Taking Redemption of the Firstborn Seriously

Taking Redemption of the Firstborn Seriously

Exodus 13: ¹¹ “And it shall be, when the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as He swore to you and your fathers, and gives it to you, ¹² that you shall set apart to the Lord all that open the womb, that is, every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have; the males shall be the Lord’s. ¹³ But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. And all the firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem. ¹⁴ So it shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ that you shall say to him, ‘By strength of hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. ¹⁵ And it came to pass, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that the Lord killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of beast. Therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all males that open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’ ¹⁶ It shall be as a sign on your hand and as frontlets between your eyes, for by strength of hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt.”

 

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Moses continues speaking to the people in preparation to leave Egypt. He reiterates what GOD told him about the firstborn male. But this time he mentions redemption.

 

My Observations:

• Moses tells a group of slave-minded people that they are to remember how GOD was restoring them.
• Moses attempted to tell slave-minded people about Pharaoh’s stubbornness.
• Moses spoke figuratively about the sacrifice of the firstborn being a sign to be worn on their hands and on their foreheads.

 

GOD’s firstborn is JESUS. HIS sacrifice redeemed all of mankind who believe in HIM. This was the announcement of restoration for mankind. Unfortunately, the Pharisees would take the act of wearing scriptures on their arms and foreheads as a sign of how holy they were. They may have screamed, “Hey, look at how holy I am” by wearing the law as they judged the people harshly.

 

Satan and the beast also will twist what Moses said. In Revelation, they force people to wear the mark of the beast on their hand and forehead, marking humans as theirs. GOD sees through the false acts of holiness and the attempts to steal humans away from HIM. Redemption means everything to GOD. HE wants to restore HIS humans to live in harmony with them. GOD’s redemption must be remembered not only in ceremony, but in truth and spirit.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses that he emphasized redemption annually?
• Are you looking to feel restored when GOD told you that you are restored?
• Who have you told about your being restored by GOD?

A Feast to Remember (Feast of Unleavened Bread)

A Feast to Remember (Feast of Unleavened Bread)

Exodus 13: ³ And Moses said to the people: “Remember this day in which you went out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out of this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten. ⁴ On this day you are going out, in the month Abib. ⁵ And it shall be, when the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, which He swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall keep this service in this month. ⁶ Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the Lord. ⁷ Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days. And no leavened bread shall be seen among you, nor shall leaven be seen among you in all your quarters. ⁸ And you shall tell your son in that day, saying, ‘This is done because of what the Lord did for me when I came up from Egypt.’ ⁹ It shall be as a sign to you on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the Lord’s law may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand the Lord has brought you out of Egypt. ¹⁰ You shall therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year.

 

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After speaking to GOD, Moses spoke to the people. “Remember this day” was his statement as they were preparing to exit Egypt. Moses reiterated GOD’s promise and provided instructions to stay away from leaven for a week annually. On the seventh day there shall be a feast to the LORD.

 

My Observations:

• Humans forget GOD easily.
• GOD’s deliverance requires remembrance.
• GOD keeps HIS promises, no matter how different our expectations of HIM really are.

 

Imagine listening to Moses speak as everyone was packed up and chased out of Egypt. This speech would fill up even the most discouraged person. Moses had no idea how long it would take to get in the promised land. He was simply being obedient.

 

The Feast of Unleavened Bread was supposed to happen annually. I am sure the first year was exciting. But what about the second? How about the nineteenth? What about the thirty ninth celebration without being in the promised land? GOD kept HIS promise while dealing with mindsets.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about what Moses said to the people about the Feast of Unleavened Bread?
• Has GOD promised you something that has not come to fruition?
• Does your expectation of GOD need to be reset because HIS promise for you has not happened yet?

Firstborn Recognition of Adam’s Seed

Firstborn Recognition of Adam’s Seed

Exodus 13:¹ Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ² “Consecrate to Me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast; it is Mine.”

 

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GOD spoke to Moses telling him to “consecrate” the firstborn. To consecrate means to officially make something holy or to dedicate it entirely to a sacred purpose. Whether it was an animal or male, the firstborn was supposed to be dedicated to GOD.

