SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 – CONSECRATION

READ: Ex. 13:1–16:…Consecrate to Me all the firstborn… you shall set apart to the Lord all that open the womb…

Two matters are addressed here. In verses 3–10, we read about the unleavened bread (see also Ex. 12:14–20). This symbolizes their hasty departure from Egypt. There was no time to let the dough rise. By eating unleavened bread, the people are reminded of how quickly they had to leave—by the strong hand of God (v.3,8,9).

Unleavened bread is thus connected to the work of the Almighty and Holy God. Eating it recalls His great acts on behalf of His people.

All leaven must be removed from the house. A small amount can ferment the whole dough. All attention must be on the LORD—this demands holiness: turning away from evil and being devoted to God and His service.

This applies to us as well. Let us remove all that does not belong in a life with Christ, our Passover Lamb and Redeemer. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 5:6–8:

“Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

The second matter is the consecration of the firstborn. While the firstborn in Egypt were struck down, those of Israel were spared by the blood. They did not deserve this—it was grace. To keep that clearly in mind, God claims them for Himself.

Firstborn animals must be sacrificed to the LORD. But the firstborn sons must be redeemed with money. Even the LORD Jesus had to fulfill this (Luke 2:23). 

What does the consecration of the firstborn mean for us today?

Sing: Ps. 147:6