Matthew Henry Commentary Exodus 13
Matthew Henry Commentary
Exodus 13
Matthew Henry Commentary
Exodus 13
"And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, Sanctify unto me all the first-born, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine. And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand Jehovah brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten. This day ye go forth in the month Abib. And it shall be, when Jehovah shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite, which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to Jehovah. Unleavened bread shall be eaten throughout the seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee, in all thy borders. And thou shalt tell thy son in that day, saying, It is because of that which Jehovah did for me when I came forth out of Egypt. And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thy hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the law of Jehovah may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath Jehovah brought thee out of Egypt. Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year." — Exodus 13:1-10 (ASV)
In remembrance of the destruction of the first-born of Egypt, both of man and 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, it was set before them that their lives were preserved through the ransom of the atonement, which in due time was to be made for sin. They were also to consider their lives, thus ransomed from death, as now to be consecrated to the service of God.
Parents were not to consider themselves as having any right to their first-born until they solemnly presented them to God and acknowledged His claim to them. What is spared to us by special mercy should be applied to God's honor; at least, some grateful acknowledgment, in works of piety and charity, should be made. The remembrance of their coming out of Egypt was to be observed every year.
The day of Christ's resurrection is to be remembered, for on that day we were raised up with Christ from death's house of bondage. Scripture does not tell us expressly on what day of the year Christ rose, but it does state particularly on which day of the week it was; as it is the more valuable deliverance, it should be remembered weekly. The Israelites were to keep the feast of unleavened bread. Under the gospel, we must not only remember Christ but also observe His holy supper.
Do this in remembrance of Him. Also, care must be taken to teach children the knowledge of God. This is an old law for catechizing. It is of great use to acquaint children early with the histories of the Bible. And those who have God's law in their heart should have it in their mouth, and often speak of it, to affect themselves and to teach others.
"And it shall be, when Jehovah shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanite, as he sware unto thee and to thy fathers, and shall give it thee, that thou shalt set apart unto Jehovah all that openeth the womb, and every firstling which thou hast that cometh of a beast; the males shall be Jehovah`s. And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break its neck: and all the first-born of man among thy sons shalt thou redeem. And it shall be, when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand Jehovah brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage: and it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that Jehovah slew all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both the first-born of man, and the first-born of beast: therefore I sacrifice to Jehovah all that openeth the womb, being males; but all the first-born of my sons I redeem. And it shall be for a sign upon thy hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand Jehovah brought us forth out of Egypt." — Exodus 13:11-16 (ASV)
The firstlings of animals not used in sacrifice were to be exchanged for others used for that purpose, 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.
"And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: but God led the people about, by the way of the wilderness by the Red Sea: and the children of Israel went up armed out of the land of Egypt. And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you. And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness." — Exodus 13:17-20 (ASV)
There were two ways from Egypt to Canaan. One was only a few days' journey; the other was much farther around, through the wilderness, and that was the way in which God chose to lead his people Israel. The Egyptians were to be drowned in the Red Sea; the Israelites were to be humbled and tested in the wilderness.
God's way is the right way, though it seems roundabout. If we think he does not lead his people the nearest way, yet we can be sure he leads them the best way, and it will become clear when we come to our journey's end. The Philistines were powerful enemies; it was necessary that the Israelites should be prepared for the wars of Canaan by passing through the difficulties of the wilderness.
Thus God proportions his people's trials to their strength, 1 Corinthians 10:13. They went up in good order: some say in ranks of five; others, in five companies. This detail seems to relate more to their faith and hope that God would bring them to Canaan, in expectation of which they carried these bones with them through the desert.
"And Jehovah went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them the way, and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light, that they might go by day and by night: the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, departed not from before the people." — Exodus 13:21-22 (ASV)
The Lord went before them in a pillar, or appearance of the Divine Majesty. Christ was with the church in the wilderness, 1 Corinthians 10:9. Those whom God brings into a wilderness, he will not leave nor lose there, but will take care to lead them through it. It was a great satisfaction to Moses and the pious Israelites to be sure that they were under Divine guidance. Those who make the glory of God their end, and the word of God their rule, the Spirit of God the guide of their affections, and the providence of God the guide of their affairs, may be sure that the Lord goes before them, though they cannot see it with their eyes: we must now live by faith.
When Israel marched, this pillar went before, and pointed out the place of encampment, as Divine Wisdom saw fit. It sheltered by day from the heat and gave light by night. The Bible is a light to our feet, a lantern to our paths, with which the Saviour's love has provided us. It testifies of Christ. It is to us like the pillar to the Israelites.
Listen to that voice which cries, I am the Light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of life (John 8:12). Jesus Christ alone, as shown in the Bible, and as the Holy Spirit, in answer to prayer, recommends him to the soul, is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).
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