Redeeming Stamps, Redeeming Souls

O. T. #252  "Redeeming Stamps, Redeeming Souls"
March 24, 2014
Exodus 34-Part 3
All the firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem.  Exodus 34:20b

LET IT GLOW

Forty years ago I would redeem green stamps that I had collected from merchants throughout the year. I would lick the stamps and place them in special books. Then I would take them to the special store and get merchandise in exchange for the books filled with stamps. The stamps were used in place of money. We have a Redeemer who took our place in payment for our sins. It is Jesus Christ. Have you asked Him to be your Redeemer?

Moses is still on Mt. Sinai, conversing with the LORD God, getting the tablets again. We previously read where God prohibited Israel making false gods. What else did He instruct?

• Keep and celebrate the Feast of the Unleavened Bread by eating bread without yeast, leaven, for 7 days, at the appointed time. This was the Passover, where the first born of the Egyptians died, but the first born of the Israelites, safe under the blooded door post, lived. Israel's firstborn son belonged to the Lord. (verses 18-20)
• The firstborn ox, cattle, and sheep belonged to the LORD. They could redeem the firstborn donkey with a lamb. If it was not redeemed, the donkey's neck was to be broken. (Aren't we like donkeys, in need of the Lamb of God as our Redeemer?)
•  They could redeem their first born son. (verse 19)

Christ was referred to as Mary's firstborn, in Luke 2:7.
Who is our Redeemer?
Paul says in Galatians 3:13, Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.

Titus 2:14 says, Who gave himself  (Jesus Christ) for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works.

Isaiah 41:14 states, Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Romans 3:23-24 tell us For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 1:14 reminds us, In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.

Do you know this redeemer? Jesus loves you so much that He came to redeem you, pay the price for our sins so we don't have to.

LET IT GROW

In verse 21, God told the Israelites to strictly observe the Sabbath. they were to work six days and rest on the seventh, even during the harvest time. God was concerned for our physical rest and well-being.

Do we rest and worship our Savior on the Lord's Day? Or is Sunday like any other day of the week?
What are we teaching our family?

LET IT GO

Take a day off, rest, read the Bible, go to worship on Sunday.

Thank Jesus for redeeming my soul.