Lord slew all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both the first-born of man, and the first-born of beasts: therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the first-born of my children I redeem. 16. And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the Lord brought us forth out of Egypt.
Here we have,
1. Further directions concerning the dedicating of their first-born to God. (1.) The firstlings of their cattle were to be dedicated to God, as part of their possessions. Those of clean beasts, calves, lambs, and kids, if males, were to be sacrificed, Exod. 22. 30. Numb. 18. 17, 18. Those of unclean beasts, as colts, were to be redeemed with a lamb, or knocked on the head. For whatsoever is unclean, (as we all are by nature,) if it be not redeemed, will be destroyed, v. 11..13. (2.) The first-born of their children were to be redeemed, and by no means sacrificed, as the Gentiles sacrificed their children to Moloch. The price of the redemption of the first-born was fixed by the law, (Numb. 18. 16.) five shekels: we were all obnoxious to the wrath and curse of God; by the blood of Christ we are redeemed, that we may be joined to the church of the first-born. They were to redeem their children, as well as the firstlings of the unclean beasts, for our children are by nature polluted; Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?
2. Further directions concerning the catechising of their children, and all those of the rising generation, from time to time in this matter. It is supposed that when they saw all the firstlings thus devoted, they would ask the meaning of it, and their parents and teachers must tell them the meaning of it; (v. 14..16.) that God's special propriety in their first-born, and all their firstlings, was founded in his special preservation of them from the sword of the destroying angel. Being thus delivered, they must serve him. Note, (1.) Children should be directed and encouraged to ask their parents questions concerning the things of God, a practice which would be perhaps of all others the most profitable way of catechising; and parents must furnish themselves with useful knowledge, that they may be ready always to give an answer to their inquiries. If ever the knowledge of God cover the earth, as the waters do the sea, the fountains of family instruction must first be broken up. (2.) We should all be able to show cause for what we do in religion. As sacraments are sanctified by the word, so they must be explained and understood by it. God's service is reasonable, and it is then acceptable, when we perform it intelligently, knowing what we do, and why we do it. (3.) It must be observed, how often it is said in this chapter, that by strength of hand, (v. 3, 14. 16.) and with a strong hand, (v. 9.) the Lord brought them out of Egypt. The more opposition is given to the accomplishment of God's purposes, the more is his power magnified therein. It is a strong hand that conquers hard hearts. Sometimes God is said to work deliverance, not by might or power, (Zech. 4. 6.) not by such visible displays of his power as that recorded here. (4.) Their posterity that should be born in Canaan, are directed to say, The Lord brought us out of Egypt, v. 14, 16. Mercies to our fathers are mercies to us; we reap the benefit of them, and therefore must keep up a grateful remembrance of them. We stand upon the bottom of former deliverances, and were in the loins of our ancestors when they were delivered. Much more reason have we to say, that in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ we were redeemed.
17. And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: 18. But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt. 19. And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him; for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you. 20. And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. 21. And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night. 22. He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.
Here is,
I. The choice God made of their way, v. 17, 18. He was their Guide, Moses gave them direction but as he received it from the Lord. Note, The way of man is not in himself, Jer. 10. 23. He may devise his way, and design it; but, after all, it is God that directs his steps, Prov. 16, 9. Man proposes, but God disposes; and in his disposal we must acquiesce, and set ourselves to follow Providence.
There were two ways from Egypt to Canaan. One was a short cut from the north of Egypt to the south of Canaan, perhaps about four, or five days' journey; the other was much further about, through the wilderness, and that was the way which God chose to lead his people Israel in, v. 18.
1. There were many reasons why God led them through the way of the wilderness of the Red-sea. The Egyptians were to be drowned in the Red-sea, the Israelites were to be humbled and proved in the wilderness, Deut. 8. 2. God had given it to Moses for a sign, (ch. 3. 12.) Ye shall serve God in this mountain. They had again and again told Pharaoh, that they must go three days' journey into the wilderness to do sacrifice, and therefore it was requisite that they should bend their march that way, else they had justly been exclaimed against as notorious dissemblers. Before they entered the lists with their enemies, matters must be settled between them and their God, laws must be given, ordinances instituted, covenants sealed, the original contract ratified, and, for the doing of this, it was necessary that they should retire into the solitudes of a wilderness, the only closet for such a crowd; the high road would be no proper place for these transactions. It is said, (Deut. 32. 10.) He led them about, some hundreds of miles about, and yet, (Ps. 107. 7.) He led them forth by the right way; God's way is the right way, though it seems about. If we think he leads not his people the nearest way, yet we may be 'sure he leads them the best way, and so it will appear when we come to our journey's end. Judge nothing before the time.
