Justin Houtz

Numbers 3, Romans 3

DateVersionReading Plan
April 30, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Numbers 3

Observation

The chapter opens with the generations of Aaron and Moses. Of the sons of Aaron, there was Nadab (firstborn), Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. Nadab and Abihu had since died due to offering unauthorized fire before the LORD in the wilderness (Num. 3:3), leaving Eleazar and Ithamar who served as priests during the lifetime of their father, Aaron (Num. 3:4).

The LORD spoke to Moses and gave instruction on how the Levites were to minister to Him. They were to keep guard over Aaron and all the furnishings of the tabernacle (Num. 3:7-9). The LORD told Moses that He had taken the Levites from among the people of Israel instead of every firstborn (Num. 3:11-12). “The substitution of the Levites in place of the firstborn for the service of the tabernacle explains what it meant that the firstborn be dedicated to God (compare Exod 13:1–2; note on Num 3:1–51).” (FSB). The LORD said to Moses that He consecrated for His own all the firstborn of Israel on the day He struck down all the firstborn in Egypt. The CSB Notes explains that “The price of the Israelite redemption in the exodus was the death of the firstborn of Egypt, from Pharaoh to slave, as well as the firstborn of all Egyptian animals.” Directly following was the listing of the sons of Levi, their belongings, responsibilities and count of all males a month old and upward (Num. 3:14-38).

The LORD then told Moses to list all firstborn males among the people of Israel a month old and upward. Moses did so and the total number was 22,273 (Num. 3:43). The Levites were to be taken instead of all the firstborn males and animals of the people (Num. 3:44-45). However, the Levite coverage of the firstborn was short by 273 people. “In place of the ‘missing’ 273, each of those ‘extra’ firstborn from among Israel paid the sanctuary five shekels.” (FSB). Moses took the redemption money, 1,365 shekels, and gave it to Aaron and his sons according to the word of the LORD as he was commanded (Num. 3:49-51).

Application

The price of redemption paid by the firstborn of Egypt at the time of the exodus points to a crucial understanding within the Biblical narrative, namely, that redemption comes at a cost. The wages of sin is death and this must be paid either by the self or by an intercessory party through sacrifice. The substitutional atonement made on the Israelites’ behalf at the time of the exodus was a shadow of a greater atonement to come. Christ is the object from whom this shadow is cast—the fulfillment of prophecy of the forthcoming Messiah—and by His death on the cross is achieved the final and complete sacrifice needed for the redemption of all mankind for all time.

Romans 3

Observation

Paul clarifies that Jews have advantage and that circumcision has value as the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. However, Paul also “addresses several implications to which critics mistakenly thought his teachings would lead.” (CSB Notes). The CSB Notes continue in explanation:

For example, if God is shown to be in the right by man’s sin and error, then God is honored by our shortcomings. How then can God punish us when we have helped display his righteousness? But Paul answered that as a matter of principle God’s judgment of sin is always righteous. People who think otherwise deserve condemnation, for their true focus is not on glorifying God but on giving free rein to their sinful desires.”

Paul instructs on the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ, that there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile as all fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). Believers are justified by God’s grace as a gift that came through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood to be received by faith (Rom. 3:24-25). This was to show God’s righteousness at the proper time that He might be both just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus (Rom. 3:26).

Paul elucidates that he holds to the truth that God justifies by faith apart from works of the law and that God is the God of both Jew and Gentile who justifies the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith (Rom. 3:29-30). However, Paul makes certain that this faith does not overthrow the law but rather upholds it (Rom. 3:31).

Application

Following on the previous reflection of Numbers 3, this chapter beautifully continues in the vein of redemption. The precious gift of grace came through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. In Him we have forgiveness of sins and full assuagement of the wrath of God that is our due. This we receive by faith and respond with living in full surrender to Him as Lord and Savior, devoted to Him through the pursuit of holiness and obedience in every manner of our being.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Son who paid the ransom to have me redeemed. Father, help me to never forget the great cost at which this came and that my life would be as a faithful ambassador of Your abounding love.

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