Numbers 3:44-51 & 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking him to meet you and speak to you.

Bible Reading

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle. The Levites shall be mine: I am the Lord. And as the redemption price for the 273 of the firstborn of the people of Israel, over and above the number of the male Levites, you shall take five shekels per head; you shall take them according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel of twenty gerahs), and give the money to Aaron and his sons as the redemption price for those who are over.” So Moses took the redemption money from those who were over and above those redeemed by the Levites. From the firstborn of the people of Israel he took the money, 1,365 shekels, by the shekel of the sanctuary. And Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and his sons, according to the word of the Lord, as the Lord commanded Moses.

– Numbers 3:44-51

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

– 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Devotion

The third chapter of Numbers tells us how the Levites and the cattle of the Levites are wholly dedicated to God and His service. These individuals are set apart for God’s purposes as redemption for the firstborns of the all of the other tribes. The extra firstborns above the number of Levites are redeemed with a price; in this case, 5 shekels per head. The Levites had no choice in their service since God decided who they were even before they were born. These individuals were then devoted to the service of God for their entire lives. The firstborn of the other tribes of Israel were redeemed; the Levites took their place in the service to the LORD.

We see in 1 Corinthians 6 that, as believers, we also were bought with a price. This text in many ways parallels the Numbers 3 account, where the believers who have been called were bought with the ultimate price; namely the blood of Jesus Christ. The idea of redemption reminds us that we were at one time slaves to sin but have been purchased and set free. We are likewise reminded that our freedom in many ways is not free, nor is it ours to waste away, but rather we have been given purpose and bought for a specific reason; namely to glorify God.

The Big Question

Do we live in light of the freedom that we possess? Do our lives have purpose in glorifying God, or do they reflect a life that is centered on our own passions, goals, and desires?

Conclude in prayer and silence reflecting on what you’ve learned.