131 Then the Lord spoke to Moses , saying , 2 " Sanctify to Me every firstborn , the first offspring of every womb among the sons of Israel , both of man and beast ; it belongs to Me." 3 Moses said to the people , " Remember this day in which you went out from Egypt , from the house of slavery ; for by a powerful hand the Lord brought you out from this place. And nothing leavened shall be eaten . 4 "On this day in the month of Abib , you are about to go forth . 5 "It shall be when the Lord brings you to the land of the Canaanite , the Hittite , the Amorite , the Hivite and the Jebusite , which He swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey , that you shall observe this rite in this month . 6 "For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread , and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the Lord . 7 "Unleavened bread shall be eaten throughout the seven days ; and nothing leavened shall be seen among you, nor shall any leaven be seen among you in all your borders . 8 " You shall tell your son on that day , saying , 'It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt .' 9 "And it shall serve as a sign to you on your hand , and as a reminder on your forehead e , that the law of the Lord may be in your mouth ; for with a powerful hand the Lord brought you out of Egypt . 10 "Therefore, you shall keep this ordinance at its appointed time from year to year .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 13:1-10
Commentary on Exodus 13:1-10
(Read Exodus 13:1-10)
In remembrance of the destruction of the first-born of Egypt, both of man and of beast, and the deliverance of the Israelites out of bondage, the first-born males of the Israelites were set apart to the Lord. By this was set before them, that their lives were preserved through the ransom of the atonement, which in due time was to be made for sin. They were also to consider their lives, thus ransomed from death, as now to be consecrated to the service of God. The parents were not to look upon themselves as having any right in their first-born, till they solemnly presented them to God, and allowed his title to them. That which is, by special mercy, spared to us, should be applied to God's honour; at least, some grateful acknowledgment, in works of piety and charity, should be made. The remembrance of their coming out of Egypt must be kept up every year. The day of Christ's resurrection is to be remembered, for in it we were raised up with Christ out of death's house of bondage. The Scripture tells us not expressly what day of the year Christ rose, but it states particularly what day of the week it was; as the more valuable deliverance, it should be remembered weekly. The Israelites must keep the feast of unleavened bread. Under the gospel, we must not only remember Christ, but observe his holy supper. Do this in remembrance of him. Also care must be taken to teach children the knowledge of God. Here is an old law for catechising. It is of great use to acquaint children betimes with the histories of the Bible. And those who have God's law in their heart should have it in their mouth, and often speak of it, to affect themselves, and to teach others.