January 19, 2025
Exodus 13:1-16
“Firstborn Faith”
Service Overview: Exodus 13:1-16 highlights God’s command to consecrate the firstborn, symbolizing Israel’s redemption and belonging to Him. Through this act, God reminds His people of His mighty deliverance from Egypt and calls them to live a life of devotion, consecration, and remembrance.
Memory Verse for the Week:
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. (Colossians 1:15)
Background & Technical Insights:
- This section of Exodus records different ways in which the Passover is to be commemorated by future generations of Israelites. No other event in their long history enjoys such prestige. For the Israelites, it was a defining moment, not only preparing them for an independent existence as God’s holy people, but also modeling how people are saved from the consequences of human sin. (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 110)
- In Exodus 13:3-10 we see a reiteration and expansion of the regulations for the Festival of Unleavened Bread. It was to be observed in detail and then taught to the children. Notice the phrase “for the Lord brought you out of Egypt with a strong hand” (13:9). It was used already in verse 3 and is repeated in verses 14 and 16. This phrase frames this whole section; it provides a picture of God’s mighty salvation. The meal caused them to remember that God delivered them from bondage by His mighty hand. (Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Exodus, 75)
- Passover was essentially a family festival and a vehicle for passing the story of the Israelites’ deliverance down through the generations (26–27). The situation is envisaged where future generations will have to face the inevitable question ‘Why?’ from their children, and they are instructed to answer it in terms of the historic past by recounting that the Passover re-enacts what the Lord did long ago in redemption (when he passed over the houses of the Israelites) and judgment (when he struck down the Egyptians). (J. Alec Motyer, The Message of Exodus, 137)
- Passover starts on the 10th day of the month of Aviv and ends on the 14th day. The Feast of Unleavened Bread starts on the 14th day and ends on the 21st. The key day in both cases is the 14th, the day of liberation. The two festivals essentially take place on the same day and commemorate the same event (as Luke 22:1 suggests). But they each reflect a different aspect of its meaning. The Passover commemorates liberation from death since it re-enacts God’s passing over Israel in his bringing of death to Egypt (Exodus 12:24-27, 43-49). The Feast of Unleavened Bread commemorates liberation from slavery since it re-enacts Israel’s hasty departure from Egypt (12:14-17; 13:3-10). (Tim Chester, Exodus for You, 95)
What vital concepts present themselves in Exodus 13 and why should we care?
- Consecration: Because God calls His people to deep commitment.
(vv. 1-2, 11-13 | Deut. 6:5; 1 Sam. 12:24; Matt. 22:37-38; Luke 9:23; Rom. 12:1; Phil 1:21)
The firstborn represented the whole family. By dedicating the firstborn to God, they were saying, “our family belongs to you, Lord.” (Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Exodus, 74)
Not only once a year at Passover were the Jews reminded of God’s grace and power, but each time a firstborn male, man or beast, came into the world, that firstborn issue had to be redeemed. Because of God’s mighty acts in protecting and redeeming His people and saving the firstborn of humans and livestock from death (Ex. 12:12–13), all the firstborn belonged to God. They were sanctified, that is, set apart for God’s exclusive possession. (Wiersbe, Exodus, 71)
- Commemoration: Because God calls His people to regularly remember what He has done for them.
(vv. 3-10. 14-16 | Deut 4:9; 1 Chr. 16:12; Ps. 77:11-12; 103:2; Luke 22:19; 1 Cor. 11:24-25)
One reason God gave his people so many ways to commemorate the exodus — Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the consecration of the firstborn — was so they would have plenty of opportunities to give their children the facts of salvation. The redemption of sons was part of their national testimony. It pointed back to Israel’s great escape, when the Egyptians paid for Israel’s redemption at the cost of their firstborn sons. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Exodus, 375)
The redemption of the firstborn was a reminder of what God had done, that is, liberate his people from slavery. But the fact that it had to be repeated with each new generation meant it was also a reminder of what God was yet to do—finally and fully liberate his people from sin and death. (Tim Chester, Exodus, 94)
- Communion: Because this festival ultimately foreshadows the work of Christ and the sacrament by which God’s people would proclaim and unite under the New Covenant.
(vv. 8-9, 16 | Exodus 12:26-27; Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 26:26-28; John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8; 10:16-17; 11:23-26; Hebrews 9:22; Revelation 5:9-10)
We are called to remember Christ’s work on our behalf through the Lord’s Supper. This meal signifies our great deliverance. In it, we taste and see Jesus’ work on our behalf. Just as Israel looked back to the Passover, we look back to God’s work on the cross for us and ahead to our glorious future with our King. (Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Exodus, 75)
Conclusion… What is vital to do whenever we participate in the sacrament of Communion?
- Look back: Remember what’s been done.
(Is. 53:5; Luke 22:19; Rom. 5:8; 1 Cor. 11:24-25; Gal. 3:13; Eph. 1:7; 1 Peter 2:24)
In its once-for-all aspect Passover foreshadows his offering ‘for all time’ of the ‘one sacrifice for sins’ (Heb. 10:12). (J. Alec Motyer, Exodus, 138)
Nowhere is God so near to man as in Jesus Christ; and nowhere is Christ so familiarly represented to us, as in this holy sacrament. (Richard Baxter, Quoted by Packer, Puritan Idea of Communion with God, 116)
- Look inward: Examine yourself and confess your need.
