Êxodo 13
Matthew Henry · Citado em PreceptAustin
Êxodo 13
Henry - It is the church of the firstborn that is sanctified to God, Heb. 12:23. Christ is the firstborn among many brethren (Ro 8:29), and, by virtue of their union with Him, all that are born again, and born from above, are accounted as firstborn. J
Êxodo 13
Henry - Their spirits were broken with slavery; it was not easy for them to turn their hands of a sudden from the trowel to the sword.
Êxodo 13
Henry - He may devise his way, and design it; but, after all, it is God that directs his steps, Prov. 16:9. Man proposes, but God disposes, and in his disposal we must acquiesce, and set ourselves to follow providence. Israel would face warfare but not until the Amalekites in Exodus 17. Bruckner on change their minds - This would in fact be a temptation, as quick physical liberation does not necessarily result in the liberation of one’s self-perception (Ex 14:10–14). (Ibid) Kaiser - There were three possible routes of escape: (1) a northeast route going to Qantara through the land of the Philistines to Gaza and Canaan; (2) a middle route heading across the Negeb to Beersheba, which incorrectly assumes Mount Sinai is Gebel Halal near Kadesh-Barnea; and (3) a southeast route leading from the wilderness east of modern Ismailia to the southern extremities of the Sinai Peninsula. (EBC) John Currid observes that the "direct route would have been the Via Maris (the Way of the Sea) that extends from the Nile river across the northern Sinai into the coastal plain of Palestine. This was an extensively travelled road in ancient times, and was probably the most commonly used route from Egypt to Asia. An attempted escape through northern Sinai would have placed the Hebrews in harm’s way because the primary roads in that region were guarded by a series of Egyptian forts. God was well aware of the character of the Israelites, that they would flee at the first sign of danger and war. They would simply prefer to return to Egypt and its oppression rather than face the hazards of battle (consider Num. 14:1–4 where God’s assessment is shown to be correct). (EPSC-Ex) Matthew Henry - If we think he leads not his people the nearest way, yet we may be sure he leads them the best way, and so it will appear when we come to our journey’s end. Judge nothing before the time...1 Corinthians 10:13+ = "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." God knows our frame, and considers our weakness and faintheartedness, and by less trials will prepare us for greater. God is said to bring Israel out of Egypt as the eagle brings up her young ones (Dt. 32:11), teaching them by degrees to fly. NET Note - This short section (Ex 13:17–22) marks the beginning of the journey of the Israelites toward the sea and Sinai. The emphasis here is on the leading of Yahweh—but this leading is manifested in a unique, supernatural way—unlikely to be repeated with these phenomena. Although a primary application of such a passage would be difficult, the general principle is clear: God, by his clear revelation, leads his people to the fulfillment of the promise. This section has three short parts: the leading to the sea (17–18), the bones of Joseph (19), and the leading by the cloud and pillar (20–22). Change their minds (05162)(naham/nacham) can mean to be sorry (to repent), to console oneself, to change one’s mind, reconsider, i.e., change one’sing. opinion concerning truth (1Sa 15:29; Ps 110:4); to change one's mind (Nu 23:19). Gilbrant - In many locations, the KJV translates nācham as "repent," and in the majority of those instances, God is the One Who "repents." The Bible teaches that God is not a man that He has need to repent (1 Sa 15:29); that is, He never sins and therefore never needs to "turn away from" evil deeds, thoughts, etc. Nevertheless, from man's limited perspective, God seems to change his mind concerning certain acts. Many translators use the word "relent" instead to reflect the idea of God's compassion. For example, Ex 32:14 states, "And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people." To understand how such a statement is possible, the Bible teaches that God's judgments are conditional. That is, "If that nation that I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned" (Jer. 18:8, NIV) See Does God change His mind?
