Exodus 13:1

Introduction

God establishes the law concerning the first-born, and commands that all such, both of man and beast, should be sanctified unto him, Exo 13:1, Exo 13:2. Orders them to remember the day in which they were brought out of Egypt, when they should be brought to the land of Canaan; and to keep this service in the month Abib, Exo 13:3-5. Repeats the command concerning the leavened bread, Exo 13:6, Exo 13:7, and orders them to teach their children the cause of it, Exo 13:8, and to keep strictly in remembrance that it was by the might of God alone they had been delivered from Egypt, Exo 13:9. Shows that the consecration of the first-born, both of man and beast, should take place when they should be settled in Canaan, Exo 13:10-12. The first-born of man and beast to be redeemed, Exo 13:13. The reason of this also to be shown to their children, Exo 13:14, Exo 13:15. Frontlets or phylacteries for the hands and forehead commanded, Exo 13:16. And the people are not led directly to the promised land, but about through the wilderness; and the reason assigned, Exo 13:17, Exo 13:18. Moses takes the bones of Joseph with him, Exo 13:19. They journey from Succoth and come to Etham, Exo 13:20. And the Lord goes before them by day in a pillar of cloud, and by night in a pillar of fire, Exo 13:21, which miracle is regularly continued both by day and night, Exo 13:22. Verse 1 The Lord spake unto Moses - The commands in this chapter appear to have been given at Succoth, on the same day in which they left Egypt.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

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.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain