And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.
And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.
This day came ye out in the month Abib.
And it shall be when the Lord shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month.
Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the Lord.
Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters.
And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the Lord did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt.
And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the Lord’s law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the Lord brought thee out of Egypt.
Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year.
And it shall be when the Lord shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, as he sware unto thee and to thy fathers, and shall give it thee,
That thou shalt set apart unto the Lord all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the Lord’s.
And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.
And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the Lord brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the Lord slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem.
And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the Lord brought us forth out of Egypt.
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:
But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.
And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.
And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.
And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.
Exodus 13 presents a powerful blend of remembrance, dedication, and divine guidance. It highlights God's redemption of Israel from slavery and establishes practices to perpetually remind them—and us—of His faithfulness. This chapter emphasizes the importance of teaching future generations about God's mighty acts and trusting in His direction, even when the path ahead seems uncertain.
Consecration of the Firstborn (Exodus 13:1-16)
Following the devastating tenth plague, God declared that all firstborn males, both of humans and animals, were to be consecrated to Him (Exodus 13:2). This was a direct consequence of God sparing the firstborn of Israel while executing judgment on Egypt. Tony Evans notes that this consecration was a dedication, a setting apart for God's special purposes.
Moses commanded the people to remember the day of their deliverance from Egypt (Exodus 13:3). This remembrance was not merely a passive recollection but an active celebration to be observed annually, even after they entered the Promised Land (Exodus 13:5, 9). This annual observance served as a powerful reminder of God's redemptive act.
The instructions regarding the firstborn extended to the land of Canaan. Every firstborn male, both human and animal, was to be presented to the Lord (Exodus 13:11-12). A system of redemption was established: firstborn sons were to be redeemed with a sacrifice from their flocks. Even firstborn donkeys were to be redeemed with a sacrifice; if not, they were to be killed (Exodus 13:13). These seemingly unusual commands were designed to constantly point back to God's saving power.
These actions provided opportunities for the Israelites to teach their children about God and His mighty deeds (Exodus 13:14). The redemption of the firstborn served as a tangible reminder that God had spared Israel's firstborn while striking down Egypt's (Exodus 13:15). This principle resonates with Christians today. As Tony Evans aptly points out, practices like baptism and the Lord's Supper offer visual aids to help Christian parents instruct their children about the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Seizing these moments for teaching is crucial in raising children "in the training and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).
God's Guidance Through the Wilderness (Exodus 13:17-22)
As the Israelites departed Egypt, God, in His wisdom, did not lead them along the most direct route, which would have taken them through the land of the Philistines (Exodus 13:17). God understood that the newly freed Israelites were not ready for immediate warfare. The prospect of facing battle so soon after enduring slavery might have disheartened them and driven them back to Egypt.
Instead, God led them toward the Red Sea, along the road of the wilderness, into the Sinai Peninsula (Exodus 13:18). Though the Israelites were organized for battle, God knew their hearts were not yet prepared for the challenges ahead. This demonstrates God's tender care and His understanding of our limitations. He doesn't always lead us down the easiest path, but He always leads us in the path that will best prepare us for His purposes.
God manifested His presence and guidance through a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21). This visible manifestation of God's presence provided constant reassurance and direction. God’s presence was not intermittent but constant, a 24/7 reminder of His unwavering commitment to His people.
In accordance with Joseph's wishes (Genesis 50:24-25), Moses took Joseph's bones with him, intending to bury them in the Promised Land (Exodus 13:19). This act demonstrates faith in God's promises and a commitment to fulfilling the dreams of previous generations. It's a powerful reminder that we are part of a larger story, a lineage of faith stretching back through generations.
Exodus 13 serves as a powerful testament to God's redemptive power, His wisdom in leading us, and the importance of remembering His faithfulness. It calls us to dedicate ourselves to Him, teach our children about His mighty acts, and trust in His guidance, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. Just as God led the Israelites through the wilderness, He continues to lead us today, providing for our needs and preparing us for the future He has planned.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.
