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White\fs24\par \pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\kerning28\b FIRST OCCURRENCE\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\kerning0\b0 In the book of Genesis there are no occurrences of shed blood with respect to animal sacrifice. The first occurrence of blood with respect to animal sacrifice is the passover in \cf1\ul Exo_12:6-7\cf0\ulnone "And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and\b the whole assembly\b0 of the congregation of Israel \b shall kill it\b0 in the evening. \i 7.\i0 And they shall take of the \b blood, \b0 and strike \i it \i0 on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it." \cf1\ul Exo_12:12-13\cf0\ulnone\b \b0 "For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the \b firstborn \b0 .. when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy \i you\i0 ." The blood was placed on the door for the firstborn only. The passover was the slaying and eating of a lamb or a goat by all of Israel and Gentiles that had been circumcised. The sprinkling of blood was only for the firstborn who had the right of the birthright.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\sb60\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760 The first occurrence of the blood with respect to the passover sacrifice in the New Testament is in\b \cf1\ul\b0 Mat_26:26-28\cf0\ulnone "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed \i it, \i0 and brake \i it, \i0 and gave \i it \i0 to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is\b my body\b0 .\i \i0 (for all) \i 27. \i0 And he LVALtook the cup, and gave thanks, and gave \i it \i0 to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;\i 28. \i0 For this is my\b blood\b0 of the new testament, which is\b shed for many\b0 for the remission of sins."\b \cf1\ul\b0 Joh_19:30\cf0\ulnone "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said,\b It is finished\b0 : and he bowed his head, and\b gave up the ghost\b0 ." Jesus Christ was the passover "Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." \cf1\ul Joh_19:34\cf0\ulnone\b \b0 "But one of the soldiers with a spear\b pierced his side\b0 , and forthwith \b came there out blood and water\b0 ."\b \b0 The death of Jesus Christ and the shedding of his blood were separated from the time that He gave up the ghost and when the soldiers pierced his side. Jesus Christ did not bleed to death. If Jesus Christ had bled to death he would not have had the strength or be conscious enough to do what is recorded in\b \cf1\ul\b0 Luk_23:46\cf0\ulnone "And when Jesus had \b cried with a loud voice\b0 , he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he \b gave up the ghost."\b0 His blood was shed for many, for those who are the firstborn and entitled to the birthright. This is in agreement with the account of the killing of the passover lamb and the sprinkling of the blood in Exodus. \par \pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\kerning28\b PASSOVER AND SPRINKLING OF BLOOD\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\cf1\kerning0\ul Heb_11:28\cf0\ulnone\b0 "Through faith he kept the \b passover\b0 , \b and\b0 [\f1\fs26 kai\f0\fs24 , a conjunction] the \b sprinkling of blood\b0 , lest he that \b destroyed\b0 the \b firstborn\b0 should touch them." The conjunction, "\f1\fs26 kai\f0\fs24 " connects the passover with the sprinkling of blood, but it does not make them the same event. The passover lamb was for all in the house, but the blood was only for the firstborn. The sad thing is that all that were protected by the blood in Egypt were destroyed in the wilderness and LVALdid not enter into the land flowing with milk and honey, except the children of the children of Israel with Joshua and Caleb.