What does Exodus 13:1 Mean?

Context Summary

Two Hebrew customs dated from the Exodus-first, the dedication of the first-born to God's service, and second, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. See Luke 22:7. The first-born had been especially redeemed and so were especially God's. On them all was branded the one brief word Mine. What a lesson for us all who have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. We are His by right of purchase; we ought to be His by our own choice and indwelt by His Spirit. Whenever we take up this position with regard to God, we may count on His strong hand. In after years the first-born sons, who performed the priestly rites, were replaced by Levites, Numbers 3:11-13; but still they were ransomed by a slain lamb. Every first-born son lived because a lamb died. In this he stood on the same level as the firstling of an ass. What a parable is here! See Romans 3:22; Romans 10:12. [source]

Chapter Summary: Exodus 13

¹  The firstborn are sanctified to God
³  The memorial of the Passover is commanded
¹¹  The firstborn of man and beast are set apart
¹⁷  The Israelites go out of Egypt, and carry Joseph's bones with them
²⁰  They come to Etham
²¹  God guides them by a pillar of a cloud, and a pillar of fire