The phrase "Exodus 4:22" and the association with "Jesus the firstborn" requires a bit of explanation and clarification because, on the surface, it seems like a contradiction. Let's break it down:
* Exodus 4:22: This verse states, "Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Israel is My son, My firstborn."'" This verse is God speaking to Moses, instructing him to tell Pharaoh that Israel, as a nation, is God's "firstborn son."
* Jesus as the Firstborn: The New Testament uses the term "firstborn" (Greek: *prototokos*) in relation to Jesus in several ways:
* Firstborn of all Creation (Colossians 1:15): "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation." Here, "firstborn" signifies Jesus' preeminence, priority, and authority over all creation. It doesn't mean he was created, but rather that he is the heir and sovereign over all things.
* Firstborn from the Dead (Colossians 1:18, Revelation 1:5): This refers to Jesus' resurrection, marking him as the first to conquer death and inaugurate the new creation.
* Firstborn among many brothers (Romans 8:29): This indicates that Jesus is the leader and example for all believers, who are adopted as God's children.
Reconciling the Two - The Significance and Relationship
The connection between Exodus 4:22 (Israel as God's firstborn) and the New Testament's depiction of Jesus as the firstborn is a matter of typology and fulfillment:
1. Typology: The Old Testament often contains types or foreshadows of what is fully revealed in the New Testament. Israel, as God's chosen people and firstborn son in Exodus 4:22, prefigures Jesus, who is God's ultimate and perfect Son.
2. Fulfillment: The concept of "sonship" in the Old Testament, applied to Israel, is imperfect and incomplete. Israel, as a nation, often failed to live up to God's expectations. Jesus, the perfect Son of God, fulfills the ideal of sonship in a way that Israel could not.
3. Inheritance and Blessings: In ancient cultures, the firstborn son had special privileges and responsibilities, including inheriting the family's legacy and carrying on the family name. Israel was chosen to be a blessing to all nations (Genesis 12:3), but ultimately, Jesus, as the ultimate "firstborn," is the one through whom all nations are truly blessed.
4. Representation: Jesus represents the true Israel. He perfectly embodies the character and obedience that God desired from the nation of Israel. He is the faithful Israelite.
In summary:
* Exodus 4:22 refers to Israel as God's firstborn son, a national designation.
* The New Testament uses "firstborn" in relation to Jesus to signify his preeminence, authority, resurrection, and role as the leader of believers.
* The connection is one of typology and fulfillment: Israel foreshadows Jesus, who perfectly fulfills the ideal of sonship and brings God's blessings to the world.
* Jesus is the ultimate "firstborn" who perfectly embodies the characteristics and purposes that were only partially realized in the nation of Israel. He's the faithful representative of what Israel was intended to be.