And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.
This day came ye out in the month Abib.
And it shall be when the Lord shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month.
Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the Lord.
Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters.
And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the Lord did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt.
And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the Lord’s law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the Lord brought thee out of Egypt.
Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year.
And it shall be when the Lord shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, as he sware unto thee and to thy fathers, and shall give it thee,
That thou shalt set apart unto the Lord all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the Lord’s.
And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.
And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the Lord brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the Lord slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem.
And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the Lord brought us forth out of Egypt.
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:
But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.
And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.
And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.
And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.
Exodus 13 presents a powerful blend of remembrance, dedication, and divine guidance. It highlights God's redemption of Israel from slavery and establishes practices to perpetually remind them—and us—of His faithfulness. This chapter emphasizes the importance of teaching future generations about God's mighty acts and trusting in His direction, even when the path ahead seems uncertain.
Consecration of the Firstborn (Exodus 13:1-16)
Following the devastating tenth plague, God declared that all firstborn males, both of humans and animals, were to be consecrated to Him (Exodus 13:2). This was a direct consequence of God sparing the firstborn of Israel while executing judgment on Egypt. Tony Evans notes that this consecration was a dedication, a setting apart for God's special purposes.
Moses commanded the people to remember the day of their deliverance from Egypt (Exodus 13:3). This remembrance was not merely a passive recollection but an active celebration to be observed annually, even after they entered the Promised Land (Exodus 13:5, 9). This annual observance served as a powerful reminder of God's redemptive act.
The instructions regarding the firstborn extended to the land of Canaan. Every firstborn male, both human and animal, was to be presented to the Lord (Exodus 13:11-12). A system of redemption was established: firstborn sons were to be redeemed with a sacrifice from their flocks. Even firstborn donkeys were to be redeemed with a sacrifice; if not, they were to be killed (Exodus 13:13). These seemingly unusual commands were designed to constantly point back to God's saving power.
These actions provided opportunities for the Israelites to teach their children about God and His mighty deeds (Exodus 13:14). The redemption of the firstborn served as a tangible reminder that God had spared Israel's firstborn while striking down Egypt's (Exodus 13:15). This principle resonates with Christians today. As Tony Evans aptly points out, practices like baptism and the Lord's Supper offer visual aids to help Christian parents instruct their children about the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Seizing these moments for teaching is crucial in raising children "in the training and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).
God's Guidance Through the Wilderness (Exodus 13:17-22)
As the Israelites departed Egypt, God, in His wisdom, did not lead them along the most direct route, which would have taken them through the land of the Philistines (Exodus 13:17). God understood that the newly freed Israelites were not ready for immediate warfare. The prospect of facing battle so soon after enduring slavery might have disheartened them and driven them back to Egypt.
Instead, God led them toward the Red Sea, along the road of the wilderness, into the Sinai Peninsula (Exodus 13:18). Though the Israelites were organized for battle, God knew their hearts were not yet prepared for the challenges ahead. This demonstrates God's tender care and His understanding of our limitations. He doesn't always lead us down the easiest path, but He always leads us in the path that will best prepare us for His purposes.
God manifested His presence and guidance through a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21). This visible manifestation of God's presence provided constant reassurance and direction. God’s presence was not intermittent but constant, a 24/7 reminder of His unwavering commitment to His people.
In accordance with Joseph's wishes (Genesis 50:24-25), Moses took Joseph's bones with him, intending to bury them in the Promised Land (Exodus 13:19). This act demonstrates faith in God's promises and a commitment to fulfilling the dreams of previous generations. It's a powerful reminder that we are part of a larger story, a lineage of faith stretching back through generations.
Exodus 13 serves as a powerful testament to God's redemptive power, His wisdom in leading us, and the importance of remembering His faithfulness. It calls us to dedicate ourselves to Him, teach our children about His mighty acts, and trust in His guidance, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. Just as God led the Israelites through the wilderness, He continues to lead us today, providing for our needs and preparing us for the future He has planned.