Êxodo 13
Henry summarizes Exodus 13... I. The commands God gave to Israel, To sanctify all their firstborn to Him (Ex 13:1, 2). To be sure to remember their deliverance out of Egypt (Ex 13:3, 4), In remembrance of it, to keep the feast of unleavened bread (Ex 13:5–7). To transmit the knowledge of it with all possible care to their children (Ex 13:8–10). To set apart unto God the firstlings of their cattle (Ex 13:11–13), To explain that also to their children (Ex 13:14–16). II. The care God took of Israel, when he had brought them out of Egypt. Choosing their way for them (Ex 13:17, 18). Guiding them in the way (Ex 13:20–22). III. Their care of Joseph’s bones (Ex 13:19). David Thompson - As we come to Exodus 13, God gave specific information about what He wanted Israel to do when she got into the Promised Land. He wanted to remind her of His deliverance every time any firstborn thing was born. He wanted His salvific program to be remembered so He demanded that the firstborn of everything had to be dedicated to Him. This included the firstborn of humans and the firstborn of animals. That blood that covered the door kept the firstborn from being killed. This redemptive point is so significant that God established another ordinance to remind Israel of this very point. All of the firstborn belonged to God because God redeemed all firstborn from death by that blood on the door (Ex. 12:12-13). GOD WANTED ISRAEL TO ALWAYS REMEMBER THE SALVIFIC REALITY OF THE BLOOD SACRIFICE BY THE DEDICATION OF ALL THE FIRSTBORN CHILDREN. This is the very point that Israel has overlooked. When Jesus Christ came to this earth, Israel could not conceive of the idea that she needed a righteousness that could only be found in His shed blood. Israel was religious, but she thought her own works and law religion would make her right with God. She forgot about the blood. Had she gone back to this book of Exodus, that would have never happened and (ED: AT LEAST IN THEORY) she would never have rejected Jesus Christ. The Israelites needed to recognize God saved their firstborn by the blood of a lamb or sheep. God purchased her and thus He owns her and deserves the first and the best. In whatever God gave to Israel, whether children, animals, spoils of war or harvests, God wants the first and the best. He deserves it because He gave it. Now think about this for a moment. The only reason Israel is in a position to have anything is because of God. In amazing grace, God literally saved the nation and without that national salvation she would have been nothing. APPLICATION - God never wanted Israel to forget about her great salvation experience, and neither should we. God saved us and without that we are nothing. God give us physical life, spiritual life, skills and many wonderful things. We owe Him everything. Certainly we should give Him the best of what we have and are. We should give Him the first and the best of ourselves, our possessions and our money. (Sermon) Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying - God gave this firstborn instruction directly to Moses, who in turn had the responsibility to speak to the people. Thompson applies the fact that God spoke to Moses - There is an elder of a church I know who stood against home gatherings on Sunday night rather than corporate meetings. He took a stand as an elder and said, “If God has truly given the gift of pastor/teacher to the church, why would we want to spend Sunday night listening to someone without that gift?” “If God has given the gift of pastor/teacher to the church, why would you want to sit in some home meeting listening to someone ramble about what he thinks it means to him, when you actually have someone who could accurately dissect what it means?” Can you imagine Moses saying to the people, all of you go home and try to figure out what this Passover and firstborn thing means? No, he stood up and taught it to the people. Moses predicted another prophet would come through Israel and you better listen to Him (Deut. 18:18-19). It is the job of the spokesman of God to accurately teach the people the Word of God and there are many ministers today who are shirking their responsibilities. Exodus 13:2 "Sanctify to Me every firstborn, the first offspring of every womb among the sons of Israel, both of man and beast; it belongs to Me." Sanctify - Ex 13:12-15 Ex 4:22 Ex 22:29,30 Ex 23:19 Ex 34:19,20 Lev 27:26 Nu 3:13 Nu 8:16,17 Nu 18:15 Dt 15:19 Lu 2:23 Heb 12:23 Exodus 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PERPETUATE THE REMEMBRANCE: SANCTIFY THE FIRSTBORN Sanctify - This is a command to set apart the first for Jehovah. The Septuagint uses the Greek verb hagiazo (aorist imperative = "Just do it!"), which describes that which is set apart from the profane or common and unto the Lord for His use. This reminds me of the words of Jesus high priestly prayer to His Father to "Sanctify (His disciples) in the truth, Your Word is truth." (Jn 17:17). Matthew Henry - 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 (Ex 13:2), and to be redeemed, Ex 