Firstborn Son

Firstborn Son

In God’s instructions to Moses we see the heart of a Father who longs to be with his child. God commanded Moses to say these words when confronting Pharaoh: “This is what the LORD says: Israel is my firstborn son. I commanded you, ‘Let my son go, so he can worship me’” (Exodus 4:22-23).

Here we see why God cared about what happened to the Israelites, why—out of all the nations of the world—he went to the trouble of rescuing them from slavery. The loving Father wanted to rescue his children so they could be together with him as a family. Later God described his longing through his prophet Hosea: “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt” (11:1).

But God’s son Israel always proved a disappointment. God’s son grumbled and complained and rejected the Father who loved him. The people of Israel simply couldn’t live up to their Father’s standard. Another Son was needed who would do his Father’s business, accomplish his Father’s purpose, display his Father’s likeness, and demonstrate his Father’s love.

From his earliest days, Jesus seemed to understand his unique purpose, as well as his unique relationship, as God’s Son. When Jesus’ parents found him lingering in the synagogue at age twelve, he said, “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49, NKJV). Jesus was everything God had ever wanted in a Son. In his perfect obedience to his Father, he did what Israel could never do.

And because of what the Son of God accomplished in his obedience at the Cross, everyone who comes to him in faith becomes a true child of God. Paul called Jesus “the firstborn among many brothers” (Romans 8:29), because every believer is a child of God. Paul wrote to the Galatians, “You are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus” (3:26).

God sent his Son to rescue us so we can one day be together as a family. “He died for sinners to bring you safely home to God” (1 Peter 3:18).

My loving Father, you have rescued me so we can be together as a family! I know the day is coming when, because of what your beloved Son has done, we will all be together in the place you are preparing for us. Rescued from this world. Safe with you. At home.