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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 13:3 records Moses' foundational instruction to the newly liberated Israelites, commanding them to perpetually commemorate the day of their miraculous deliverance from Egyptian slavery. This divine act, achieved solely by the LORD's overwhelming power, was to be remembered not merely as a historical event but as a defining moment in their national identity, concretized by the annual observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, symbolizing their hasty exodus and a spiritual break from their past bondage.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 13:3 serves as a pivotal command, establishing the bedrock of Israel's national identity rooted in divine deliverance.
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several impactful literary devices. Repetition is evident in the phrase "brought you out," which underscores the divine agency and the decisive nature of God's action in their liberation. The phrase "house of bondage" functions as a powerful metaphor, vividly portraying Egypt not merely as a geographical location but as a system of oppressive slavery, emphasizing the profound contrast with the freedom God provided. Finally, the command regarding "no leavened bread" is a symbolic act, transforming a historical detail (the haste of their departure) into a perpetual, tangible memorial that carries deep spiritual significance beyond its literal meaning, pointing towards purity and a clean break from the past.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 13:3 reveals several profound theological truths. First, it underscores God's sovereign power and redemptive initiative. Israel's freedom was not earned or achieved by their own efforts but was a direct result of the LORD's "strength of hand," demonstrating His absolute authority over human empires and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people. Second, it highlights the importance of active remembrance in faith. God commands His people to actively recall His mighty acts, not just as historical facts but as foundational truths that shape their identity, foster gratitude, cultivate trust, and compel obedience. Third, the command regarding unleavened bread introduces the theme of holiness and separation. The removal of leaven, which can symbolize corruption or sin in other biblical contexts, foreshadows a call to purity and a clean break from the "old life" of bondage, establishing a pattern for God's people to live distinctively. This verse connects to the broader biblical narrative by establishing the Exodus as the archetypal act of salvation in the Old Testament, setting the pattern for God's deliverance of His people from oppression, a theme that recurs throughout Scripture and finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, Exodus 13:3 offers profound spiritual parallels and timeless principles for living. Just as Israel was delivered from physical slavery, Christians are delivered from the "house of bondage" of sin and death by the mighty hand of God through Jesus Christ. This verse profoundly calls us to:
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is unleavened bread so important for remembering the Exodus?
Answer: The prohibition of leavened bread (chametz) is a tangible, sensory reminder of the haste of the Exodus. The Israelites left Egypt so quickly that they didn't have time for their bread dough to rise (Exodus 12:39). Eating unleavened bread (matzah) annually during Passover week allows each generation to physically participate in and remember that pivotal moment of rapid, divinely-orchestrated deliverance. It's a concrete way to embody the memory, making the historical event a present reality for every participant. Beyond the historical, it also carries symbolic weight, often representing purity and a clean break from the past.
Does "remember this day" imply that the Israelites were prone to forget God's mighty acts?
Answer: Yes, the command to "remember" (Hebrew: zakhar) is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, often given precisely because humanity is prone to forgetfulness, especially concerning God's past faithfulness and mighty deeds. The human tendency is to quickly move on, take blessings for granted, or attribute success to oneself rather than to divine intervention. God institutes these memorials and commands (like the Feast of Unleavened Bread in Exodus 13:6-7) to counteract this inherent human forgetfulness and ensure that the foundational truths of His character and actions are passed down and lived out by each succeeding generation. This constant call to remember is a testament to God's understanding of human nature and His desire for an enduring covenant relationship.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 13:3, with its emphasis on a decisive deliverance from bondage by God's mighty hand and the symbolism of unleavened bread, finds profound fulfillment and amplification in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The Exodus itself is a powerful type of the greater salvation accomplished through Christ. Just as Israel was delivered from physical slavery to Pharaoh and the "house of bondage" of Egypt, humanity is delivered from the spiritual "house of bondage" of sin and death by Christ's "strength of hand" on the cross and through His glorious resurrection. Jesus is explicitly identified by the Apostle Paul as "our Passover Lamb" in 1 Corinthians 5:7, whose sacrifice inaugurates a new exodus, a liberation from the ultimate oppressor. The command to "purge out therefore the old leaven" in 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 directly applies the symbolism of unleavened bread to the Christian life. The "old leaven" represents malice and wickedness, while the "unleavened bread" represents sincerity and truth, signifying that those who have been redeemed by Christ are called to a new life of purity and holiness, having been freed from the corrupting influence of sin by His sacrifice. The hasty departure from Egypt prefigures the urgent call to turn from sin and embrace the new life in Christ. Our salvation, like Israel's, is not by human effort or merit but by the irresistible, decisive power of God revealed in Jesus's life, death, and resurrection, which truly brings us out of spiritual bondage into glorious freedom and newness of life, as promised in Romans 6:4.