Daily Devotions
Exodus
"Sing to the LORD, for He has done excellent things; this is known in all the earth." Isaiah 12:5
Text: Exodus 13 : 13
UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF CONSECRATION OF THE FIRSTBORN
The doctrine of consecration of the firstborn is most interesting. This might have been startling to some. Not everyone would have the faith to consecrate their firstborn to the Lord! Nevertheless the Lord made a claim on the lives of the firstborn! Had they not been spared especially? They too could have died except for the Lord’s provision for their safekeeping!
THE CONCEPT OF THE REDEMPTION OF THE FIRSTBORN
Did the children of Israel struggle with this new doctrine that Moses taught? Possibly! Were there other ways of understanding this new doctrine? The concept of the redemption was given further elaboration.
“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.”
EXODUS 13:13
1. Insistence of God’s rightful claim of the firstborn
There may have been some who found difficulty in understanding what the Lord really wanted when He asked that the firstborn be consecrated to Him! What did He really want? Nevertheless, the claim of the Lord over the firstborn remained!