 

My Observations:

• Adam’s seed passes down the curse of GOD, therefore no human is worthy of opening up the scrolls mentioned in Revelation.
• GOD is setting up a ceremonial redemption by having the firstborn males remember they need GOD.
• As a reminder of the curse, GOD told Moses to have every family set aside the firstborn male, making him surrender to following HIM.

 

Women are off the hook when it came to the consecration of the firstborn. When Adam refused to follow GOD’s statement of not eating from the Tree of Knowledge, GOD placed a curse on his seed. BUT GOD also made a way to redeem humans.

 

JESUS volunteered to become the human who would be perfect. Instead of the seed coming from a man, an immaculate conception would be needed. Meanwhile, the men had to symbolically recognize the need for redemption. All firstborn males would need to point to the first human, namely Adam. GOD would not be forgotten.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS conversation concerning the firstborn males?
• How often do you ponder the need for GOD’s salvation?
• Are you willing to throw away belief and remembrance of JESUS for any limiting belief that opposes HIM?

Commitment

Commitment

Exodus 12: ⁴³ And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the ordinance of the Passover: No foreigner shall eat it. ⁴⁴ But every man’s servant who is bought for money, when you have circumcised him, then he may eat it. ⁴⁵ A sojourner and a hired servant shall not eat it. ⁴⁶ In one house it shall be eaten; you shall not carry any of the flesh outside the house, nor shall you break one of its bones. ⁴⁷ All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. ⁴⁸ And when a stranger dwells with you and wants to keep the Passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as a native of the land. For no uncircumcised person shall eat it. ⁴⁹ One law shall be for the native-born and for the stranger who dwells among you.”

 

⁵⁰ Thus all the children of Israel did; as the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did. ⁵¹ And it came to pass, on that very same day, that the Lord brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt according to their armies.

 

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GOD prophesied that JESUS would become the sacrificial lamb during the Passover. Now HE gives the commitment level for HIS people to follow.

 

My Observations:

• GOD first told Abraham to become circumcised.
• Circumcision was important to GOD, so HE made sure it was clear that HE wanted this for HIS people.
• GOD was separating HIS people from everyone else.

 

If anyone challenged GOD’s statement with “But what if” statements, GOD provided an answer that was clear. “But what if a stranger comes?” or “Should I force my employee to eat the Passover?” Many other questions could arise about the Passover feast, BUT GOD gave clear instruction about who should eat the meal.

 

Just like telling Moses to remove his sandals as he stood on Holy ground, GOD again, mentions circumcision as a sacred act HE desired for HIS people. Before the children of Israel could leave, GOD needed a commitment, namely circumcision of all males who were HIS followers They obeyed.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the need for circumcision to eat the Passover meal?
• Have you ever asked GOD for stuff but never considered what commitment HE wants from you?
• What are you doing to show GOD that you are committed to HIS cause?

Freed From Complacency

 Freed From Complacency

Exodus 12: ⁴⁰ Now the sojourn of the children of Israel who lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. ⁴¹ And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years—on that very same day—it came to pass that all the armies of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. ⁴² It is a night of solemn observance to the Lord for bringing them out of the land of Egypt. This is that night of the Lord, a solemn observance for all the children of Israel throughout their generations.

 

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Joseph wanted to see his family do well, even though they plotted evil against him. Joseph was placed over all of Egypt during the severe famine caused by GOD. Joseph gave his father Israel, and his brothers, the land of Goshen. Thing seem to go well while Joseph was alive. But joseph died and new Pharaoh’s rose up. The children of Israel were treated worse than ever before. They cried out to GOD and HE tore down the mindsets of the Egyptians. They left on the same day they moved into Egypt.

 

My Observations:

• GOD used the same day the Israelites moved into Egypt to move them out.
• GOD watched the complacency of the Israelites and forced them out of a place that was harmful to them.
• GOD was watching over the people, but was keeping HIS promise to protect humans so JESUS could be born to save the world.