\par \pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\kerning28\b THE FIRSTBORN\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\kerning0\b0 The firstborn was very important as shown in\b \cf1\ul\b0 Gen_38:28\cf0\ulnone "And it came to pass, when she travailed, that \i the one \i0 put out \i his \i0 hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a \b scarlet thread\b0 , saying, \b This came out first\b0 ." The use of a scarlet thread was no accident. Being scarlet seems to speak of the blood and the birthright of the firstborn. The firstborn was spared by the blood of the lamb. Rahab and her family were spared by the scarlet thread, the symbol for the firstborn, in \cf1\ul Jos_2:18\cf0\ulnone\b \b0 "Behold, \i when \i0 we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of\b scarlet thread\b0 in the window which thou didst let us down by..." Ref \cf1\ul Lev_14:1-6\cf0\ulnone\par \pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\kerning28\b THE RIGHT OF THE FIRSTBORN\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\kerning0 INHERITANCE: \cf1\ul\b0 Deu_21:16-17\cf0\ulnone "Then it shall be, when \b he maketh his sons\b0 to\b inherit\b0 \i that \i0 which \b he hath\b0 , \i that \i0 he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, \i which is indeed \i0 the \b firstborn\b0 :\i 17. \i0 But \b he shall acknowledge the son\b0 of the hated \i for \i0 the\b firstborn\b0 , by giving him a\b double portion\b0 of \b all\b0 that\b he hath\b0 : for he \i is \i0 the beginning of his strength;\b the right of the firstborn \i is \i0 his\b0 ." The inheritance of the firstborn was to be double that of his brothers. Joseph received the birthright, therefore his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh were given inheritances in the land, which, in essence, was twice that of Joseph's other brothers, yet not in area. The conduct of Simeon and Levi at Schekem also carried consequencesLVAL. The tribe of Levi had no inheritance in the land\b \cf1\ul\b0 Jos_13:14\cf0\ulnone "Only unto the tribe of Levi he gave\b none inheritance\b0 ; ..." The tribe of Simeon received a Gentile inheritance among the tribe of Judah. \cf1\ul Jos_19:1\cf0\ulnone "And the second lot came forth to \b Simeon, \b0\i even \i0 for the tribe of the children of \b Simeon \b0 according to their families: and\b their inheritance\b0 was \b within\b0 the \b inheritance of the children of Judah\b0 ." \par \pard\nowidctlpar\sb60\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760 It does make a difference how you live. If you despise the birthright you will lose reward and your inheritance. \cf1\ul 2Jo_1:8\cf0\ulnone "\b Look to yourselves\b0 , that we \b lose\b0 not those things which \b we have wrought\b0 , but that \b we receive a full reward\b0 ."\par \b THE BIRTHRIGHT: \cf1\ul\b0 Gen_25:30-31\cf0\ulnone "And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red \i pottage; \i0 for \b I \i am \i0 faint\b0 : therefore was his name called Edom.\i 31. \i0 And Jacob said,\b \b0 Sell me this day thy birthright." \cf1\ul Heb_12:16\cf0\ulnone\b \b0 "Lest there \i be \i0 any fornicator [as Reuben, 1 Chronicles 5:1], or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright." Esau lost his double portion inheritance and the blessing because he did not think the birthright was very important. \par Our inheritance is based on our service as shown in\b \cf1\ul\b0 Heb_9:14\cf0\ulnone "How much more shall the \b blood of Christ\b0 , ...purge your conscience from \b dead works\b0 \b to serve\b0 the living God?" and in \cf1\ul Col_3:23-24\cf0\ulnone "And whatsoever ye\b do\b0 ,\b do\b0 \i it \i0 heartily,\b as to the Lord\b0 , and not unto men;\i 24. \b\i0 Knowing\b0 that of the Lord ye shall receive the\b reward of the inheritance\b0 : for ye\b serve\b0 the Lord Christ." \par \b THE BLESSING: \cf1\ul\b0 Gen_27:29\cf0\ulnone "Let people\b serve thee\b0 , and nations\b bow down to thee\b0LVAL : be \b lord over thy brethren\b0 , and let\b \b0 thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed \i be \i0 every one that curseth thee, and\b blessed \i be \i0 he that blesseth thee\b0 ." This is the blessing given to Abraham in \cf1\ul Gen_12:3\cf0\ulnone "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." The blessing of the birthright was to rule over those in the family. Jacob was to rule over Esau and Esau was to serve Jacob. \cf1\ul Rom_9:12\cf0\ulnone "It was said unto her, The elder [greater] shall \b serve\b0 the younger [lesser]."