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 (ED: WHY "PROTECTION?" RECALL THAT THE VERB PASS OVER WAS NOT ONLY A VERB OF DIVINE "OMISSION" BUT ALSO AND PERHAPS PREDOMINANTLY A VERB SIGNIFYING DIVINE PROTECTION - See preceding comments ). Sanctify to Me every firstborn, the first offspring of every womb among the sons of Israel, both of man and beast; it belongs to Me - Sanctify to Me because God had in a sense purchased them with the blood of the blemish-free lamb. They were alive because of His will. They were alive because of His grace and mercy. It is only fitting that they belonged to Him. And so they were to be set aside, consecrated, dedicated to Jehovah. Remember that Moses picks up this discussion of the firstborn with more explanation in Ex 13:12, 13. Matthew Henry - 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....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 it 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. (ED: I PRAY YOU ARE AS CONVICTED AS I AM!) The deliverance from Egypt was to be commemorated not only by the feast of Passover/Unleavened Bread but also by the acknowledgement of the redemption of the firstborn by payment of blood. God had ea rlier claimed Israel as His firstborn "Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Israel is My son, My firstborn." (Ex 4:22+). At the same time, He predicted the death of the firstborn of Egypt (" Behold, I will kill your son, your firstborn.”’ Ex 4:23+). Thus He provided a way for the firstborn of His people to be spared the death of all the firstborn in Egypt. On this basis, He claimed that Israel belonged to Him. Jehovah reiterates His claim in Numbers declaring “For all the firstborn of the children of Israel are mine, both man and beast: on the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for Myself” (Nu. 8:17). Note that phrase "for Myself," which speaks of personal possession. Jehovah set Israel aside as His personal possession and for His specific purposes. Sanctify (06942)(qadash) means to set apart for a specific use. Removed from common use. To be holy. To show one's self to be holy. To consecrate or dedicate. To set apart a person or thing from all common or secular purposes to some religious use. Everything consecrated to God was separated from all profane use. Webster's Dictionary definition for consecrate is convicting - " make or declare sacred; especially devote irrevocably to worship of God by a solemn ceremony." Qadash could refer to anything reserved exclusively for God (Ex 13:2, 12, 13; Nu 18:15) Qadash signifies an act or a state in which people or things are set aside for use in the worship of God, i.e., they are consecrated or made sacred for that purpose. They must be withheld from ordinary (secular) use and treated with special care as something which belongs to God (Ex 29:21). Otherwise, defilement makes the sanctified object unusable (cf. Dt 22:9; Eze 44:19; 46:20, cf 2 Ti 2:21). Sanctify is translated here in the Septuagint with hagiazo, a verb calling for believers to be holy and it is apropos for we like the firstborn of Israel who was redeemed by the blood of the lamb, are also the firstborn who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God! Qadash is used with various objects: THESE ARE THINGS WHICH ARE SET APART. people of Israel - Ex 19:10, 14; Joshua 7:13 altar in the Temple - Ex 29:36; 1Ki 8:64 priests - Ex 28:41; 29:1;1Sa 7:1 mountain - Ex 19:23 Sabbath - Ge 2:3; Ex 20:8 new building - Neh 3:1 fast - Joel 1:14; 2:15 THOUGHT - The adjective hagios is related to hagiazo and in essence is the description of every believer ("saint"). As believers we have all be sanctified by faith in the Lamb (Acts 26:18+) but are now called to live sanctified, separated, holy (cf "unleavened") lives as Peter says "As obedient children, do not be conformed (suschematizo [also in Ro 12:2+] - command in present imperative with a negative see need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be (aorist imperative - see need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because (EXPLAINS WHY WE ARE TO LIKE OUR FATHER!) it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” (1 Peter 1:14-16+). J
Êxodo 13
Henry - The remembrance of their coming out of Egypt must also be perpetuated. 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. George Bush on remember this day - The reason of this was not merely the favor shown to them in such a signal deliverance, but the display it involved of the divine interposition, and obviously the more of God and of his power there is in any deliverance, the more memorable it is. Moses said to the people, "Remember this day - Moses begins with a command for Israel to continually make a conscious effort to remember this day, the day (and night) of the Passover, the day of their deliverance from bondage in Egypt. I say "continually" because the Septuagint (Lxx) translates the Hebrew word for remember (zakar) with the Greek verb mnemoneuo which is an imperative or command in the present tense, which calls for continual remembrance. Furthermore, the Greek verb is in the