Numbers 8

(April 12, 2014)
The Lord, according to His own word, could take the firstborn of Israel both of man and beast.  Instead of taking the men, however, he took only the tribe of Levi.  This represented 1/13 of the population, so that unless the average family size was 13+ children, the Lord was taking less than He was due.  This seems to be ever so common in our dealings with the Lord.  He has, by right, the capacity to take everything we ever have or own.  Instead, He sets out what we are to give Him.  Then, if we are willing to give Him this He will often take far less if that represents our best efforts towards meeting our obligations.  His mercy towards us is so often like His mercy towards the children of Israel.  He saves them all, making them all His.  He asks only for the firstborn, and then takes only a small portion of Israel instead.  And He calls that sufficient.