the role of the Levites is so emphasized that. However, you need to know the fact God is not the Lord who changes according to the changes of the times.

 

The faster the change and the greater the development of times, we have to hold the center of balance firmly more. The problem of balance is the same together for individuals, countries, or the world. Individuals are the basic subjects in every society of the country or the world. Therefore, educating individuals is the way to change society as a whole. The universe and the world are called KOSMOS in Greek. And humans are referred to as small universe, that is, microcosm. That’s an expression that gets think that man has a key to the world and the universe. The universe is moving in God’s order. God’s order begins with creation and proceeds along with the providence of salvation. Inside God's the order, it exist ‘Israel’ ‘the holy temple’ ‘Christ’ and ‘Church’. And the Levites in the Bible are the ones in place of the firstborn for all the Israelites.

God commanded that the Levites be offered to God on behalf of the first males born in Israel. He also said that behalf the first born of the livestock of all Israel, they should give the Levites’ livestock to the Lord. It’s a common and traditional idea of all people to value their first child. Even though perceptions have changed in modern times, existing perceptions will not disappear completely. Why is that? It’s because that is a command God gave to people in the first place. Such a change in people’s perception these days is founded on respect for individual personality and equality. The expansion of personal rights, how excellent is that argument? But the problem behind it is that they don’t understand and turn away from the original intentions that the Creator has commanded. What does that mean?

God referred to the eldest as ‘mine’. If then, does that mean those not being the eldest does not belong to God? No! In fact, there is nothing in the world that does not belong to God. There is something often misunderstood by those who pay the tithes of offering money at church. It is that the tithes is the money distinguished as God’s possession. Of course that’s a right idea, yet you might wonder because I say as if it’s wrong. One sided understanding of thinking the tithes as God’s money is right, but also the broad understanding that all money is given from God is important. The same goes for the issue of the firstborn of children and livestock. Thus it is more essential to have an attitude of faith that understands the narrow meaning and the broad meaning together. Then there will disappear distortion of order in thoughts and actions.

The eldest represents the beginning and newness of man’s energy. And the eldest is in a more anticipated position than anyone else. At the same time, there is a higher possibility for the eldest to make mistakes. For it is responsibility and expectation are given more to him together. In Genesis 49:3, “Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, the first sign of my strength,” said Jacob. Reuben, by the way, did a great immorality committed adultery with his father’s concubine, Bilhah. Because of that, Reuben became cursed, let alone blessed. The Levites were appointed as God’s workmen on behalf of all Israel. Christ has become a sacrifice to remove all men’s sins. Likewise, Christians are as the members of the Christ church, who have a spiritual mission to pray for everyone in the world.

 

The words “Count all the firstborn Israelite males” means to check precisely what and how much to give to God. “Jesus offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission.”, as written in Hebrews 5:7. The leaders of the church would have to pray earnestly instead of them for the church, as written in Hebrews 13:17 “as those who must give an account,” with following the Jesus’. Likewise, Christians and churches must themselves sacrifice to identify what the problem and pray, to solve problems of the world within the salvation of Christ.

 

(Written by Koonoh, Pastor of JDO Presbyterian Church in Korea, on May 28th 2023)