\par \pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\kerning28\b THE BIRTHRIGHT AND SIN\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\cf1\kerning0\ul Gen_25:34\cf0\ulnone\b0 "Esau \b despised\b0 his\b birthright\b0 ."\b \b0 Esau's inheritance was in Edom which is outside the land of Canaan. Jacob's inheritance was in the land of Canaan. \cf1\ul Gen_36:8\cf0\ulnone "Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir...\i \b\i0 Edom." \cf1\ul\b0 Mal_1:3\cf0\ulnone "And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness." The consequence of the sin of Reuben is revealed in \cf1\ul 1Ch_5:1\cf0\ulnone "Now the sons of\b Reuben\b0 the \b firstborn\b0 of Israel, (for he \i was \i0 the firstborn; but, forasmuch as \b he defiled his father's bed\b0 , his \b birthright \b0 was given unto the sons of Joseph ..." \cf1\ul Num_32:23\cf0\ulnone\b \b0 You can "... \b be sure your sin \b0 will find you out."\par \pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\kerning28\b REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\cf1\kerning0\ul Eph_1:7\cf0\ulnone\b0 "In whom \b we have\b0 \b redemption \b0 through his\b blood\b0 , the \b forgiveness\b0 of sins, according to the \b riches of his grace\b0 ;" (\ul See \ulw Redemption\ulnone ) \par \pard\nowidctlpar\sb60\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\b "WE HAVE": \b0 This verb is a present active indicative oLVALf \f1\fs26 ecw\f0\fs24 . The present tense is a continuous process of "having." The word "We" is a reference to "The saints" and "The faithful" in verse 1 and to the "Chosen" in verse 4. The present tense can be stopped by those who are, in this case, having the redemption; the forgiveness of sins. If we do not appropriate the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ we will continue to be in bondage to sins and lose our inheritance.\par \b "REDEMPTION": \b0 The law of redemption as found in Leviticus 25 and the application of that law in the book of Ruth help us to see that redemption is a family matter and it pertained to one's inheritance and who we serve. \cf1\ul Lev_25:48-49\cf0\ulnone "After that he is sold he may be \b redeemed again; one of his brethren\b0 ... \i any \i0 that is \b nigh\b0 of kin unto him of his \b family\b0 may redeem him; or \b if he be able\b0 , he may redeem himself." This is not salvation.\par \b "FORGIVENESS":\b0 The word "Forgiveness" comes from the Greek word "\f1\fs26 afesiv\f0\fs24 " which is also translated "remission" in\b \cf1\ul\b0 Heb_9:22\cf0\ulnone . The word "\f1\fs26 afesiv\f0\fs24 " is found twice in \cf1\ul Luk_4:18\cf0\ulnone\b \b0 "The Spirit of the Lord \i is \i0 upon me, because he hath anointed me ... to preach \b deliverance\b0 to the captives, ... to set at\b liberty\b0 them that are bruised," and is translated "\b deliverance\b0 " and "\b liberty\b0 ." When we sell ourselves into bondage to the world, flesh, lawlessness, or the devil, the only way that we can be released is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Yes, there is cleansing from sin through the shed blood as described in \cf1\ul 1Jo_1:7\cf0\ulnone "But \b if\b0 we \b walk\b0 in the light, as he is in the light, we have \b fellowship\b0 one with another, and \b the blood\b0 of Jesus Christ his Son \b cleanseth\b0 us from all sin." along with confession in\b \cf1\ul\b0 1Jo_1:9\cf0\ulnone "\b If\b0 we\b confess\b0 our sins, he is faithful and just to \b forgive\b0 us LVAL\i our \i0 sins, and to\b cleanse\b0 us from all unrighteousness."; but we need deliverance from the power of these taskmasters of the world, flesh, lawlessness, and the devil so that we can be free to serve the Lord. We can be thankful that we can be made free from the power of sin. \cf1\ul Rev_1:5\cf0\ulnone "... Unto him that \b loved\b0 us, and \b washed\b0 us [\ul Other MSS:\b \b0 loves us, and\b \b0 loosed us\ulnone ]\b from\b0 our sins in his own blood," This is consistent with the meaning of the word "remission."