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Exodus 13:1–2
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘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.’ ”
Today we return to our exposition of the book of Exodus and pick up our study in chapter 13. Israel has been spared the wrath of God against the firstborn in Egypt through the atoning sacrifice of the Passover lamb, and the exodus has begun (chs. 11–12). Chapter 13 begins the history of the Israelites once they leave Egypt, but before getting into those events, Moses records some additional laws related to the Passover and the death of the firstborn.
Verses 1–2 explain that from that point on, the Israelites were to “consecrate” to the Lord all the firstborn in Israel, including firstborn people and beasts. In verses 12–15 we learn that God is asking for firstborn male sons and firstborn male animals. These are to be dedicated to Him, and the sense is that they are to be set apart unto the Lord as holy. This will remind the Israelites of the Passover events (v. 15) but has broader significance as well. As the sovereign King, the Lord had a right to the firstfruits of Israel, as seen, for example, in the fact that there was an entire Feast of Firstfruits (Pentecost) for the people to keep. The firstborn of the people and the animals were firstfruits, as it were, so they belonged to the Lord God. That the Lord demanded the firstborn males was significant because of the connection to the Passover but also because the firstborn males of the animals would be the most valuable, economically speaking, in the flocks of Israel, and giving them up would be an indicator of faith that God would continue to bless His people with more livestock. The command for the Lord to receive firstborn male Israelites is connected to the significance of the firstborn son in the ancient Israelite household. He played a primary role in receiving and passing on religious instruction (see, e.g., Prov. 1:8).
Exodus 13:15 indicates that these are to be given wholly to the Lord as sacrifices. The provisions for redemption are given to keep certain animals and all the male Israelites from being killed as offerings to God. Instead of killing these, the people can sacrifice lambs in their place. This sacrificial imagery is significant. True, the Lord does not demand human sacrifice in the sense of killing human beings as offerings—indeed, He forbids it (see Lev. 18:21). Nevertheless, the provision for consecrating the firstborn and redeeming them with the sacrifice of another points to God’s demanding that we give ourselves to Him as living sacrifices, wholly dedicated to serving Him where He has placed us (see Rom. 12:1–2).
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
As Paul says in Romans 12:1–2, we are to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to the Lord. We are to be wholly committed to Him and to His ways. This does not mean that we have to dedicate ourselves to full-time vocational ministry, though some have that calling. It means that we are to serve God wherever He has placed us, doing our best work and seeking to be salt and light in the world (see Matt. 5:13–16).
For Further Study
- Genesis 4:1–5
- Leviticus 27:26
- Luke 2:1–7
- Colossians 1:15