Monday: Consecration of the Firstborn
Daily Lesson for Monday 4th of August 2025
The promised time of redemption, of deliverance, was about to arrive. The people needed to be prepared. They needed not just to believe but to act on those beliefs. God had told them what they needed to do; by faith, they now needed to do it. Though in a totally different context from what James was writing about, the principle fits very well: “But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:17-20, NKJV).
Read Exodus 13:1-16. The Israelite firstborns were spared by God’s grace during the final plague. Why this perpetual command, and what should it mean to us today?
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God mercifully guarded the Israelite families who were under the blood because, by faith, they had marked their doorframes. These new directions came from the Lord through Moses: “ ‘Consecrate to me every firstborn male’ ” (Exodus 13:2, NIV). This legislation was valid for humans as well as for animals.
One principle behind this injunction is that everything belongs to Him because He is our Creator and the Owner of everything: “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Psalms 24:1, NIV). “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts” (Haggai 2:8, ESV). The Israelites’ firstborn sons were the firstfruits of God’s blessings, which He had bestowed upon them; they were also a sign of their total consecration to Him and of their understanding that all they possessed came only from Him.
Also, we see the idea of redemption, of salvation, here. The firstborn sons were spared death because they were covered by the blood. They were redeemed from death, as are all who are under the blood of Jesus. As Paul writes about Jesus: “in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:14, NKJV).
Meanwhile, regulations were given about how this dedication should be offered, a celebration of their deliverance from Egyptian slavery. They were to sacrifice the animals, but their sons were to be redeemed (Exodus 13:12-13,15).
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Exodus 13:16 tells about what they were to put on their hands and between their eyes. How does this symbolize the important spiritual truth that, regardless of how much faith we have, we must act upon that faith? |
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Why Did God Require the Consecration of the Firstborn (Exodus 13:1-2)? As God spared them through the blood of the Passover lamb, God had a rightful claim on them as His. “All the firstborn are Mine.” (Numbers 3:13, NKJV). The consecration was to be a perpetual reminder to the Hebrew community of how God redeemed them. This is a reminder to all of us of the principle of giving God our “first” and "best". Now, as believers, we no longer consecrate our firstborns because Jesus is the fulfillment. In Jesus, the Firstborn of God (Romans 8:29, Colossians 1:15, Hebrews 1:6), was sacrificed for our sins.
Now Christ is calling us to offer ourselves fully to God because He has bought us with His own blood. We are called to live for God every day.
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice, the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him” (Romans 12:1).
Omwenga – respectfully, my understanding of ‘Consecration of the Firstborn’ - Jesus Christ – is different from yours. May I explain?
You wrote: “In Jesus, the Firstborn of God, was sacrificed for our sins.” The lesson writer states: “They were to sacrifice the animals, but their sons were to be redeemed.”
I cannot accept the idea that God saved the first-born of the Israelites, but would ‘sacrifice’ His own Son to ‘consecrate’ Him as our our Lord and Savior. I see His 'consecration' in the selfless act of His love when He laid down His life freely because it was His Father’s choice – Luke 22:42.
We are now considered ‘first-borns’ by the Grace of the Father and His Son’s faith in Him – Eph.2:8-9. Just like Jesus, we are admonished to ‘give our ‘bodies’, heart and mind’, as a willing sacrifice, honoring Him with our life dedicated to His Truth, Will and Way. By being found in Him, our consecration is established by God’s Grace through faith.
God gave us His Son to demonstrate for us what it means to be ‘consecrated’ to Him, the living example which shows us His Way and His Will. We are consecrated when engaging in His acts of righteousness by faith, not by our own acts of obedience.
It is useful to remember that the Hebrews, emerging from Egypt, were essentially transitioning from a polytheistic religious environment. There was a steep learning curve from the practices and beliefs to understand the notion of one supreme God rather than a choice of gods for different reasons. Part of this process was the change from the religious practices and ceremonies of polytheistic religion into the practices we associate with the Hebrews as we read about them in the Bible.
Some practices were adapted and given new meaning, and this is true of the sacrificial system. I could give a string of examples here, but that is a diversion from the point that I want to make.
The practice of child sacrifice was part of several of the Mediterranean religions. I believe part of the reason the instructions were given to the Hebrews as they exited Egypt and embarked on a new spiritual journey was to ensure that human sacrifice would not be practised. What better way to express that idea than to ensure that it was embedded in their brains and hands as described in Ex 13:16.
What were they to put on their hands and between their eyes?
