WE WERE noticing that in these vows or acts of devotedness unto the Lord, there were different things one might set apart unto Him — it might be one’s own person, it might be a beast, or a house, or a field. And in the first case where the different age brackets and the valuation of each are stated, there is encouragement for all to serve the Lord, even a little child. How good to know that Christ Himself is for us “the priest” who evaluates our devotedness. Some of us feel of what little worth we are, and yet every act done for Him, every movement of our hearts for Him is precious in His sight.
As we read through the Scriptures how much encouragement we find in them, to set ourselves apart unto Him, to live for and serve Him this little while we are here on earth. The most devoted of His servants tells us in Romans 12:11I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1): “I beseech you, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” When we think of the Lord Jesus and of all He has done for us surely His love demands no less.
Then in another sense these various ages and their estimations tell of increasing or decreasing spiritual values. Spiritual growth is normal for a Christian, even as natural growth is. Peter tells us in his closing word to “grow in grace, and
in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Pet. 3:1818But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18). One might be weak and immature spiritually, or on the other hand he might be in decline. However, on God’s side there is no reason why a saint of God should decline spiritually. Caleb could say at 85, “I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me; as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out and to come in.” Josh. 14:1010And now, behold, the Lord hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the Lord spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. (Joshua 14:10). It says of Moses at 120 years that his eye was not dim, nor was his natural force abated (Deut. 34:77And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. (Deuteronomy 34:7)). And how many of God’s dear saints have had “an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” both in their life and at the close of their course.
How often there is a great difference between our natural age and our spiritual growth. One may have been a Christian for years and yet not have grown spiritually, as seen in the estimation of one “from a month old even unto five years old.” v. 6. Yet there is a value nevertheless; it is all of grace with any one of us even as the Apostle could say, “By His grace I am what I am.” (1 Cor. 15:1010But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. (1 Corinthians 15:10)).
ML-01/21/1973