\par \b "RICHES OF HIS GRACE": \b0 The grace of Jesus Christ is nothing other than His power. \cf1\ul 2Co_12:9\cf0\ulnone "And he said unto me, \b My grace\b0 is sufficient for thee: ... therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that\b the power of Christ\b0 may rest upon me." \cf1\ul Heb_12:28\cf0\ulnone "Wherefore we receiving a \b kingdom\b0 ... let us \b have grace\b0 , whereby \b we may serve\b0 God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:"\b \cf1\ul\b0 1Co_15:10\cf0\ulnone "But by the\b grace\b0 of God I am what I am: and\b his grace\b0 which \i was bestowed u\i0 pon me was \b not in vain\b0 ; but I\b laboured\b0 more abundantly than they all: yet\b not I\b0 , but the\b grace\b0 of God which was \b with me\b0 ."\par \pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\kerning28\b REDEEMED FROM TRADITION\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\cf1\kerning0\ul 1Pe_1:18-19\cf0\ulnone\b0 "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, \b from your vain conversation \b0 (your profitless affairs)\b received by tradition from your fathers\b0 ; 19. But with \b the precious blood of Christ\b0 .." Paul had this problem as shown in \cf1\ul Gal_1:13\cf0\ulnone "For ye have heard of my \b conversation \b0 in time past in the Jews' religion..." Paul had been taught things that \cf1\ul Mat_15:6\cf0\ulnone "... made the commandment of God of none effect by your (their) tradition." It takes the shed blood of Christ tLVALo deliver us from the bondage of a vain life style. \cf1\ul Phi_1:27\cf0\ulnone "Only let your \b conversation \b0 be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that ... I may hear of \b your affairs\b0 , that\b ye stand fast in\b0 one spirit, with\b one mind \b0 striving together for the faith of the gospel;" \cf1\ul Col_2:20-22\cf0\ulnone "Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ ... why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,... after the commandments and doctrines of men?"\par \pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\kerning28\b IT TAKES THE SHED BLOOD\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\cf1\kerning0\ul Heb_13:20-21\cf0\ulnone\b0 "Now the God of peace, ...\b through the blood\b0 ... 21.\b Make you perfect\b0 [\ul\f1\fs26 katartizw\f0\fs24 : to fit, to frame, to mend\ulnone ] in every \b good work\b0 to\b do his will\b0 , working in you that which is \b wellpleasing in his sight\b0 , \b through Jesus Christ\b0 ..." Without the shed blood of Jesus Christ, it would be impossible for God to equip us to do good works, His will, and be found well pleasing in his sight. \cf1\ul Phi_2:13\cf0\ulnone "For \b it is God which worketh in you\b0 both \b to will\b0 and \b to do\b0 of \b his good pleasure\b0 ."\par \pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\kerning28\b CONCLUSION\par \pard\kerning0\b0 Jesus Christ died on the cross so that we might be saved. After his death on the cross, He shed his blood that we might have fellowship with Him and be blessed with the inheritance of the firstborn. We need to obey \cf1\ul 1Jo_1:7\cf0\ulnone "But \b if we walk\b0 in the light, as he is in the light, we have \b fellowship\b0 one with another, and \b the blood\b0 of Jesus Christ his Son \b cleanseth\b0 us from all sin." We are encouraged in\b \cf1\ul\b0 2Ti_2:15\cf0\ulnone to \b "Study \b0 [be diligent] to\b show\b0 [present] thyself \b approved\b0 unto God, a workman that needeth\b not to be ashamed.\b0 " The shame of Esau, Reuben, and others is evident, they lost the blessingLVAL and double portion inheritance because they did not value the birthright nor the commandments of God.