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The Law of the Firstborn

Article by Staff

It is an unusual fact that the subjects of God's spring holy days and firstborns appear in the same contexts. Here is what this means to us.

Lessons From the Eighth Day

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

The Eighth Day is a festival which concludes God's Holy Day cycle. While Scripture seems to give very few direct instructions, deeper study reveals it is a culminating and sacred assembly (atzeret) focused not on rejoicing or sacrifices, but instead on retention, reflection, and renewal. The Eighth Day connotes both completion and new beginnings. Biblically, the number eight signifies abundance, regeneration, and new life, as we see in circumcision, priestly consecration, and purification laws, all of which identify transition from preparation to fulfillment. For example, for seven days, God's people dwell in temporary booths, feasting and learning, but on the Eighth Day, they pause solemnly to retain what was gained, dedicating themselves anew to God. This solemn day depicts the ultimate fulfillment of God's divine plan. Just as the priests, after seven days of consecration, saw the glory of God appear on the eighth day, similarly, after 7000 years of human history, finally the Eighth Millennium will dawn, when all creation is made new, death is destroyed, and God dwells eternally with His people (Revelation 21). Consequently, we must reflect on what God has produced in us, offering ourselves as His portion, entering a new beginning of consecrated service, anticipating the time when God is all in all, making abundance, joy, and perfection eternally complete.

An Abundant Spiritual Offering

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

The number eight signifies a new start with abundance abundance following a period of time (a week, seven years, or a millennium) of preparatory activity.

The Priesthood of God (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The firstborn privileges indicate prominence, carrying the birthright promises. In the New Testament, the firstborn did not always correspond to actual birth order.