Exodus 13

V 1–2: CONSECRATED God tells Moses that every firstborn of man and animal is His and should be consecrated to Him. V 3–10: COMMEMORATED Israel’s deliverance from Egypt is to be commemorated annually by the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Unleavened bread is to be eaten for seven days. Children are to be told the significance of this to remember God who delivered Israel from Egypt. V 11–16: CANAAN When Israel arrives in the land of Canaan, all the firstborn male animals are to be given to the Lord in sacrifice, apart from the firstborn of the donkeys, which will not be offered, but be redeemed with a lamb. Similarly, every firstborn boy will be redeemed by sacrifice. V 17–18: COWARDLINESS The people’s cowardliness would make them shrink from conflict with enemies en route to the promised land. God therefore plans their long detour through the wilderness to avoid the conflict and temptations which their cowardliness would cause. V 19: CARRYING Moses meets the obligation that Joseph put upon the Israelites to carry his bones with them. They, too, will ultimately reach the promised land. V 20–22: CARE God’s care for His people is shown in that He leads them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. Thus they are always assured of His presence, protection and guidance.