\cf2\f2\fs23\par } LVAL {\rtf1\ansi\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Arial;}{\f1\fnil\fprq2\fcharset0 Koine;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\stylesheet{ Normal;}{\s1 heading 1;}} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\qc\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\lang1033\b\f0\fs32 THE BLOOD\par \pard\nowidctlpar\sb60\qc\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\b0\fs20 By John W. White\fs24\par \pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\kerning28\b FIRST OCCURRENCE\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\kerning0\b0 In the book of Genesis there are no occurrences of shed blood with respect to animal sacrifice. The first occurrence of blood with respect to animal sacrifice is the passover in \cf1\ul Exo_12:6-7\cf0\ulnone "And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and\b the whole assembly\b0 of the congregation of Israel \b shall kill it\b0 in the evening. \i 7.\i0 And they shall take of the \b blood, \b0 and strike \i it \i0 on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it." \cf1\ul Exo_12:12-13\cf0\ulnone\b \b0 "For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the \b firstborn \b0 .. when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy \i you\i0 ." The blood was placed on the door for the firstborn only. The passover was the slaying and eating of a lamb or a goat by all of Israel and Gentiles that had been circumcised. The sprinkling of blood was only for the firstborn who had the right of the birthright.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\sb60\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760 The first occurrence of the blood with respect to the passover sacrifice in the New Testament is in\b \cf1\ul\b0 Mat_26:26-28\cf0\ulnone "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed \i it, \i0 and brake \i it, \i0 and gave \i it \i0 to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is\b my body\b0 .\i \i0 (for all) \i 27. \i0 And he LVAL!took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave \i it \i0 to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;\i 28. \i0 For this is my\b blood\b0 of the new testament, which is\b shed for many\b0 for the remission of sins."\b \cf1\ul\b0 Joh_19:30\cf0\ulnone "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said,\b It is finished\b0 : and he bowed his head, and\b gave up the ghost\b0 ." Jesus Christ was the passover "Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." \cf1\ul Joh_19:34\cf0\ulnone\b \b0 "But one of the soldiers with a spear\b pierced his side\b0 , and forthwith \b came there out blood and water\b0 ."\b \b0 The death of Jesus Christ and the shedding of his blood were separated from the time that He gave up the ghost and when the soldiers pierced his side. Jesus Christ did not bleed to death. If Jesus Christ had bled to death he would not have had the strength or be conscious enough to do what is recorded in\b \cf1\ul\b0 Luk_23:46\cf0\ulnone "And when Jesus had \b cried with a loud voice\b0 , he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he \b gave up the ghost."\b0 His blood was shed for many, for those who are the firstborn and entitled to the birthright. This is in agreement with the account of the killing of the passover lamb and the sprinkling of the blood in Exodus. \par \pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\kerning28\b PASSOVER AND SPRINKLING OF BLOOD\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\cf1\kerning0\ul Heb_11:28\cf0\ulnone\b0 "Through faith he kept the \b passover\b0 , \b and\b0 [\f1\fs26 kai\f0\fs24 , a conjunction] the \b sprinkling of blood\b0 , lest he that \b destroyed\b0 the \b firstborn\b0 should touch them." The conjunction, "\f1\fs26 kai\f0\fs24 " connects the passover with the sprinkling of blood, but it does not make them the same event. The passover lamb was for all in the house, but the blood was only for the firstborn. The sad thing is that all that were protected by the blood in Egypt were destroyed in the wilderness and LVAL"did not enter into the land flowing with milk and honey, except the children of the children of Israel with Joshua and Caleb.