second person plural, so this command is directed not just to an individual but to all individuals in the nation of Israel. Finally, the Greek verb is in the active voice which calls for one's obedience to this command to be the continual conscious choice of their will (volitional choice). The point is that remembering does not just "happen" but it takes mental effort. I like to memorize Scripture and find that if I do not regularly review my memory verses, those verses become fainter and fainter over time so that occasionally I cannot even recall the chapter and verse designation, much less the substance of the passage. You may have a perfect memory but most of us do not and most of Israel did not as tragically will be seen in their subsequent history as a nation. So God is giving Israel some memory joggers in Exodus 13:3-10. What is this day? Moses tells us it is the very day they departed Egypt, the very day Jehovah redeemed them from bondages and set them free. How does this Old Testament truth apply to New Testament believers today? The application should be crystal clear -- we need to continually remember that miraculous, glorious day when we were reckoned as righteous the moment we received by faith through grace the redemption payment of the blood of the Lamb forever setting us free from slavery to sin and Satan. 1 Peter 1:18-19 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. Ro 6:17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. John 8:31-36 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35“The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 36 “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. Hebrews 2:14 -15 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. Remember (record, mention) (02142)(zakar) means to recall, call to mind or to be brought to remembrance. The first use of zakar is wonderful for it says "God remembered Noah" remembering His covenant (Ge 6:18). Bush writes that zakar " has the import not merely of mental recollection, but of actual celebration, or of some kind of public proceeding which should serve as a perpetuating memorial of a particular event." Zakar is used in the famous command “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy." (Ex 20:8) In which you went out from Egypt, from the house of slavery - While the people of Israel were always to remember that “the Lord brought [them] out of it”, they were NOT to remember Egypt positively (the idolatry, the worldliness, etc of Egypt) but they were to remember that Egypt meant bondage and oppression! They were not to look back longingly, but to move out in freedom gratefully and obediently on a journey to lay hold of the promises of Jehovah, specifically the Promised Land of milk and honey. Walter Kaiser says house of slavery "is literally “from a house of slaveries” (also Ex 20:2; Dt 5:6; 6:12). Bush reminds us (Exodus, 1:155) of Egypt being called “the iron-smelting furnace” in Dt 4:20 ("But the LORD has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, from Egypt, to be a people for His own possession, as today); 1 Ki 8:51 ("from Egypt, from the midst of the iron furnace"); and Jer 11:4 ("I brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace,"). (EBC-Ex) House of slavery - 11x in 11v always referring to Israel in Egyptian bondage - Exod. 13:3; Exod. 13:14; Exod. 20:2; Deut. 5:6; Deut. 6:12; Deut. 7:8; Deut. 8:14; Deut. 13:5; Deut. 13:10; Jdg. 6:8; Mic. 6:4 By way of application to our Christian life, this reminds us of Paul's words Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Duncan on house of slavery - The house of slavery is perhaps a graphic recollection of the practice of the Egyptians. They would have a large house within a walled-slaved city where all the slaves would be kept. And it became a metaphor to the Israelites of the whole land of Egypt. It was their experience of bondage and oppression. They are brought out of the house of slavery. For - Term of explanation. Moses explains how they were extracted from bondage, the house of slavery. By a powerful hand the LORD brought you out from this place - This phrase is repeated four times in Exodus 13! In this passage and Ex 13:9, Ex 13:14 and Ex 13:16. THIS TRUTH IS WORTH REPEATING BELOVED!!! God wants it to be clearly understood that it was not through some clever stratagem, it was not through Moses’ brilliance or eloquence (!!!), it was not through Moses’ courage (He did grow in courage over the course of the 9 plagues!), it was not because of the people’s goodness or because they were so lovable – it was by Yahweh's powerful hand that they came out of Egypt. Beloved, every believer should have T-shirt with the message emblazoned on the front and back "I Have Delivered by a Powerful Hand!" I would predict you might be able to engage in some evangelistic discussions if you wore that in the shopping mall, etc! George Bush - however hard or strong the impious king made his heart, God made his hand still stronger. This is one of those nice shades of meaning which cannot well be conveyed in a translation. (Exodus) A key