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Commentary on Exodus 13 verses 1–10
Care is here taken to perpetuate the remembrance,
I. Of the preservation of Israel's firstborn, when the firstborn of the Egyptians were slain. In memory of that distinguishing favour, and in gratitude for it, the firstborn, in all ages, were to be consecrated to God, as his peculiars (Exo 13:2), and to be redeemed, Exo 13:13. God, who by the right of creation is proprietor and sovereign of all the creatures, here lays claim in particular to the firstborn of the Israelites, by right of protection: Sanctify to me all the firstborn. The parents were not to look upon themselves as interested in their firstborn, till they had first solemnly presented them to God, recognized his title to them, and received them back, at a certain rate, from him again. Note, 1. That which is by special distinguishing mercy spared to us should be in a peculiar manner dedicated to God's honour; at least some grateful acknowledgment, in works of piety and charity, should be made, when our lives, or the lives of our children, have been given us for a prey. 2. God, who is the first and best, should have the first and best, and to him we should resign that which is most dear to us, and most valuable. The firstborn were the joy and hope of their families. Therefore they shall be mine, says God. By this is will appear that we love God best (as we ought) if we are willing to part with that to him which we love best in this world. 3. It is the church of the firstborn that is sanctified to God, Heb 12:23. Christ it the firstborn among many brethren (Rom 8:29), and, by virtue of their union with him, all that are born again, and born from above, are accounted as firstborn. There is an excellency of dignity and power belonging to them; and, if children, then heirs.
II. The remembrance of their coming out of Egypt must also be perpetuated: "Remember this day, Exo 13:3. Remember it by a good token, as the most remarkable day of your lives, the birthday of your nation, or the day of its coming of age, to be no longer under the rod." Thus 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 (as Moses told the Israelites what day of the year they were brought out of Egypt, that they might remember it yearly), but very particularly what day of the week it was, plainly intimating that, as the more valuable deliverance, and of greater importance, it should be remembered weekly. Remember it, for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out. Note, The more of God and his power appears in any deliverance, the more memorable it is. Now, that it might be remembered,
1.They must be sure to keep the feast of unleavened bread, Exo 13:5-7. It was not enough that they remembered it, but they must celebrate the memorial of it in that way which God had appointed, and use the instituted means of preserving the remembrance of it. So, under the gospel, we must not only remember Christ, but do this in remembrance of him. Observe, How strict the prohibition of leaven is (Exo 13:7); not only no leaven must be eaten, but none must be seen, no, not in all their quarters. Accordingly, the Jews' usage was, before the feast of the passover, to cast all the leavened bread out of their houses: they burnt it, or buried it, or broke it small and scattered it in the wind; they searched diligently with lighted candles in all the corners of their houses, lest any leaven should remain. The care and strictness enjoined in this matter were designed, (1.) To make the feast the more solemn, and consequently the more taken notice of by their children, who would ask, "Why is so much ado made?" (2.) To teach us how solicitous we should be to put away from us all sin, Co1 5:7.
2.They must instruct their children in the meaning of it, and relate to them the story of their deliverance out of Egypt, Exo 13:8. Note, (1.) Care must be taken betimes to instruct children in the knowledge of God. Here is an ancient law for catechising. (2.) It is particularly of great use to acquaint children betimes with the stories of the scripture, and to make them familiar to them. (3.) It is a debt we owe to the honour of God, and to the benefit of our children's souls, to tell them of the great works God has done for his church, both those which we have seen with our eyes done in our day and which we have heard with our ears and our fathers have told us: Thou shalt show thy son in that day (the day of the feast) these things. When they were celebrating the ordinance, they must explain it. Every thing is beautiful in its season. The passover is appointed for a sign, and for a memorial, that the Lord's law may be in thy mouth. Note, We must retain the remembrance of God's works, that we may remain under the influence of God's law. And those that have God's law in their heart should have it in their mouth, and be often speaking of it, the more to affect themselves and to instruct others.
