Matthew Henry Commentary Exodus 13:1-10

"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.