phrase in this section is brought out found in Ex 13:3, Ex 13:9, Ex 13:14, Ex 13:16. THOUGHT - By way of application, believers today are given a freedom (from the house of slavery) won at the cost of Christ’s blood (1Pe 1:18,19). It is appropriate that, since He gave Himself for us, (1Pe 2:24,25) we should give ourselves to Him (Titus 2:14). When we remember what God has done for us (2 Ti 2:8, 2Pe 3:2, Rev 2:5, Rev 3:3), we are motivated to ask what we can do for God. It is important never to invert this order. We are not to foolishly pridefully try to please God in order to obligate Him to us. Instead we are to humbly acknowledge that we are already obligated to Him for our salvation! Good works (Ep 2:10 "God's" works through us) can express love for the Holy One of Israel, our Redeemer Who has saved us, but can never serve as a bribe to win His unmerited favor (called grace). Thank Him for so great a salvation. Romans 6:17-18+ But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. And nothing leavened shall be eaten - The point is that God is giving Israel a concrete way of remembering and expressing what He has done by depriving themselves of the leavened bread. They would be forced to remember the bread of haste that they had to make in the wake of God’s deliverance in the Exodus. Exodus 13:4 "On this day in the month of Abib, you are about to go forth. NAU Exodus 13:4 "On this day in the month of Abib, you are about to go forth. BGT Exodus 13:4 ἐν γὰρ τῇ σήμερον ὑμεῖς ἐκπορεύεσθε ἐν μηνὶ τῶν νέων NET Exodus 13:4 On this day, in the month of Abib, you are going out. LXE Exodus 13:4 For on this day ye go forth in the month of new corn. NLT Exodus 13:4 On this day in early spring, in the month of Abib, you have been set free. KJV Exodus 13:4 This day came ye out in the month Abib. ESV Exodus 13:4 Today, in the month of Abib, you are going out. NIV Exodus 13:4 Today, in the month of Abib, you are leaving. ASV Exodus 13:4 This day ye go forth in the month Abib. CSB Exodus 13:4 Today, in the month of Abib, you are leaving. NKJ Exodus 13:4 "On this day you are going out, in the month Abib. Abib - Ex 23:15 34:18 De 16:1-3 Exodus 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries GOING FORTH ON FIRST MONTH ABIB On this day in the month of Abib, you are about to go forth - NLT paraphrases it "On this day in early spring, in the month of Abib, you have been set free." In essence Moses says on the 14th of Abib or Nisan (the Chaldee name), our March-April, you are to celebrate your deliverance and freedom. There was a very specific day and month when this feast was to be celebrated. Bush calls Abib "the month of green corn." Abib (024)(abib) means "young ear of grain," ripe, but soft. Thus, it became a designation of a specific time of the year, the time of the first harvest. Others say it means barley especially when it is just rips and still soft and allows the grains to be eaten rubbed or roasted. In Lev 2:14 it was used as an offering to the LORD. Abib is the month of Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread and first-fruits which are still observed yearly to remind the Israelites of their deliverance from Egypt. Abib - 9x in 6v - Abib(6), ear(1), fresh heads(1), fresh heads of grain(1). Ex 9:31; Ex 13:4; Ex 23:15; Ex 34:18; Lev. 2:14; Dt. 16:1 Deuteronomy 16:1 “Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, for in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night. Exodus 13:5 "It shall be when the LORD brings you to the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, which He swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall observe this rite in this month. brings you to the land - Ex 3:8 34:11 Ge 15:18-21 De 7:1 12:29 19:1 26:1 Jos 24:11 He swore to your fathers - Ex 6:8 33:1 Ge 17:7,8 Ge 22:16-18 Ge 26:3 Ge 50:24 Nu 14:16,30 32:11 land flowing with milk and honey - Ex 3:17 you shall observe this rite in this month - Ex 12:25,26 Exodus 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries KEEP THE PASSOVER IN THE PROMISED LAND It shall be when the LORD brings you to the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Hivite and the Jebusite - Now the land of Canaan had never heard of having a feast of “unleavened bread,” so Moses makes it clear in verse 5 that when they get into that land they need to observe it. You is plural (as is you in Ex 13:4) so he is speaking of not just this individual but the entire nation. Jehovah had heard Israel's cry in the furnace of affliction in Egypt and so in some of the opening words from Jehovah in the Burning Bush to Moses Yahweh declared "“So I have come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite" (Ex 3:8+) George Bush has an interesting note - Provision is here made for the permanent remembrance of the great event of the nation’s exodus from Egypt. The present injunction prescribes the observance of the rite after their settlement in the land of promise, and we learn that they kept only one passover during their forty years sojourn in the wilderness. It was omitted probably because circumcision was