Exodus 13-15, Psalm 21
Exodus 13:11-13 (NLT)
“This is what you must do when the Lord fulfills the promise
he swore to you and to your ancestors. When he gives you the land where the
Canaanites now live, you must present all firstborn sons and firstborn male
animals to the Lord, for they belong to him. A firstborn donkey may be bought
back from the Lord by presenting a lamb or young goat in its place. But if you
do not buy it back, you must break its neck. However, you must buy back every
firstborn son.”
In Exodus 13:11–13, Moses explains to the people how and why
they are to dedicate their firstborn to the Lord. He tells them that their
firstborn belong to Father-God as a reminder of how the Lord delivered them
from slavery in Egypt. Moses also explains what substitutions are permitted
when the firstborn is not suitable for sacrifice. For example, a lamb or young
goat could be substituted for a firstborn donkey, and a firstborn son was to be
redeemed with a payment.
What struck me in these verses is how early in the Old
Testament the Lord begins to reveal His redemptive plan. The lamb used as a
substitute points forward to Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God. Christ would
become the ultimate substitute sacrifice, offered for the redemption of
humanity. The redemption of the firstborn sons also directly recalls the tenth
plague, when the Israelites smeared the blood of a lamb on their doorposts and
were spared from the death of their firstborn. In the same way, Christ’s sacrifice
spares believers from spiritual death and eternal separation from God.
I love how these verses remind me that the Lord has always
had a plan for His people. As believers, we are called to trust Father-God even
when His purposes feel distant or difficult to understand. Scripture
consistently shows us how faithful the Lord is and how He fulfills His promises
in ways that unfold over time. Father-God cares deeply for His people and has a
plan that extends beyond this life and into eternity.
If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place
your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who has a plan to care for His people
throughout eternity—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to
Him in prayer, expressing your trust, your desire to walk with Him, and your
willingness to welcome His presence into your life. God is faithful and ready
to meet you exactly where you are.
Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for
all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart
that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is
my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of
salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made
new in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.
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