 

We all want heaven on earth. This means no conflict, no problems and a peaceful existence until we die. BUT GOD knew there would be people who wanted to rob, steal and kill others of their peace.

 

The Israelites just wanted peace, but it came with a price. Joseph believed in following GOD with all his heart. But his brothers would follow the easiest route to worldly success. This mindset was passed down for generations. Eventually, the children of Israel were complacent in being slaves. They even complained when Moses upset their slave processes by confronting Pharaoh. When they lost their straw to make bricks, they turned on Moses.

 

But some time later, GOD destroyed Egypt one plague at a time. HE set them free. The children of Israel stayed in captivity for four hundred thirty years. They say a frog will sit in a pot of water if you turn the heat up slowly. It won’t move and get boiled to death. The children of Israel gave a lesson for you and me. GOD does not want us to become complacent with where we are.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the time and day of the Exodus of the children of Israel?
• Have you become complacent by seeking a meager peaceful existence when GOD wants you to exit to serve HIM in the wilderness?
• Has complacency blinded you to the once powerful view you used to have in GOD?

Response to Death of Firstborn – Surrender (Part 2)

Response to Death of Firstborn – Surrender (Part 2)

Exodus 12: ³⁷ Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. ³⁸ A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds—a great deal of livestock. ³⁹ And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they had brought out of Egypt; for it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared provisions for themselves.

 

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The children of Israel barely had tome to prepare. They made unleavened bread as instructed because right after the plague of the death of the firstborn, all the Egyptians told them to leave.

 

My Observations:

• GOD orchestrated the hasty exit out of Egypt.
• The children of Israel wanted to leave but were not prepared to do so.
• Some Egyptians left with the children of Israel.

 

With no slaves, dead bodies, dead livestock and burned fields, some of the Egyptians gave up their citizenship to become servants of the children of Israel. They became part of the “mixed multitude” that left Egypt.

 

GOD mentions the lack of leaven again, which shows they purely needed to trust in GOD without limiting beliefs. There was no time to think. There was no political vote or an Egyptian priest guiding their thoughts. They had to leave right then and there. They were literally running out of Egypt with the Egyptian silver, gold, clothes and the livestock that was stolen from them. Pharaoh surrendered. GOD freed the children of Israel.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the hasty exit out of Egypt?
• Have you surrendered your life to move to GOD’s winning side?
• Is GOD setting you up for a successful, yet hasty move into your next phase of HIS plan?

Response to Death of Firstborn – Surrender (Part 1)

Response to Death of Firstborn – Surrender (Part 1)

Exodus 12: ³¹ Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the Lord as you have said. ³² Also take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also.”

³³ And the Egyptians urged the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste. For they said, “We shall all be dead.” ³⁴ So the people took their dough before it was leavened, having their kneading bowls bound up in their clothes on their shoulders. ³⁵ Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing. ³⁶ And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.

 

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Unfortunately for the Egyptians, the worst happened. Death of the firstborn came, just as GOD said. Pharaoh responded by calling for Moses and Aaron by night. He told them to leave and take the flocks and herds with them. All of Pharaoh’s servants urged them as well. The children of Israel left in haste, but they were prepared.

 

My Observations:

• Pharaoh finally surrendered after many people died.
• GOD’s prophecy of the children of Israel plundering Egypt came true.
• The children of Israel left in haste just as GOD prophesied.

 

“Bless me also,” were the words of a broken Pharaoh. Pride could no longer be the focus because death was on everyone’s mind. Frightened that it would happen to them, the Egyptians urged the people to leave, whether Pharaoh agreed or not.

 

Pharaoh’s response was too late. A lot of people could have been spared, but pride got in the way. GOD dismantled the mindset that humans could e gods. Egypt was broken, beat up and devastated. No group would look at them as the mighty nation that broke the wills of humans. They lost all of their stuff, just as GOD said.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about Pharaoh’s response to the death of the firstborn?
• Has GOD prepared you for a successful exit on the way to your promised land?
• Are you sitting and waiting on the LORD or are you preparing and believing in HIS return?