12 that thou hast caused every one opening a womb to pass over to Jehovah, and every firstling—the increase of beasts which thou hast: the males 'are' Jehovah's. 13 'And every firstling of an ass thou dost ransom with a lamb, and if thou dost not ransom 'it', then thou hast beheaded it: and every first-born of man among thy sons thou dost ransom. 14 'And it hath been, when thy son asketh thee hereafter, saying, What 'is' this? that thou hast said unto him, By strength of hand hath Jehovah brought us out from Egypt, from a house of servants; 15 yea, it cometh to pass, when Pharaoh hath been pained to send us away, that Jehovah doth slay every first-born in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of man even unto the first-born of beast; therefore I am sacrificing to Jehovah all opening a womb who 'are' males, and every first-born of my sons I ransom;
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 13:12-15
Commentary on Exodus 13:11-16
(Read Exodus 13:11-16)
The firstlings of beast not used in sacrifice, were to be changed for others so used, or they were to be destroyed. Our souls are forfeited to God's justice, and unless ransomed by the sacrifice of Christ, will certainly perish. These institutions would continually remind them of their duty, to love and serve the Lord. In like manner, baptism and the Lord's supper, if explained and attended to, would remind us, and give us occasion to remind one another of our profession and duty.