Exodus Chapter 13
1 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
2 "Sanctify to me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb amongst the children of Israel, both of man and of animal. It is mine."
3 Moses said to the people, "Remember this day, in which you came out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten.
4 Today you go out in the month Abib.
5 It shall be, when the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite, which he swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall keep this service in this month.
6 Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the LORD.
7 Unleavened bread shall be eaten throughout the seven days; and no leavened bread shall be seen with you. No yeast shall be seen with you, within all your borders.
8 You shall tell your son in that day, saying, 'It is because of that which the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.'
9 It shall be for a sign to you on your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that the LORD's law may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand the LORD has brought you out of Egypt.
10 You shall therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year.
11 "It shall be, when the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanite, as he swore to you and to your fathers, and will give it you,
12 that you shall set apart to the LORD all that opens the womb, and every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have. The males shall be the LORD's.
13 Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck; and you shall redeem all the firstborn of man amongst your sons.
14 It shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, 'What is this?' that you shall tell him, 'By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage.
15 When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of livestock. Therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that opens the womb, being males; but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.'
16 It shall be for a sign on your hand, and for symbols between your eyes; for by strength of hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt."
17 When Pharaoh had let the people go, God didn't lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, "Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and they return to Egypt";
18 but God led the people around by the way of the wilderness by the Red Sea; and the children of Israel went up armed out of the land of Egypt.
19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the children of Israel swear, saying, "God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones away from here with you."
20 They took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.
21 The LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them on their way, and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light, that they might go by day and by night:
22 the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, didn't depart from before the people.
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Exodus Chapter 13 Guide
As the Passover feast signified the deliverance from death by obedience, and the sprinkling of blood signified redemption through death, the feast of Unleavened Bread was established in connection with it. This was to be a perpetual memorial of the necessity to abstain from anything and everything which cause disintegration in the national life. The chosen people were to be delivered from slavery into submission to the law of their one and only King.
It is significant that in connection with these feasts we have a distinct statement of the true purpose for establishing them, namely, instruction of the children. This throws light on the true value of symbolism. It is ever intended to arouse interest in the minds of the young in order that, true to their instincts, they may ask for information, which is to be supplied by their elders.
The nation delivered and consecrated is seen at once as under the direct government and guidance of God. "God led them not by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near." "But God led the people about." The essential truths revealed here are that He leads and that there is a meaning and purpose in all such guidance. The longer journey was the outcome of His patient desire that they should not be discouraged at the beginning by warfare. It is very arresting that in connection with these movements the story is linked again with that in Genesis. Joseph had died in the faith that such an hour as this would come. He signalized his faith by commandment concerning his bones. The people then moving out from Egypt under divine direction carried those bones with them. As yet they were very far from the possibility of simple faith and needed signs. Hence God gave them the vision of the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Exodus Chapter 13 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- The first-born sanctified to God, The remembrance of the passover commanded. -- (1-10)
- The firstlings of beasts set apart. -- (11-16)
- Joseph's bones carried with the Israelites, They come to Etham. -- (17-20)
- God guideth the Israelites by a pillar of cloud fire. -- (21, 22)
Verses 1-10
In remembrance of the destruction of the first-born of Egypt, both of man and of beast, and the deliverance of the Israelites out of bondage, the first-born males of the Israelites were set apart to the Lord. By this was set before them, that their lives were preserved through the ransom of the atonement, which in due time was to be made for sin. They were also to consider their lives, thus ransomed from death, as now to be consecrated to the service of God. The parents were not to look upon themselves as having any right in their first-born, till they solemnly presented them to God, and allowed his title to them. That which is, by special mercy, spared to us, should be applied to God's honour; at least, some grateful acknowledgment, in works of piety and charity, should be made. The remembrance of their coming out of Egypt must be kept up every year. The day of Christ's resurrection is to be remembered, for in it we were raised up with Christ out of death's house of bondage. The Scripture tells us not expressly what day of the year Christ rose, but it states particularly what day of the week it was; as the more valuable deliverance, it should be remembered weekly. The Israelites must keep the feast of unleavened bread. Under the gospel, we must not only remember Christ, but observe his holy supper. Do this in remembrance of him. Also care must be taken to teach children the knowledge of God. Here is an old law for catechising. It is of great use to acquaint children betimes with the histories of the Bible. And those who have God's law in their heart should have it in their mouth, and often speak of it, to affect themselves, and to teach others.
Verses 11-16
The firstlings of beast not used in sacrifice, were to be changed for others so used, or they were to be destroyed. Our souls are forfeited to God's justice, and unless ransomed by the sacrifice of Christ, will certainly perish. These institutions would continually remind them of their duty, to love and serve the Lord. In like manner, baptism and the Lord's supper, if explained and attended to, would remind us, and give us occasion to remind one another of our profession and duty.
Verses 17-20
There were two ways from Egypt to Canaan. One was only a few days' journey; the other was much further about, through the wilderness, and that was the way in which God chose to lead his people Israel. The Egyptians were to be drowned in the Red sea; the Israelites were to be humbled and proved in the wilderness. God's way is the right way, though it seems about. If we think he leads not his people the nearest way, yet we may be sure he leads them the best way, and so it will appear when we come to our journey's end. The Philistines were powerful enemies; it was needful that the Israelites should be prepared for the wars of Canaan, by passing through the difficulties of the wilderness. Thus God proportions his people's trials to their strength, 1Co 10:13. They went up in good order. They went up in five in a rank, some; in five bands, so others, which it seems rather to their faith and hope, that God would bring them to Canaan, in expectation of which they carried these bones with them while in the desert.
Verses 21, 22
The Lord went before them in a pillar, or appearance of the Divine Majesty. Christ was with the church in the wilderness, 1Co 10:9. Those whom God brings into a wilderness, he will not leave nor lose there, but will take care to lead them through it. It was great satisfaction to Moses and the pious Israelites, to be sure that they were under Divine guidance. Those who make the glory of God their end, and the word of God their rule, the Spirit of God the guide of their affections, and the providence of God the guide of their affairs, may be sure that the Lord goes before them, though they cannot see it with their eyes: we must now live by faith. When Israel marched, this pillar went before, and pointed out the place of encampment, as Divine Wisdom saw fit. It sheltered by day from the heat, and gave light by night. The Bible is a light to our feet, a lantern to our paths, with which the Saviour's love has provided us. It testifies of Christ. It is to us like the pillar to the Israelites. Listen to that voice which cries, I am the Light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of life, Joh 8:12. Jesus Christ alone, as shown in the Bible, and as the Holy Spirit, in answer to prayer, recommends him to the soul, is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, Joh 14:6.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.