omitted during that time, which was an indispensable prerequisite to the passover. (Exodus) Which He swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey - Swore to your fathers refers to the Abrahamic Covenant passed to Isaac then to Israel (read Ge 17:7,8 = to Abraham, Ge 26:3 = to Isaac). The danger for Israel was that when they got into a land like that is that you forget about who gave you all of the blessings. This festival would point right back to God THOUGHT - Milk and honey make one forget how they got here, by God’s strong hand and they are not their own but are redeemed and are as a nation Yahweh's firstborn (Ex 4:22, Jer 31:9). Dear believer, O how we need to continually be on guard (as enabled by God's Spirit) lest our heart devotion for Jehovah slowly dissipates (like a battery slowly leaks its power) and is replaced by the enchanting taste of "milk and honey" (whatever that is in each or our lives - money, power, prestige, etc)! Thomas Watson said - Pride, idleness, and lust—are three worms which often breed in prosperity….Prosperity often deafens the ear against God…. Prosperity has its honey—and also its sting!... Many have been sunk to hell, with golden weights! The world's golden sands are quicksands… If we have less prosperity—we have less snare. As we lack the rich provisions of the world—so we lack their temptations. TECHNICAL NOTE ON SWORE - Often the verb “swear” (šābaʿ, Niphal) means “promise.” See Gen. 22:16–17; 26:3; 50:24; Exod. 33:1; Num. 11:12; 32:11; Deut. 1:8; 6:10, 18; etc. That you shall observe this rite in this month - Observe is used in the sense of worship. God wanted Israel to think about His redemptive program which was focused on that shed blood and let that stimulate worship of Yahweh and a life lived in concordance with true worship. Walter Kaiser has an fascinating note on the Hebrew word for observe or ceremony in NIV (Hebrew = abad; Lxx = latreia = religious service based in worship) - Although הָעֲבֹדָה (hāʿaḇōḏāh) is rendered “ceremony” here (ED: IN THE NIV - Ex 13:5NIV) and also in Ex 12:25–26, it was “slavery” and “work” in Ex 2:23 and Ex 5:9; but it is a “work [or service of the Lord]” in Ex 35:24; 36:5; 39:42. Thus Israel was saved from “slavery” into “service” for God as remembered by a “ceremony”! A veritable theology in a single word! Exodus 13:6 "For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the LORD Ex 12:15-20 34:18 Lev 23:8 Exodus 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the LORD - So remember the rite with memory per se but also with celebration. Recall that the feast of unleavened bread is integrally linked to the day of Passover, so much so that Dr Luke records "Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching." (Lk 22:1+) Thompson - To enjoy the full blessings of God, sin must be removed. Exodus 13:7 "Unleavened bread shall be eaten throughout the seven days; and nothing leavened shall be seen among you, nor shall any leaven be seen among you in all your borders. Ex 12:19 Mt 16:6 Exodus 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries STRICT PROHIBITION AGAINST LEAVEN! Unleavened bread shall be eaten throughout the seven days; and nothing leavened shall be seen among you, nor shall any leaven be seen among you in all your borders - Notice this ordinance is so strict that not only was leaven not to be eaten, it was not even to be seen! THOUGHT - In our visual society rife (and rotting morally) with sexual images, how relevant is this prohibition to all the firstborn of the Church of Jesus Christ (Heb 12:23+)? That's a rhetorical question of course! This passage is very convicting! Exodus 13:8 "You shall tell your son on that day, saying, 'It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.' Ex 13:14 Ex 12:26,27 De 4:9,10 Ps 44:1 78:3-8 Isa 38:19 Eph 6:4 Exodus 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PERSONALIZATION AND PASSING ON You shall tell your son on that day, saying, 'It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt - Specifically the father was to tell of the lamb that was offered and his blood was shed that enabled God to save him.Notice the phrase what the LORD did for ME clearly personalizes this blood bought redemption for the father (cf Ex 13:16 where he says "the LORD brought US out of Egypt.”'), the implication being that this man was in the original group of Hebrews who experienced the exodus from Egypt. His personal experience was to be passed on to the next generation. Of course the message would still apply to his son, who would be one of the first generation to enter into the promised land for the father would die in the 40 years of wilderness wanderings. We see this same important principle of passing the truth about God's marvelous works down to the next generation in Psalm 78:5-8 For He established a testimony in Jacob And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers That they should teach them to their children, 6 That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, That they may arise and tell them to their children, 7 That they should put their