Scripture:

Numbers 3:11-13

11 The Lord also said to Moses, 12 “I have taken the Levites from among the Israelites in place of the first male offspring of every Israelite woman. The Levites are mine, 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 human or animal. They are to be mine. I am the Lord.”

"Redeemed for Purpose"

The Levites had a special purpose: to "SERVE" the LORD.   They were set apart "Qadash," here as well as in Numbers 8, this verse is repeated, citing that through the firstborn of Egypt, God has redeemed the firstborn of Israel.  So, two things: redemption comes at a price, and redemption is meant for a purpose, to serve the Lord. In today's portion, it becomes clear that God never does something without purpose; it never comes without a cost.

You and I were redeemed at a great cost, the life of the only begotten Son of God, Jesus.  And we were redeemed to serve the Lord with our whole lives; the Levites were dedicated to the Lord for service for their whole lives. Our redemption comes at a cost; God does not just want part of our lives, He wants our whole heart, He wants us.   He redeemed you and I that we would "return" to Him, that we would be His children.   Let that simmer...

Lord, I praise you for your redeeming work. You redeemed me from slavery. I once was held captive by sin, but I have been set free, redeemed from my past, that I would have a future with you, that I would serve you all the days of my life, and that my life would be lived more abundantly with you, that I would live a life that was intended, my prayer is that we would not take lightly the redeeming working of your Son, that it would Redeem us with Purpose, in Jesus' name, Amen!