출애굽기 Chapter 13

Translation: ESV

2

Consecrate to me all the firstborn. Whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast, is mine.

Key Message

A saved life belongs to the Savior; the life God preserved must be given to God—this principle is contained in the firstborn dedication.

▸In contrast to all the Egyptian firstborn who died, every firstborn of Israel is set apart as holy, belonging to God.

In contrast to all the Egyptian firstborn who died, every firstborn of Israel is set apart as holy, belonging to God. The theological principle is that one who is saved belongs to the Savior. The declaration 'the firstborn is mine' confirms that God is Lord of Israel's life. Later the tribe of Levi is appointed to serve God in place of the firstborn (Num. 3:12-13).

Related Verses

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
8

You shall tell your son on that day, 'It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.'

Key Message

Faith education becomes living faith when historical events are present-ized as personal experience; this present-ized memory forms faith identity.

▸Note the first-person pronoun 'for me' in 'what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.

17

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, 'Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.'

Key Message

God's guidance is not the quickest road but the road we can endure; it is God's wise providence that considers our spiritual maturity.

▸God leads Israel not by the quickest road but by the safest road.

21

And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.

Key Message

God accompanies His people without rest 24 hours a day, guiding and protecting in all circumstances of day and night.

▸The pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire are the most intense visual expression of God's presence and guidance.