Exodus 13

Exodus 13:2

The Lord’s preservation of the Hebrews’ first-born, when he destroyed those of the Egyptians, gave him a peculiar right to them. Ver. 9, 16. Their exact observation of these feasts, and the dedication of their firstlings, together with the repeated explication of the meaning thereof to their children, would make their deliverance from Egypt as fresh and evident to them and their seed as a thing hung or written on their foreheads

Exodus 13:13

Unclean firstlings were either to be redeemed, or else killed, that they might not be put to any other use than for the Lord

Exodus 13:17

The Philistines, who had originated from Lower Egypt; Gen. x. 13, 14, and dwelt in the south-west corner of Canaan, were a numerous, valiant, and fierce nation, whom the Hebrews, unarmed, and quite dispirited by their long bondage, durst not have encountered

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XIII.—Never forget, O my soul, the great things which God has done for his church, or for thyself, in his common or special providence! Let me carefully observe every mean of keeping them fresh on my mind; and let me teach them diligently unto my children, that they may hear and fear the Lord for their good. What the Lord marvellously brings to me, preserves for me, let me cheerfully surrender to his service, at his call. The line of the rescues from imminent danger is doubly obliged to be devoted to his service, and they who truly love God will readily serve him with the best they have. But if troubles and difficulties attend my path, conscious of my weakness and foile, let me trust in him who proportions his people’s trials to their strength, and lay up to him for direction in all my ways. In this pillar of cloud and fire I discover God’s special care and protection of his people. Even, while clouds and darkness are round about him, justice and judgment are the habitation of his throne, mercy and truth go before his face. Do I not behold Jesus likewise given to an ever-attending light and leader, as well as protector and glory, to his people, this wilderness-world? Let me always follow his direction and example. I, in due time, arrive safe at the promised Canaan which is above. And, the way in which he leads me be very contrary to the will and wisdom of the people, let me rest assured that it is a right one to the fulfilment of all his glorious mises of grace and glory