\par \pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\kerning28\b THE FIRSTBORN\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\kerning0\b0 The firstborn was very important as shown in\b \cf1\ul\b0 Gen_38:28\cf0\ulnone "And it came to pass, when she travailed, that \i the one \i0 put out \i his \i0 hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a \b scarlet thread\b0 , saying, \b This came out first\b0 ." The use of a scarlet thread was no accident. Being scarlet seems to speak of the blood and the birthright of the firstborn. The firstborn was spared by the blood of the lamb. Rahab and her family were spared by the scarlet thread, the symbol for the firstborn, in \cf1\ul Jos_2:18\cf0\ulnone\b \b0 "Behold, \i when \i0 we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of\b scarlet thread\b0 in the window which thou didst let us down by..." Ref \cf1\ul Lev_14:1-6\cf0\ulnone\par \pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\kerning28\b THE RIGHT OF THE FIRSTBORN\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\kerning0 INHERITANCE: \cf1\ul\b0 Deu_21:16-17\cf0\ulnone "Then it shall be, when \b he maketh his sons\b0 to\b inherit\b0 \i that \i0 which \b he hath\b0 , \i that \i0 he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, \i which is indeed \i0 the \b firstborn\b0 :\i 17. \i0 But \b he shall acknowledge the son\b0 of the hated \i for \i0 the\b firstborn\b0 , by giving him a\b double portion\b0 of \b all\b0 that\b he hath\b0 : for he \i is \i0 the beginning of his strength;\b the right of the firstborn \i is \i0 his\b0 ." The inheritance of the firstborn was to be double that of his brothers. Joseph received the birthright, therefore his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh were given inheritances in the land, which, in essence, was twice that of Joseph's other brothers, yet not in area. The conduct of Simeon and Levi at Schekem also carried consequencesLVAL#. The tribe of Levi had no inheritance in the land\b \cf1\ul\b0 Jos_13:14\cf0\ulnone "Only unto the tribe of Levi he gave\b none inheritance\b0 ; ..." The tribe of Simeon received a Gentile inheritance among the tribe of Judah. \cf1\ul Jos_19:1\cf0\ulnone "And the second lot came forth to \b Simeon, \b0\i even \i0 for the tribe of the children of \b Simeon \b0 according to their families: and\b their inheritance\b0 was \b within\b0 the \b inheritance of the children of Judah\b0 ." \par \pard\nowidctlpar\sb60\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760 It does make a difference how you live. If you despise the birthright you will lose reward and your inheritance. \cf1\ul 2Jo_1:8\cf0\ulnone "\b Look to yourselves\b0 , that we \b lose\b0 not those things which \b we have wrought\b0 , but that \b we receive a full reward\b0 ."\par \b THE BIRTHRIGHT: \cf1\ul\b0 Gen_25:30-31\cf0\ulnone "And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red \i pottage; \i0 for \b I \i am \i0 faint\b0 : therefore was his name called Edom.\i 31. \i0 And Jacob said,\b \b0 Sell me this day thy birthright." \cf1\ul Heb_12:16\cf0\ulnone\b \b0 "Lest there \i be \i0 any fornicator [as Reuben, 1 Chronicles 5:1], or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright." Esau lost his double portion inheritance and the blessing because he did not think the birthright was very important. \par Our inheritance is based on our service as shown in\b \cf1\ul\b0 Heb_9:14\cf0\ulnone "How much more shall the \b blood of Christ\b0 , ...purge your conscience from \b dead works\b0 \b to serve\b0 the living God?" and in \cf1\ul Col_3:23-24\cf0\ulnone "And whatsoever ye\b do\b0 ,\b do\b0 \i it \i0 heartily,\b as to the Lord\b0 , and not unto men;\i 24. \b\i0 Knowing\b0 that of the Lord ye shall receive the\b reward of the inheritance\b0 : for ye\b serve\b0 the Lord Christ." \par \b THE BLESSING: \cf1\ul\b0 Gen_27:29\cf0\ulnone "Let people\b serve thee\b0 , and nations\b bow down to thee\b0LVAL$ : be \b lord over thy brethren\b0 , and let\b \b0 thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed \i be \i0 every one that curseth thee, and\b blessed \i be \i0 he that blesseth thee\b0 ." This is the blessing given to Abraham in \cf1\ul Gen_12:3\cf0\ulnone "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." The blessing of the birthright was to rule over those in the family. Jacob was to rule over Esau and Esau was to serve Jacob. \cf1\ul Rom_9:12\cf0\ulnone "It was said unto her, The elder [greater] shall \b serve\b0 the younger [lesser]."