Exodus 13
Exodus 13 continues the account of the Israelites' departure from Egypt. After the final plague, the firstborn of Egypt were struck down, and God instructs Moses to consecrate all the firstborn of Israel to Him. This chapter also emphasizes the importance of remembering the deliverance from Egypt by observing the Feast of Unleavened Bread. God’s guidance through the wilderness is highlighted as He leads His people with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
Exodus 13:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
2 "Consecrate to Me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast; it is Mine."
God instructs Moses to dedicate the firstborn of Israel to Him. This was a reminder of how God spared Israel’s firstborn during the final plague in Egypt. The act of consecrating the firstborn was not only a command but also a way of showing gratitude and remembering God's deliverance. The firstborn, representing the strength and future of a family, were set apart as holy to the Lord, marking their special relationship with Him.
Exodus 13:3-5 (NKJV)
3 And Moses said to the people: "Remember this day in which you went out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out of this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten.
4 On this day you are going out, in the month Abib.
5 And it shall be, when the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, 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."
Moses instructs the Israelites to remember their deliverance from Egypt and introduces the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This feast was a symbolic way to commemorate their hasty departure, leaving no time for the bread to rise. The month of Abib marks the beginning of their journey. God’s promise to bring them into a fruitful land is tied to the remembrance of this day. The repetition of God's strength highlights that their freedom came solely from His power.
Exodus 13:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the Lord.
7 Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days. And no leavened bread shall be seen among you, nor shall leaven be seen among you in all your quarters.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread is further explained. For seven days, the Israelites were to eat unleavened bread, symbolizing purity and separation from sin. The absence of leaven (a symbol of corruption) in their homes and communities served as a physical reminder of their consecration to God and their deliverance from slavery. The feast ended with a special celebration, focusing on gratitude toward the Lord.
Exodus 13:8-10 (NKJV)
8 And you shall tell your son in that day, saying, 'This is done because of what the Lord did for me when I came up from Egypt.'
9 It shall be as a sign to you on your hand and as 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.
The feast was not only a tradition but also an educational tool for future generations. Parents were instructed to explain the meaning of the observance to their children, ensuring that the story of God’s deliverance would be passed down. The reference to a "sign on your hand" and a "memorial between your eyes" emphasizes how deeply this remembrance should be embedded in their lives. God's deliverance was to shape their identity and guide their actions.
Exodus 13:11-13 (NKJV)
11 And it shall be, when the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as He swore to you and your fathers, and gives it to you,
12 that you shall set apart to the Lord all that open the womb, that is, every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have; the males shall be the Lord’s.
13 But 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 all the firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem.
The command to consecrate the firstborn continues with instructions on how to redeem certain animals. Since donkeys were considered unclean, they had to be redeemed by offering a lamb in their place. If not redeemed, the donkey’s neck had to be broken, symbolizing that what was not dedicated to God must be destroyed. The redemption of human firstborns with a substitute offering signifies the value of human life and foreshadows the ultimate redemption through Christ.
Exodus 13:14-16 (NKJV)
14 So it shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, 'What is this?' that you shall say to him, 'By strength of hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
15 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that the Lord killed 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 males that open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.'
16 It shall be as a sign on your hand and as frontlets between your eyes, for by strength of hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt."
The explanation to future generations is reiterated, focusing on how God’s powerful hand brought about their deliverance. The emphasis is on the miraculous nature of their escape and how God dealt with Pharaoh’s stubbornness by striking down the firstborn of Egypt. The practice of sacrificing the firstborn animals and redeeming the firstborn sons became a living memorial of this act of deliverance. The physical rituals served as a "sign" and "frontlet" to constantly remind Israel of God's saving work.
Exodus 13:17-18 (NKJV)
17 Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by 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 return to Egypt."
18 So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt.
God’s guidance of Israel’s route was strategic. He didn’t lead them through the shorter way that passed through the Philistine territory because He knew they were not ready for war. They could easily lose faith and want to return to Egypt. Instead, God led them through the wilderness, where they could learn to trust in Him before facing battles. The phrase "in orderly ranks" indicates their organized departure, reflecting God's care in leading them.
Exodus 13:19 (NKJV)
19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had placed the children of Israel under solemn oath, saying, "God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here with you."
Moses honors Joseph’s dying wish by bringing his bones with them, fulfilling the oath Joseph made his brothers take in Genesis 50:25. Joseph’s faith in God’s promise to give Israel the land of Canaan is evident here. Even in death, Joseph trusted that God would bring Israel out of Egypt, and his bones being carried out serve as a symbol of continuity between God’s promises and their fulfillment.
Exodus 13:20-22 (NKJV)
20 So they took their journey from Succoth and camped in Etham at the edge of the wilderness.
21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night.
22 He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people.
God’s presence with Israel was manifested through the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. These physical signs of God’s guidance and protection assured the Israelites that He was with them every step of the way. The pillars also provided practical help—guiding them by day and giving light at night—ensuring they could travel when needed. This visible manifestation of God’s presence reassured the people of His constant care and leadership.