Study notes

Exodus 13

Introducing ExodusWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

11:1–13:16 Section

In Exodus 4:22–23 God described the people of Israel like his eldest son. He was their Father. Pharaoh treated Israel badly and refused to free the people from slavery. So God warned that Pharaoh’s eldest son would be killed. That happened in the tenth plague.

The eldest son in every Egyptian household was killed. This also happened with the first male animal born to their livestock. This plague brought judgement against Pharaoh. It also showed that the false gods didn’t have the power to save the Egyptians. But the destroying angel from God passed over the Israelite homes. That happened because they put lamb’s blood around the doors.

After that, Pharaoh let the whole Israelite community and their animals leave Egypt. God gave the Israelites instructions about how to remember the tenth plague and the exodus. They were to honour it every year through the Passover Feast. They were to teach their children the story of the tenth plague and the exodus.

They were to give the eldest male child and animal to God. These belonged to God in a special way. The first male animal born to its mother was to be sacrificed. The animal was sacrificed instead of the eldest male child. This helped the Israelites remember how God had saved them from the tenth plague.

13:1–10

This review of the customs for Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread prepares the way for teaching about the dedication of the firstborn (13:11–16).

13:1–16

Like the Passover celebration, the dedication of the firstborn helped the people remember what God did during the Passover. God spared the firstborn sons of Israel. Because of this, those firstborn sons belonged to him and had to be redeemed (bought back with a price).

Each year, the people sacrificed and ate a lamb. This act pointed forward to what God would do by giving his Son, Jesus Christ, as a substitute. All people deserve death because of sin. But God redeems them through a price, the life of his Son.

13:5

a land flowing with milk and honey: This describes a land that is rich and good for farming. There is grass for cattle to eat, and there are many plants and flowers. From these flowers, bees can make honey.

13:9

The annual Passover celebration was a sign to show you belonged to the Lord. It marked his ownership, reinforcing a spiritual truth.
a sign … and a reminder … the Law of the LORD: The second part of the verse can be seen either as a statement to recite or as a description of the God's work.

13:13

Parents had to redeem their firstborn son. They could not sacrifice him to the Lord, as child sacrifice is condemned throughout Scripture (see Leviticus 18:21; 20:2; Ezekiel 23:37–39).

13:16

Like the yearly Passover celebration, dedicating the firstborn to the Lord was a visible sign of belonging to the LORD (13:9).

13:17–18

If the people face war: The Israelites had not yet seen God fight on their behalf. Even though they left Egypt like an army ready for battle (13:18; see also 12:51), it was only an appearance. Until they experienced the Lord as fighting for them (14:14) in the crossing of the sea, they were not ready to face enemies in the promised land.

13:17–14:4

The Lord’s redemptive power was demonstrated as he brought Israel into a place where they were completely helpless and had to either rely on him for rescue or die.

At the time, it might have seemed foolish. But Israel would thank God throughout its history for guiding them to that situation (see Psalm 106:7–12; compare Isaiah 12:2–6).

13:17–15:21 Section

Pharaoh and the rulers of Egypt wanted the Israelites to be their slaves again.

The Israelites were very afraid when they saw the Egyptian army chasing them. They wished that they had never left Egypt. This showed that it was hard for them to live as free people.

God had shown them grace by saving them from slavery. But they still didn’t understand who God was. They didn’t understand that he would keep his covenant with Abraham.

They began to trust in God as he showed himself to be their Saviour.

God protected the Israelites in a pillar of cloud by day. He protected them in a pillar of fire at night. All the Israelites could see these pillars and know that God was with them.

God made it possible for them to safely cross the Red Sea. They saw how God destroyed the Egyptians.

Then with Moses and Miriam they sang and danced to celebrate God’s mighty work.

13:18

around by the way: There is disagreement among scholars about the identification of some of the sites mentioned (13:20; 14:2). So, there is little agreement on the exact route the Israelites took.
Red Sea (literally sea of reeds): The actual Red Sea is too far south. The Sea of Reeds was part of the Red Sea, probably located at the northern end of the Gulf of Suez.