Daily Devotions
Exodus
"Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid..." Isaiah 12:2
Text: Exodus 13 : 11-12
A PECULIAR STYLE OF WRITING
It is interesting to note how Moses wrote. What is most obvious is that he keeps returning to an idea he introduced. He took this approach in dealing with:-
1. The Feast of the Passover (Exodus 12-13)
2. The Feast of the Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12-13)
3. The Consecration of the Firstborn (Exodus 13)
APPRECIATION OF THIS STYLE OF WRITING
The modern day reader may wish that Moses would just write all he wants on that
one subject before moving on, instead of going back to the subject time and again. How may we appreciate this style of writing?
1. It is a personal style of writing
We cannot fault a person for adopting a particular style of writing! But if we appreciate the reasons why he adopted this way of writing, we would be less miffed!
2. Possible reasons for his style of writing
Moses must have had his reasons for writing the way he did. The following reasons may be suggested:-
a) It reflects his on-going acquisition of knowledge.
b) It reflects possible interaction with people.
c) It reflects an attempt to emphasize certain truths.
d) It reflects the way in which God revealed things to Moses.
FURTHER THOUGHTS ABOUT THE CONSECRATION OF THE FIRSTBORN
Moses first introduced this concept to the children of Israel (Exodus 13:1). There was not much elaboration then. He saw the need to explain further and thus he added more thoughts for the children of Israel to consider. The focus of this word was on the animals! The firstborn male offspring also belonged to the Lord. They must be “set apart” or “consecrated” to the Lord! God’s claim extended to material things like animals!
“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, 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.”
EXODUS 13:11-12