confidence in God And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments, 8 And not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not prepare its heart And whose spirit was not faithful to God. George Bush comments on the important truth presented in this passage... No one can fail to infer from this the great importance of acquainting children at an early age with the leading stories of sacred writ, and familiarising their minds with the moral lessons which they are designed to teach. It is a debt which we owe to the honor of God and to the benefit of their souls, to tell them of the great things which God has in former ages or in our own age, done for his church, or is still doing. Nor should parents consider themselves released from this duty because their children can read these narratives for themselves, or hear them recited and explained by Sunday School teachers. They are things to be talked about in the family circle, which is the grand nursery of God’s appointment for the training of the infant mind, and where the tender heart of childhood is most easily to be reached. (Exodus) NET Note - A very important part of the teaching here is the manner in which the memory of the deliverance will be retained in Israel—they were to teach their children the reasons for the feast, as a binding law forever. This will remind the nation of its duties to Yahweh in gratitude for the great deliverance. Exodus 13:9 "And it shall serve as a sign to you on your hand, and as a reminder on your forehead, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth; for with a powerful hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt. a sign to you on your hand - Ex 13:16 12:14 Nu 15:39 De 6:6,8 11:18,19 Pr 1:9 3:21 6:20-23 Pr 7:23 Song 8:6 Isa 49:16 Jer 22:24 Mt 23:5 may be in your mouth - De 30:14 Jos 1:8 Isa 59:21 Ro 10:8 powerful hand - Ex 13:3 Ex 6:1-30 Jos 1:9 Ne 1:10 Ps 89:13 Isa 27:1 Isa 40:10 Isa 51:9 Joel 2:11 Rev 18:8 Exodus 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Phylactery on Forehead SIGNS AND REMINDERS OF GOD'S REDEMPTION And it shall serve as a sign to you on your hand And as a reminder on your forehead - Literally "between your eyes." NIV = "This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the law of the LORD is to be on your lips." NLT = "This annual festival will be a visible sign to you, like a mark branded on your hand or your forehead." So both of these renderings suggest keeping of the Passover/Unleavened Bread feast was LIKE a sign but was not a LITERAL sign, which is what the Jews made it become. And so we read of the Tefillin or Phylactery which are bound around the arm or the forehead. The phrase and as a reminder on your forehead is more literally "and for a memorial between thine eyes." (YLT). We see a similar thought in Joshua 4:6 where the memorial stones (context = Josh 4:7-10) were to be signs = “Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ Sign (0226)('oth) means a sign in the sense of a memorial (cf , Nu 17:3, Aaron's rod = Nu 17:25). Signs on hands (Ex 13:9, Ex 13:16; Dt 6:8, Dt 11:18) All uses of 'oth in Exodus - Ex 3:12; Ex 4:8; Ex 4:9; Ex 4:17; Ex 4:28; Ex 4:30; Ex 7:3; Ex 8:23; Ex 10:1; Ex 10:2; Ex 12:13; Ex 13:9; Ex 13:16; Ex 31:13; Ex 31:17 Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on a sign to you on your hand - This expression, says Michaelis, alludes to the custom of the Orientals, of burning in their right hand all kinds of marks with the ashes of henna, which gives an indelible colour; and this is done even to this day. They were likewise accustomed to write all kinds of sayings, and frequently superstitious words, on slips or pieces of linen, which they wore as ornaments on their foreheads. In favor of this passage not being taken to literally strap a reminder on his forehead we read a similar instruction in Pr 3:3 "Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart." While one might devise a necklace with a case to contain Scriptures, far better is to write them on one's heart, which in my opinion speaks of memorizing the Word! Are you writing God's Word on your heart? Nothing will be more beneficial in your life than undertaking this too often neglected spiritual discipline (see Memorizing His Word, Memory Verses by Topic) We see a similar picture in Pr 6:20-23 again placing emphasis on one's HEART, the internal life which takes precedence over the external life and indeed it energizes and empowers (as enabled by the Spirit) one's external life! God is always far more interested in our hearts than what we wear on our forehead or forearm! (cf Pr 4:23+). My son, observe the commandment of your father, And do not forsake the teaching of your mother; 21 Bind them continually on your heart; Tie them around your neck. (ED: WE DO NOT SEE ANY JEWS DOING THIS LITERALLY -- AS FAR AS I AM AWARE). 22 When you walk about, they will guide you; When you sleep, they will watch over you; And when you awake, they will talk to you. 23For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; And reproofs for discipline are the way of life