(Lam. 3:40; Ps. 139:23-24; Is. 66:2; Rom. 3:23; 1 Cor. 11:28-29; 2 Cor. 13:5; 1 John 1:9)
At the heart of the present significance of the Lord’s Supper is our communion or fellowship with Christ, hence the term “communion service.” In coming to this service the believer comes to meet with Christ and have fellowship with Him at His invitation. The examination takes place because it would be hypocrisy for us to pretend that we are in communion with the Holy One while actually cherishing known sin in our hearts. (James Montgomery Boice, Foundations of the Christian Faith-Book I, 603)
- Look around: Uniting with those you belong to in Christ.
(John 13:34-35; Acts 2:42-47; Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 4:3-6; Philippians 2:1-2; Colossians 3:14-15; Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 John 4:11-12)
Just as the Passover shaped the identity of the Israelites, so the Lord’s Supper shapes our identity as Christians. We not only remember the story of the cross and resurrection. We enact it in the breaking of bread and the pouring of wine, and in this sense we participate in it. It becomes our story and our identity, our living reality. (Tim Chester, Exodus for You, 96)
To have union with Christ is to have communion with his church. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Preaching the Word: Exodus, 360)
- Look forward: Anticipating Christ’s return.
(Matthew 24:30-31; John 14:2-3; Romans 8:18-21; 1 Corinthians 11:26; Philippians 3:20-21; Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 3:12-13; Revelation 21:1-4 )
Jesus established the Lord’s Supper after He had led His disciples in celebrating Passover, for He is the fulfillment of the Passover as the Lamb of God, who died for the sins of the world. Each time we share in the Lord’s Supper, we look back and remember His death, but we also look ahead and anticipate His coming again. (Warren Wiersbe, Be Delivered: Exodus, 73)
Gospel Connection…
Through Jesus, The Passover Lamb, God invites all to deep commitment, continual remembrance, and joyful communion in the New Covenant.
(Luke 9:23; 22:19-20; John 1:29; Romans 12:1; 1 Corinthians 5:7; 11:24-25; Ephesians 4:3-6; Philippians 2:1-2; Hebrews 9:15; Revelation 5:9-10)
Christ is our Passover Lamb, who died in our place. He is the fulfilment of the promise embodied in the Passover. Christ is “the firstborn from among the dead” (Colossians 1:18). He is the son of Adam who died and was resurrected as the firstborn of a new humanity. All those in Christ by faith have died in Christ to the slavery of sin and condemnation of death. And so we have risen to new life in Christ. (Tim Chester, Exodus for You, 94)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.
- Why do you think God commanded the consecration of the firstborn, and how does this relate to our commitment to Him today? What areas of your life might God be calling you to set apart for Him in deeper commitment?
- Why is it important to regularly remember what God has done for us? How can we practically do this in daily life?
- What does participating in communion mean to you personally, and how does it unite us as a church family?
- When you participate in communion, how do you “look back” at Christ’s sacrifice? How does this strengthen your faith?
- Why is self-examination important before taking communion, and how can we prepare our hearts better?
Quotes to note…
The Lord’s Supper is a sacrament of our redemption by Christ’s death. To those who rightly, worthily and with faith receive it, the bread which we break is a partaking of the body of Christ; and likewise the cup of blessing is a partaking of the blood of Christ. The supper is also a sign of the love and unity that Christians have among themselves. Christ, according to His promise, is really present in the sacrament. But His body is given, taken and eaten only after a heavenly and spiritual manner. No change is effected in the element; the bread and wine are not literally the body and blood of Christ. Nor is the body and blood of Christ literally present with the elements. The elements are never to be considered objects of worship. The body of Christ is received and eaten in faith. (Free Methodist Book of Discipline ¶125, cf. Mark 14:22-24; John 6:53-58; Acts 2:46; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8; 10:16; 11:20, 23-29)
Amazingly, in order to redeem us, God offered up His own firstborn Son (Rom 8:32). Now we no longer belong to ourselves but to God (1 Pet 1:18-19; 1 Cor 6:19-20). (Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Exodus, 75)
Whenever and by whatever means we remember what God has done for us through the cross and resurrection of Christ—our great redemption—we must at the same time remember who we are, whose we are, and what we are here for: namely, to be the people through whom God will bring others into the blessing of a redeemed relationship with himself. (Christopher J.H. Wright, The Story of God Bible Commentary: Exodus, 260)
The ritual of redemption helped parents understand that their children really did not belong to them at all; they belonged to God. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Preaching the Word: Exodus, 374)
In America most Christians think of salvation in individual terms. Evangelicals often talk about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Christianity is about what God has done for me. However, we also believe in the communion of saints, which means that we all have something in common. In salvation God has joined us together with Jesus Christ. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Preaching the Word: Exodus, 359)
Sharing the Lord’s Supper is a powerful symbol of our unity and community in Christ. The Apostle Paul explained this to the Corinthians, who sometimes had trouble getting along with one another. He asked them, “Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?” (1 Cor. 10:16). The answer was “Yes!” In some mysterious way, by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, Christians who eat the bread and drink the cup are spiritually connected to Christ. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Preaching the Word: Exodus, 360)
We should remember that it is through Christ’s death that we are reconciled to God and each other. He has made us one, and we set our hearts on pursuing unity in love. The Lord’s Supper is a great time to pray and plan for oneness with our brothers and sisters. It is a time to explore new ways to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving. (Edward Welch, When People are Big and God is Small, 206)