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SUMMARY
Exodus 13:1 serves as a foundational declaration, marking the divine initiative and direct communication from the LORD to Moses. This concise verse acts as a pivotal transition, signaling a new phase of God's explicit guidance for the Israelites immediately following their miraculous liberation from Egypt and the institution of the Passover. It sets the authoritative stage for the subsequent commands concerning their identity as a redeemed nation, particularly the consecration of the firstborn and the perpetual observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Exodus 13:1 functions primarily as a framing device or narrative marker. This recurring formula ("And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying") signals a crucial shift in the narrative, moving from descriptive historical events (the plagues, the exodus) to prescriptive divine instruction (the laws and commandments). It acts as a divine signature, authenticating the subsequent content as God's direct word. Furthermore, it employs repetition of this formula throughout the Pentateuch, which serves to consistently emphasize the divine origin and absolute authority of Israel's laws and traditions, reinforcing their sacredness and demanding obedience from the people.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully communicates several core theological truths: it underscores God's sovereignty and His active involvement in the lives of His people, demonstrating that He is not a distant deity but one who speaks, guides, and directs, especially at pivotal moments in salvation history. It highlights the paramount importance of divine revelation, affirming that Israel's laws, rituals, and understanding of themselves are not human constructs but divinely revealed truths. Moreover, the use of YHWH emphasizes that this communication flows from God's covenant faithfulness, as He delivers His people and then instructs them on how to live in relationship with Him, establishing the terms of their new identity and walk.
This theme of God speaking to His chosen leader for the benefit of His people is a recurring motif throughout the biblical narrative, establishing a pattern of divine communication and human mediation.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 13:1, though brief, carries profound implications for our lives today. It reminds us that God is fundamentally a speaking God, one who actively desires to communicate His will and guidance to His people. While we do not hear an audible voice as Moses did, God continues to speak authoritatively through His inspired Word, the Bible, which serves as our primary source of divine instruction. This verse encourages us to cultivate an attentive posture, recognizing that God's instructions are not burdensome but are given for our good, shaping our identity and guiding our journey, especially during times of transition or new beginnings. Just as Israel needed clear direction for their new life of freedom, we, as God's redeemed people, need His wisdom to navigate our spiritual walk and live out our identity in Christ, allowing His word to transform our minds and direct our paths.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is this verse so short and seemingly insignificant?
Answer: Far from insignificant, its brevity highlights its profound importance as a narrative marker and an authoritative declaration. It signals a direct divine interjection, emphasizing that the instructions to follow are not human inventions or Moses' ideas, but God's authoritative commands. It's a foundational statement of divine initiative, setting the stage for all subsequent laws and revelations that will define Israel's identity and worship. Its conciseness makes it powerful, immediately establishing the divine source of all that follows.
Does "the LORD spake" mean God audibly spoke to Moses?
Answer: While the Bible describes various forms of divine communication, including audible voices (e.g., at Sinai in Exodus 19:9), the phrase "the LORD spake" often refers to a direct, clear, and unmistakable communication of God's will to Moses. This could be through an audible voice, a vision, a profound inner impression, or direct face-to-face communion, as described in Numbers 12:8. The emphasis is on the clarity, authority, and divine origin of the message, ensuring Moses fully comprehended and could accurately convey God's instructions, rather than solely on the mode of delivery.
What is the significance of Moses being the one spoken to?
Answer: Moses' unique role as God's chosen mediator is paramount. He was the one God called at the burning bush (Exodus 3:4-10), the one who confronted Pharaoh, and the one entrusted with leading Israel out of slavery and into covenant with God. God's consistent and direct communication through Moses underscores his unparalleled authority and responsibility in delivering God's law and leading His people. This establishes a pattern of divine revelation through a chosen prophet, highlighting Moses' singular position as the primary human agent in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan for Israel.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 13:1, with its emphasis on God speaking directly to Moses, finds its ultimate fulfillment and amplification in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as God spoke through Moses to give the Old Covenant Law, He has now spoken definitively through His Son. Hebrews 1:1-2 powerfully declares, "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son." Jesus is the ultimate "Word" of God, the full and final revelation of God's character and will (John 1:1-18). Furthermore, Jesus is presented as the "prophet like Moses" foretold in Deuteronomy 18:15-19. While Moses delivered God's law, Jesus embodies and fulfills that law, providing the ultimate means of salvation through His perfect life, atoning death, and victorious resurrection. The divine instructions given through Moses in Exodus 13 were for the Old Covenant community, guiding their identity as a liberated people. In Christ, God speaks a new covenant of grace, establishing a new people (the church) whose identity is rooted in His redemptive work and whose lives are guided by the Holy Spirit in conformity to Christ's teachings (John 14:26). Thus, the God who spake to Moses now speaks to us most perfectly and completely in Jesus, the living Word.