October 13, 2020
The book of Exodus tells the story of the birth of the nation of Israel fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham. From the seventy descendants of Jacob, Israel was fruitful and multiplied greatly until they filled the whole land of Egypt. After four centuries of slavery, God answers the cries of His people for deliverance. God raises up Moses for this calling, to lead his people out of bondage to a land of promise and deliverance.
Some of the greatest stories of the Bible are featured in Exodus—from the Ten Plagues, and the Passover, to the crossing of the Red Sea, and the establishment of the covenant at Mount Sinai. The Passover lamb, the exodus from the land of Egypt, the seven feasts, the tabernacle, and even the high priest, are all foreshadows of the ministry of Christ.
Chapters 1-18 contains the events leading up to God’s delivering the Hebrews from their captivity in Egypt, and chapters 19-40 shares the events in the wilderness and the account of God’s instructions to Moses on Mount Sinai to direct the life and worship of the nation.
Exodus 13
Consecration of the Firstborn
1 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Consecrate to me all the firstborn. Whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast, is mine.”
The Feast of Unleavened Bread
3 Then Moses said to the people, “Remember this day in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of slavery, for by a strong hand the Lord brought you out from this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten. 4 Today, in the month of Abib, you are going out. 5 And when the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, you shall keep this service in this month. 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 for seven days; no leavened bread shall be seen with you, and no leaven shall be seen with you in all your territory. 8 You shall tell your son on that day, ‘It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9 And it shall be to you as a sign on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the law of the Lord may be in your mouth. For with a strong hand the Lord has brought you out of Egypt. 10 You shall therefore keep this statute at its appointed time from year to year.
11 “When the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as he swore to you and your fathers, and shall give it to you, 12 you shall set apart to the Lord all that first opens the womb. All the firstborn of your animals that are males shall be the Lord’s. 13 Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck. Every firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem. 14 And when in time to come your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you shall say to him, ‘By a strong hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery. 15 For 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 animals. Therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all the males that first open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’ 16 It shall be as a mark on your hand or frontlets between your eyes, for by a strong hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt.”
Pillars of Cloud and Fire
17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” 18 But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle. 19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones with you from here.” 20 And they moved on from Succoth and encamped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. 21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. 22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Reflection:
- What is the significance of the dedication of the firstborn to God and celebrating the Feast of Unleavened Bread?
- Are there specific events or occasions in your life where God worked in special ways that cause you to remember and give thanks?
- God says that it was by his “strong hand” that he brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt (v. 3). This speaks to the personal attention and involvement of God in their redemption. It is also a calling for Israel to remain faithful to God in consecrating the first born to him and observing the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Prayer: Lord, just as you were faithful to your people in a foreign land, you have been faithful to me. I praise you for your faithfulness and goodness towards me and those that I love. I will praise you and remember your mighty deeds and will not fear man or the evil one. For greater is he who is in me than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I ,too, praise you for Your faithfulness and steadfast love. You have taken care of me in so many ways. I will continue to lean on You for guidance in all I do. Please be with me today and all of my loved ones. Guide and direct our paths so that we will be pleasing to you. In Jesus’ precious amd holy name. Amen.
Gracias mi padre amado por tu amor incomparable gracias por tus maravillas tú liberaste al pueblo de Israel de Egipto con tu gran poder libéranos padre de la atadura del diablo somos hijos tuyo y tu poder es incomparable yo confío en ti mi Dios porque tú no abandonas a tus hijos y los guía como guiaste a tu pueblo aún sigues haciendo tus maravillas porque nos has siempre amado aún siendo nosotros pescadores gracias mi Dios por tu favor y tu gracia sobre cada uno de nosotros bendice a tu pueblo padre en nombre de tu precioso hijo amado Jesús amén y amén ?
AMEN AND HALLELUJAH!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYER.
This is an encouraging passage.. Especially, as I start a new assignment at Klienk elementary as counselor, God is there waiting for me; He is on the road as I head out to this new opportunity AND HE will never leave me.
Praise God from all blessings flow, Praise him all creatures here below, praise him above the heavenly host, praise father son and Holy Ghost amen
The Lord delivered me and guides me.
The lesson is clear. Obedience brings blessings and freedom. Disobedience brings disaster and bondage. Moses obeyed, Pharaoh disobeyed.
Praise you dear Lord for your faithfulness and loving kindness to your people. I ask for your continued strong protection from this virus that is in our land. I call upon your strength to remove this virus from our community and people. I pray that you heal those among us that are struggling and fighting the virus.
Lord in addition today we celebrate our countries blessings as an democracy. I ask that you bless our election process and leaders. May you be glorified as we turn our eyes to you for your guidance and blessings on our nation.
For you are the King of King, Lord of Lords. How majestic is your name!
The New Testament verse expressing this principle is found in Paul’s letter to the church at Galatia. Gal. 6:7 Says “Don’t be deceived, God is not mocked, whatever a man sows that is what he will reap.”
Obedience brings blessings, disobedience brings conflict. That Biblical principle will always be true.
Bless This Day! Praying for Our Country ?!
The cloud that led Israel through the wilderness to guide and protect them was God’s Shekinah glory. The shekinah glory also filled their tabernacle giving them the sense of His presence. Now we have the indwelling Holy Spirit within us.
Thank you father for being just, for redeeming us through Jesus and destroying evil. Praise God for his faithfulness to guide us, as he did Israel by pillar of cloud and fire. What better way to reveal himself, supernaturally, than through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection from the dead!
Thank you God I have your Holy Spirit which guides and protects me all the time. Please be praying for my husband Walt whom has been in the hospital for three weeks under going antibiotic treatment for a tear under his ostomy in his intestines. Now the decision will be made whether they have to go in and do another one. I have been following your church for three years from Houma, La. and appreciate your prayers. Thanks so much Vickie