Exodus 13:1-16
The feast of unleavened bread and consecration of the first-born are both related to entrance into the Promised Land (verses 5 and 11). They both also look back to what God has already done, in answer to anticipated questions from the young. Great faith is anchored in past experience of the Lord and in certainty of future fulfillment. Each present experience in which we know the Lord’s presence becomes in some way a new expression of of what God has done in the past, and points also to what he will yet do. Roots in the past and hope for the future give us our sense of place in the present. Ironically, those who try to live only for the moment miss it all. In faith, we have the security to live more fully in the moment, and not just for it.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you that, as the hymn says, “’tis grace that brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.” Through Christ. Amen.
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Reflections from Bible readings and discussion on anything.
2 comments:
what did/does it mean, to consecrate the first-born male, that they belong to god?
how were the first-born males set apart from the subsequent males? and why just the males?
The first-born is set apart for sacrifice as belonging to the Lord. There may, however, be a substitute, with an animal being substituted for the human first-born, who is 'redeemed.'
As for why just males; I reckon this is just a reflection of the culture.
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