The Lord also said to Moses, “I have taken the Levites from among the Israelites in place of the
first male offspring of every Israelite woman. The Levites are mine, for all the firstborn are mine. When I struck down all the firstborn
in Egypt, I set apart for myself every firstborn in Israel, whether human or
animal. They are to be mine. I am the Lord.” Numbers 3:11-13
The firstborn human
had a place of special significance since they received the inheritance of the
family and were next in line for family leadership when the patriarch
died. The firstborn animal of a mother also
reflected a theme of importance.
In Egypt, when God
wiped out all the firstborns who did not cover their door frames with blood,
God showed that He had a special place for firstborns in that they represented
life and family. He wanted them
protected by the blood of the lamb.
Jesus came to earth
as the firstborn son. He Himself is presented
as the one and only Son of God. It’s a
theme of birth significance that points to Jesus.