Day 27: Exodus 13-15
Consecration of the Firstborn. The Feast of Unleavened Bread. Pillars of Cloud and Fire. Crossing the Red Sea. The Song of Moses. Bitter Water Made Sweet.
It may seem strange, but I didn't know the definition of the word "consecrate" when I read today's morning devotion. Merriam-Webster defines "consecrate" as to officially make (something, such as a place or building) holy through a special religious ceremony.
A Google search revealed many interpretations of "a strong hand" to mean basically sovereign power or overwhelming might. Both make sense to me in the context of Exodus.
One commentary defined "Abib" to mean a green ear (of corn). So, it made sense that the month of green ears of corn would mark the first month in a year for the purposes of keeping a calendar.
Merriam-Webster defines the word "redeem" in a couple of ways, but the definition that seems to make the most sense is to buy back (something, such as a stock or bond). When God asks Israel to consecrate all the firstborn (Ex 13:2), I think God meant that all the firstborn should be killed in sacrifice to the LORD. It seems that God may be demonstrating mercy by allowing the people of Israel to redeem, or to buy back the lives of the firstborn sacrifices in the case of donkeys (beasts of burden) and humans (God's children).
In the Song of Moses, he calls the LORD a "man of war" (Ex 15:3). I just want to point out that, perhaps this could describe one facet of God, but I think it would be wrong to singularly paint God as a man of war. Even God describes himself in a very different light, as a "healer" to the people of Israel (Ex 15:26).
What is to consecrate?
It may seem strange, but I didn't know the definition of the word "consecrate" when I read today's morning devotion. Merriam-Webster defines "consecrate" as to officially make (something, such as a place or building) holy through a special religious ceremony.
By a strong hand
A Google search revealed many interpretations of "a strong hand" to mean basically sovereign power or overwhelming might. Both make sense to me in the context of Exodus.
The month of Abib
One commentary defined "Abib" to mean a green ear (of corn). So, it made sense that the month of green ears of corn would mark the first month in a year for the purposes of keeping a calendar.
To redeem with a lamb
Merriam-Webster defines the word "redeem" in a couple of ways, but the definition that seems to make the most sense is to buy back (something, such as a stock or bond). When God asks Israel to consecrate all the firstborn (Ex 13:2), I think God meant that all the firstborn should be killed in sacrifice to the LORD. It seems that God may be demonstrating mercy by allowing the people of Israel to redeem, or to buy back the lives of the firstborn sacrifices in the case of donkeys (beasts of burden) and humans (God's children).
Is the LORD a man of war?
In the Song of Moses, he calls the LORD a "man of war" (Ex 15:3). I just want to point out that, perhaps this could describe one facet of God, but I think it would be wrong to singularly paint God as a man of war. Even God describes himself in a very different light, as a "healer" to the people of Israel (Ex 15:26).