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Daily Devotions

Exodus

Exodus 
Day 
Day 100

"Sing to the LORD, for He has done excellent things; this is known in all the earth." Isaiah 12:5

Text: Exodus 13 : 13

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF CONSECRATION OF THE FIRSTBORN

The doctrine of consecration of the firstborn is most interesting. This might have been startling to some. Not everyone would have the faith to consecrate their firstborn to the Lord! Nevertheless the Lord made a claim on the lives of the firstborn! Had they not been spared especially? They too could have died except for the Lord’s provision for their safekeeping!

THE CONCEPT OF THE REDEMPTION OF THE FIRSTBORN

Did the children of Israel struggle with this new doctrine that Moses taught? Possibly! Were there other ways of understanding this new doctrine? The concept of the redemption was given further elaboration.

“But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb;
and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck.
And all the firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem.”
EXODUS 13:13

1. Insistence of God’s rightful claim of the firstborn

There may have been some who found difficulty in understanding what the Lord really wanted when He asked that the firstborn be consecrated to Him! What did He really want? Nevertheless, the claim of the Lord over the firstborn remained!

2. Provision for Redemption

a) The role of the Donkey
A donkey was an important animal in those days. It aided its master in carrying goods! Whether commercially or domestically, the donkey played a vital role. To give the firstborn donkey to the Lord would require some faith!
b) A lamb for a donkey
If a man really is hard pressed in life and he needs his donkey for his livelihood, he would be sorely stretched! In God’s mercies, He provided the concept of redemption for the firstborn donkey. A lamb may be used as a substitute! There was no more excuse not to consecrate the firstborn animal to the Lord!
c) Redemption of firstborn sons
There was also provision for redemption of the firstborn of man. This would be explained in greater detail later on. (Cf.Numbers 3 gives some vital details. The tribe of Levi would take the place of the firstborn. They would be consecrated to serve the Lord! The redemption of the firstborn male also involved the giving of a special token monetary gift in support of the Lord’s work)!