\par \pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\kerning28\b THE BIRTHRIGHT AND SIN\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\cf1\kerning0\ul Gen_25:34\cf0\ulnone\b0 "Esau \b despised\b0 his\b birthright\b0 ."\b \b0 Esau's inheritance was in Edom which is outside the land of Canaan. Jacob's inheritance was in the land of Canaan. \cf1\ul Gen_36:8\cf0\ulnone "Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir...\i \b\i0 Edom." \cf1\ul\b0 Mal_1:3\cf0\ulnone "And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness." The consequence of the sin of Reuben is revealed in \cf1\ul 1Ch_5:1\cf0\ulnone "Now the sons of\b Reuben\b0 the \b firstborn\b0 of Israel, (for he \i was \i0 the firstborn; but, forasmuch as \b he defiled his father's bed\b0 , his \b birthright \b0 was given unto the sons of Joseph ..." \cf1\ul Num_32:23\cf0\ulnone\b \b0 You can "... \b be sure your sin \b0 will find you out."\par \pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\kerning28\b REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\cf1\kerning0\ul Eph_1:7\cf0\ulnone\b0 "In whom \b we have\b0 \b redemption \b0 through his\b blood\b0 , the \b forgiveness\b0 of sins, according to the \b riches of his grace\b0 ;" (\ul See \ulw Redemption\ulnone ) \par \pard\nowidctlpar\sb60\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\b "WE HAVE": \b0 This verb is a present active indicative oLVAL%f \f1\fs26 ecw\f0\fs24 . The present tense is a continuous process of "having." The word "We" is a reference to "The saints" and "The faithful" in verse 1 and to the "Chosen" in verse 4. The present tense can be stopped by those who are, in this case, having the redemption; the forgiveness of sins. If we do not appropriate the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ we will continue to be in bondage to sins and lose our inheritance.\par \b "REDEMPTION": \b0 The law of redemption as found in Leviticus 25 and the application of that law in the book of Ruth help us to see that redemption is a family matter and it pertained to one's inheritance and who we serve. \cf1\ul Lev_25:48-49\cf0\ulnone "After that he is sold he may be \b redeemed again; one of his brethren\b0 ... \i any \i0 that is \b nigh\b0 of kin unto him of his \b family\b0 may redeem him; or \b if he be able\b0 , he may redeem himself." This is not salvation.\par \b "FORGIVENESS":\b0 The word "Forgiveness" comes from the Greek word "\f1\fs26 afesiv\f0\fs24 " which is also translated "remission" in\b \cf1\ul\b0 Heb_9:22\cf0\ulnone . The word "\f1\fs26 afesiv\f0\fs24 " is found twice in \cf1\ul Luk_4:18\cf0\ulnone\b \b0 "The Spirit of the Lord \i is \i0 upon me, because he hath anointed me ... to preach \b deliverance\b0 to the captives, ... to set at\b liberty\b0 them that are bruised," and is translated "\b deliverance\b0 " and "\b liberty\b0 ." When we sell ourselves into bondage to the world, flesh, lawlessness, or the devil, the only way that we can be released is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Yes, there is cleansing from sin through the shed blood as described in \cf1\ul 1Jo_1:7\cf0\ulnone "But \b if\b0 we \b walk\b0 in the light, as he is in the light, we have \b fellowship\b0 one with another, and \b the blood\b0 of Jesus Christ his Son \b cleanseth\b0 us from all sin." along with confession in\b \cf1\ul\b0 1Jo_1:9\cf0\ulnone "\b If\b0 we\b confess\b0 our sins, he is faithful and just to \b forgive\b0 us LVAL&\i our \i0 sins, and to\b cleanse\b0 us from all unrighteousness."; but we need deliverance from the power of these taskmasters of the world, flesh, lawlessness, and the devil so that we can be free to serve the Lord. We can be thankful that we can be made free from the power of sin. \cf1\ul Rev_1:5\cf0\ulnone "... Unto him that \b loved\b0 us, and \b washed\b0 us [\ul Other MSS:\b \b0 loves us, and\b \b0 loosed us\ulnone ]\b from\b0 our sins in his own blood," This is consistent with the meaning of the word "remission."