This is part of a video series covering the entire Bible in 4 years, one chapter at a time. Start at the beginning with Genesis 1 (Youtube link: https://youtu.be/wC2qD4RGOdo) and work through the playlist. Or go to https://www.peace.org.au/bible.html for more information.
In this video listen to Exodus 13 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.
In Exodus 13 finally the Exodus is happening. They go out and before properly leaving God talks to them about the dedication of every firstborn. Those who were saved in the plague of the firstborn belong to God.
Later in scripture we are told in Hebrews 12:23 that we are the “church of the firstborn” and so all of us who believes is a firstborn son. This is fascinating in comparison with the genesis stories which always show a non firstborn obtaining an inheritance, but then of course we realise that most of us are not really actually firstborns or male, in a natural sense.
And Christ is the firstborn to rise from the dead, and we are to follow Him.
God then takes the Israelites the longer route on the way to Canaan. He avoids the short quicker route directly though Philistine land. The Philistines were a newly occupying force from Europe (possibly Greece, or Cyprus) and God opts for a longer road. How often as Christians does God take us on the longer road?
Mar 5, 2021 | Message by David Alley