Daily Devotions

Exodus

Exodus 
Day 
Day 97

"The LORD of hosts, Him you shall hallow; Let Him be Your fear, and let Him be Your dread." Isaiah 8:13

Text: Exodus 13 : 1-3

CONSECRATION OF THE FIRSTBORN

The tenth plague that God would unleash on unrepentant Egypt was the death of the firstborn! There was deep significance behind this act! Let us consider some of the implications of this act of God:-

1. It displayed His power over life and death

This would be a supreme display of God’s sovereignty over life! He has the prerogative to allow life to continue. He also has the power to cause life to come to an abrupt end! No one, not even the Pharaoh could deny God this sovereign power of His!

2. It also displayed His prerogative to ask that the firstborn be consecrated to Him

If the firstborn of the Hebrews had been spared, the parents must realize that the lives of their children belong to God in a special manner. In order to teach the children of Israel the deeper significance of the tenth plague, God gave this word to them.

“Then the LORD said to Moses, saying,
‘Consecrate to Me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb
among the children of Israel, both of man and beast; it is Mine.'”
EXODUS 13:1-2

God had spared the lives of the children of Israel, did they not truly belonged to Him? Lovingly, God made a claim on the lives of the firstborn.

REMEMBERING D-DAY

God knew only too well just how easily people would forget even important events! The Passover was one event that He did not want His people to forget – ever!

“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.'”
EXODUS 13:3

1. Remembering the strength of the Lord

The children of Israel must never forget that it was only by showing a strong hand to Pharaoh would he let them leave his land! The people must therefore always hallow the Lord for the might that He possessed! There must be nothing but the highest sense of awe and reverence towards the Lord their God!

2. Remembering the years of bondage

The children of Israel must never forget how they had been in bondage to Pharaoh. They must never forget the lessons learned while in bondage! They had been totally powerless against the ruthless might of Pharaoh, until the Lord personally stepped in and delivered them!