\par \b "RICHES OF HIS GRACE": \b0 The grace of Jesus Christ is nothing other than His power. \cf1\ul 2Co_12:9\cf0\ulnone "And he said unto me, \b My grace\b0 is sufficient for thee: ... therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that\b the power of Christ\b0 may rest upon me." \cf1\ul Heb_12:28\cf0\ulnone "Wherefore we receiving a \b kingdom\b0 ... let us \b have grace\b0 , whereby \b we may serve\b0 God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:"\b \cf1\ul\b0 1Co_15:10\cf0\ulnone "But by the\b grace\b0 of God I am what I am: and\b his grace\b0 which \i was bestowed u\i0 pon me was \b not in vain\b0 ; but I\b laboured\b0 more abundantly than they all: yet\b not I\b0 , but the\b grace\b0 of God which was \b with me\b0 ."\par \pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\kerning28\b REDEEMED FROM TRADITION\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\cf1\kerning0\ul 1Pe_1:18-19\cf0\ulnone\b0 "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, \b from your vain conversation \b0 (your profitless affairs)\b received by tradition from your fathers\b0 ; 19. But with \b the precious blood of Christ\b0 .." Paul had this problem as shown in \cf1\ul Gal_1:13\cf0\ulnone "For ye have heard of my \b conversation \b0 in time past in the Jews' religion..." Paul had been taught things that \cf1\ul Mat_15:6\cf0\ulnone "... made the commandment of God of none effect by your (their) tradition." It takes the shed blood of Christ tLVAL'o deliver us from the bondage of a vain life style. \cf1\ul Phi_1:27\cf0\ulnone "Only let your \b conversation \b0 be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that ... I may hear of \b your affairs\b0 , that\b ye stand fast in\b0 one spirit, with\b one mind \b0 striving together for the faith of the gospel;" \cf1\ul Col_2:20-22\cf0\ulnone "Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ ... why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,... after the commandments and doctrines of men?"\par \pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\kerning28\b IT TAKES THE SHED BLOOD\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\cf1\kerning0\ul Heb_13:20-21\cf0\ulnone\b0 "Now the God of peace, ...\b through the blood\b0 ... 21.\b Make you perfect\b0 [\ul\f1\fs26 katartizw\f0\fs24 : to fit, to frame, to mend\ulnone ] in every \b good work\b0 to\b do his will\b0 , working in you that which is \b wellpleasing in his sight\b0 , \b through Jesus Christ\b0 ..." Without the shed blood of Jesus Christ, it would be impossible for God to equip us to do good works, His will, and be found well pleasing in his sight. \cf1\ul Phi_2:13\cf0\ulnone "For \b it is God which worketh in you\b0 both \b to will\b0 and \b to do\b0 of \b his good pleasure\b0 ."\par \pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\kerning28\b CONCLUSION\par \pard\kerning0\b0 Jesus Christ died on the cross so that we might be saved. After his death on the cross, He shed his blood that we might have fellowship with Him and be blessed with the inheritance of the firstborn. We need to obey \cf1\ul 1Jo_1:7\cf0\ulnone "But \b if we walk\b0 in the light, as he is in the light, we have \b fellowship\b0 one with another, and \b the blood\b0 of Jesus Christ his Son \b cleanseth\b0 us from all sin." We are encouraged in\b \cf1\ul\b0 2Ti_2:15\cf0\ulnone to \b "Study \b0 [be diligent] to\b show\b0 [present] thyself \b approved\b0 unto God, a workman that needeth\b not to be ashamed.\b0 " The shame of Esau, Reuben, and others is evident, they lost the blessingLVAL and double portion inheritance because they did not value the birthright nor the commandments of God.\cf2\f2\fs23\par }