The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 13:1-16

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The Dedication and Redemption of the First-born.

In commemoration of the great mercy whereby their first-born sons were spared, when all those of the Egyptians were slain, God required the Israelites to do two things:—

I. THAT CHRISTIAN PARENTS ARE REQUIRED TO DEDICATE, NOT THEIR FIRST-BORN SONS ONLY, BUT ALL THEIR CHILDREN, TO GOD IN BAPTISM. All have deserved death. All have been in danger of it. All have been spared by the mercy of God, on account of the atoning blood of Christ. All therefore are to be dedicated by their parents to God's service—brought to the font, and presented to him to be his faithful soldiers and servants until their life's end. All are to receive a species of consecration, whereby they become "priests to God" (Revelation 1:6), and may have boldness to approach him without the intervention of a human mediator. But all are not to be ministers. The ministry is for such as have a special call, which cannot be known in infancy, or indeed until persons are well advanced towards manhood.

II. THAT CHRISTIAN PARENTS HAVE, AFTER DEDICATING THEM, TO TAKE THEIR CHILDREN BACK, AS IT WERE, TO SECULAR LIFE. Hannah gave her son up to God from the time that she weaned him, took him to the Temple, and left him with the priests. Christians cannot do this. Though some of their sons may ultimately have a call to the ministry, this will not be the case with all, and they must act as if it would not be the case with any. They must take their children back to their houses, give them a secular education, and prepare them in most instances for secular life. But they have not to buy them back. This arises from the difference between the two dedications, the one having been a dedication to the ministry and the other not. Christians do not need to retract the dedication of their children by any subsequent act. They may and should maintain it. Laymen may lead lives as truly sanctified as clergymen. They may serve God as well, though in a different way. They may be, and should be "holy to the Lord." Who would not desire his children to be such?

More for Exodus 13:1-16

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Matthew Henry on Exodus 13:1-10Exodus 13:1-10 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryIn 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 wa…The Sanctification of the Firstborn. (b. c. 1491.)Exodus 13:1-10 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleTHE SANCTIFICATION OF THE FIRSTBORN. (B. C. 1491.) Care is here taken to perpetuate the remembrance, I. Of the preservation of Israel's firstborn, when the firstborn of the Egyptians were slain. In memory of that distin…The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 13:1-16Exodus 13:1-16 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION SANCTIFICATION OF THE FIRSTBORN. In connection with the deliverance from death of the Israelite first-born by the blood of the lamb, and still further to fix the remembrance of the historical facts in the min…The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 13:1Exodus 13:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryOn the true grammatical nexus of this verse, see note on Exodus 12:51. The injunctions of Exodus 12:2, and probably those of 3-15—were given to Moses on the very day of the setting-forth, most likely, at Succoth in the…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Exodus 13:1-10In 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 wa…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Sanctification of the Firstborn. (b. c. 1491.)THE SANCTIFICATION OF THE FIRSTBORN. (B. C. 1491.) Care is here taken to perpetuate the remembrance, I. Of the preservation of Israel's firstborn, when the firstborn of the Egyptians were slain. In memory of that distin…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 13:1-16EXPOSITION SANCTIFICATION OF THE FIRSTBORN. In connection with the deliverance from death of the Israelite first-born by the blood of the lamb, and still further to fix the remembrance of the historical facts in the min…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 13:1On the true grammatical nexus of this verse, see note on Exodus 12:51. The injunctions of Exodus 12:2, and probably those of 3-15—were given to Moses on the very day of the setting-forth, most likely, at Succoth in the…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 13:2Sanctify unto me. Not by any positive ceremony, but by regarding it as "set apart unto the Lord" (Exodus 13:12)—made over to him, that is, as his own. All the first-born. The Hebrew word used is masculine, and by its pr…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 13:3And Moses said. Without relating the directions given to Moses any further, the author passes to the directions given by him. He thus, here and elsewhere, avoids unnecessary repetition. Remember this day. The injunction…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 13:3-16How to declare God's salvation. I. BY THE REMEMBRANCE OF HIS MERCIES. 1. "Remember this day in which ye came out from Egypt." 2. The celebration of the Passover awoke inquiry among those who had not witnessed God's deed…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 13:3-11Remember this day. The exhortation in these verses may very well be applied to Christians. They are to remember the fact add the might of their redemption. They are to commemorate it by observance of appointed ordinance…Joseph S. Exell and contributors