Musing - What is Meaning of “FirstBorn”?

 Hebraic Musing - What is Meaning of “FirstBorn”?  

I have pondered this ever since my 2003 ordination by the Filipino Assemblies of the FirstBorn (FAFB)!

If the fellowship is to be known as “The FirstBorn”, then it helps to fully understand the significance of the term.  Many other denominations are known by single words like “Assembly”, “Baptist”, “Nazarenes”, “Catholic”, “Methodists”, “Pres…”, “Angl…”, etc.  

The word “FirstBorn” appears over 100 times in our Bible! 

First mention or first use of the word FirstBorn has to do with God’s favor, thus the definition is established.  “But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock.  The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering…” Genesis 4:4 NIV

The FirstBorn have a special place in Biblical times.  Moses was told by the LORD to confront Pharaoh, the enemy.  “Then say to Pharaoh, This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son, and I told you, ‘Let my son go, so he may worship me.’ But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.'" Exodus 4:22-23 NIV  Important point because the Egyptians also attached significance to primogeniture and birthright.  The death of Pharaoh and the Egyptian's firstborn at the first Passover is direct recompense for God's identification of Israel as his own firstborn.

And in Num. 3:13. “…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 man or animal. They are to be mine. I am the LORD.”

Rom 8:29-30.  “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”

Heb. 11:28 speaking of Moses – “By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.”

FirstBorn are the ones whose names are written in Heavenly Places!  “...to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect,...” Heb. 12:23

According to Hebrew midrash – “Originally, the firstborn of every Jewish family was intended to serve as a priest in the temple in Jerusalem as priests to the Jewish people but they lost this role after the sin of the golden calf when this privilege was transferred to the male descendants of Aaron.”  Are you serving in the role of “priest” as Peter describes you and me?  “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God,…” 1 Peter 2:9

Who is Jesus?  “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.”  Colossians 1:15-16   Some think those words were from a song that was popular in Paul’s time!

Christianity applies the concept of firstborn to Jesus of Nazareth as "firstborn from the dead."  “But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God.  You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.”  Hebrews 12:22-23 NIV   Does the word “you” in these two verses apply to you?

Points to Ponder

Are you a FirstBorn?  (by the LORD’s definition)

Are you a member of the “Church of the FirstBorn”?

♫  My heart will sing like Your firstborn Son.  Not my will, but Yours be done. … ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                   May 31, 2022

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of Christian faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”      InsightsByYosef.blogspot.com