AM Bible Study Group; July 13, 2011
Deuteronomy 15:19-23
Theme: In this passage, we find—in God’s sanctification of the firstborn—a picture of Christ.
When you go on a road trip, you sometimes come to a sign that indicates that a “point of interest” is ahead. It’s often good to pull off the road, visit the point of interest, and enjoy the view. This morning’s passage is a “point of interest” in our travel through the book of Deuteronomy. We need to stop at this short passage and take a look at the view it gives us; because it gives us a picture of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It has to do with God’s law regarding the sanctity of the firstborn of the flocks and the livestock of Israel. God gave a special status to “firsts”. He commands that the firstfruits of the produce be given to Him. He commanded in the law that a double portion of the inheritance be given to the “firstborn” of men. And here, He ordained that the firstborn of the cattle and flocks be devoted to Him. This is important for us to look at; because it gives us a picture of our atoning Substitute Jesus Christ—who was a “firstborn Son” (see Luke 2:7); and who was treated as the law concerning the firstborn Son commanded (Luke 2:22-24).
Note in this passage . . .
I. THE SANCTITY OF THE FIRSTBORN (v. 19a).
A. In the book of Deuteronomy, reference had already been made to the “firstborn” of the livestock of Israel (see 12:6-7; 14:23). But the law had been much more explicit about it elsewhere (see Exodus 13:11-16; 22:29-30; 34:19-20; Leviticus 27:26-27; Numbers 18:15-18). The sanctity of the firstborn was meant, in part, to commemorate the deliverance God brought about for the people of Israel by taking the firstborn of Egypt (see Exodus 13:14-16).
B. Note that the firstborn that are set aside to God are, specifically, “males that come from your heard and your flock”. This draws our attention to Jesus Christ, the firstborn Son of Mary, who was declared to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). God said that this firstborn was to be “sanctified” (that is, set apart) “to the Lord your God”—just as was our Lord.
II. THE TREATMENT OF THE FIRSTBORN (v. 19b).
A. One could imagine a temptation that might arise in the heart of an Israelite. He was commanded to set aside the firstborn for sacrifice to the Lord; but it might have been tempting to make some use of that firstborn before the sacrifice came. But God forbade this. “[Y]ou shall do no work with the firstborn of your heard, nor shear the firstborn of your flock.” It was not to be used for, as we might say, “secular” purposes.
B. In the same way, the Lord Jesus Christ—our atoning Sacrifice—was not of this world. He lived among men; but was devoted to God and walked in constant obedience to His will. He always did the Father’s will. He was not of this world.
III. THE UNION WITH THE FIRSTBORN (v. 20).
A. The family who had the firstborn of the flock or herd was to bring it to the place that God established. They were not to offer it anywhere they chose; because it was His. Note that Jesus was crucified on a hill in Jerusalem by the temple as the firstborn Sacrifice of humanity—an offering devoted to the Lord.
B. After it was offered, and the portions that were devoted to the priests had been given, the family was to eat the firstborn. They were to become united to it. In the same way, we are to be united to our firstborn Sacrifice Jesus. We are united to His life, His death, and His resurrection by faith.
C. The firstborn of any animal—logically—could only be offered once. But each firstborn was to be faithfully offered—whenever it was born. This was to happen annually; meaning that the offering of the firstborn was to be a regular and perpetual event. In the same way, our Savior—Jesus Christ—is our firstborn offering perpetually.
IV. THE PERFECTION OF THE FIRSTBORN (vv. 21-23).
A. No firstborn was to be offered if it had a defect. If it was lame, or blind, or had any crippling imperfection, it may be eaten as a regular animal would be; but it was not to be offered as “sanctified” to the Lord. And as always, with all animals that were eaten, the blood was to be avoided.
B. This, too, is a picture of Jesus. He had no imperfection. He was not tainted with the sin of Adam; and He committed no sins of His own. Thus, as the Scriptures tell us, God “made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
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We should pay special attention then to the picture that God gives us in this law of the firstborn; because we are united by faith to all that is true of Jesus Christ—”the firstborn over all creation” (Colossians 1:15). As the writer of Hebrews puts it:
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel (Hebrews 12:22-24; emph. added).