Immediately after delivery from slavery, The Lord gave a command and not a suggestion or opinion to Moses saying , ‘Consecrate to me all the firstborns. Whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast, is mine’” (Exodus 13:1–2, ESV). This act was to be a stark reminder of the Passover night when God spared the firstborn of Israel because of the lamb’s blood on the doorposts. In Exodus 13:15, “The Lord killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of animals. Therefore all males 1st born animals that opened the womb belonged to the Lord…” This command was to be rooted in remembrance and recognition of God’s deliverance to Israel.
Consecration had not only a personal but also an instructional objective. Parents especially fathers were to explain this practice to their children, saying, “By a strong hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery” (Exodus 13:14). This was to be a testimony in every home everyday as the bible notes that "teach them when they go out, when they come in, when they lie down.....": the theme was to be -The saving grace of the Lord which was to be taught to each generation to the saving work of God clearly pointing to God Redeemer and King.
I have never stopped being my parents' child despite the fact that am over 40, the Lord desires that whenever my parents meet me the story of salvation should be part of the discussion, I am also instructed to do the same to my children as a regular obligation - Deuteronomy 6:6–7 (ESV): And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. The verses highlights the lifelong and daily responsibility of passing on God’s truth to our children not only in formal settings but in the natural flow of informal settings in our homes daily.
Motanya,thank you for highlighting this ongoing and sacred responsibility we have as parents and children. Your reflection on Exodus 13 and Deuteronomy 6:6–7 is a powerful reminder that sharing God’s truth is not confined to specific moments but is meant to be woven into the fabric of our daily lives. I especially appreciate the insight that, no matter our age, we remain our parents’ children—and that the story of salvation should continue to be part of our conversations across generations.
Amen
I think of “consecrate” as like “consider it mine”. Belonging to God. Of course everything belongs to God but I think He wants to help us set our focus on Him at all the beginnings. And the first symbolizes the best. I remember us getting milk delivered by a milkman when I was growing up, and I can tell you that the first taste was the most delicious, with all of the richest full-fat cream rising to the top.
In addition to this command to dedicate all the firstborn male children and animals, I’m thinking of several more Biblical examples of giving God the firsts:
-Ex. 23:19; Lev. 23:10-11 giving God the first fruits of the land. This reminds me of Thanksgiving in America when we’re to offer thanks to God with our harvest before we dig into all the preserves and stores of food all winter.
-The first full day Adam and Eve had together after their creation day on Friday (which was also their wedding day) was Sabbath…the day God consecrated for them and us to get our focus sharpened onto Him before we begin our work week.
-Tithing is taking the first 10% off the top of our income to give back to God in support of those ministries He offers through His Church….to focus on His mission before we focus on funding our own personal needs and dreams.
-Jesus modeled starting His day in prayer and worship and communion with the Father in a place set apart, often before His disciples and followers were awake. This is where He refueled to meet all the trials and press of the throngs in His daily life.
Can you think of other firsts God asks of us? What about the first commandment in Exodus 20:1-3….how does this set our focus on our “belonging to God” for all the other 9 commandments? What about the “first love” of Rev. 2:4? Or “seek ye first the kingdom of God….” (Matt. 6:33)?
Our actions can show our faith. It is more about what we do than about what we say. May our hearts be aligned with Heaven’s will, so we can happily live the values we cherish.
From the Monday Sabbath school lesson on "Consecration of the Firstborn," the writer likely wants to learn about¹ ²:
- *Understanding Consecration*: What it means to consecrate the firstborn and why God required this of the Israelites. The consecration was a reminder of God's deliverance and redemption, symbolizing that everything belongs to Him.
- *Redemption and Salvation*: How the concept of redemption is tied to the consecration of the firstborn, highlighting God's mercy in sparing the Israelite firstborns through the blood of the Passover lamb. This points to the ultimate redemption through Jesus Christ.
- *Applying the Principle Today*: What lessons can be applied today from this biblical account, such as giving God our "first" and "best," and living a life of faith and obedience.
- *Faith and Action*: How the Israelites' experience shows that faith requires action, as demonstrated by their obedience to God's commands, and how this applies to our lives today.
- *God's Sovereignty and Love*: The writer may also explore how the consecration of the firstborn showcases God's sovereignty, love, and care for His people, and what this means for our relationship with Him.
As we study Exodus 13, it becomes evident that God's designation of certain roles to males—such as the consecration of every firstborn male to Himself (Ex. 13:2, 12, 15)—was not based on societal norms or cultural expectations. It was a divine ordinance, directly commanded by God.
This passage reminds us that God's instructions often reflect heavenly principles, not human customs. While today's discussions about leadership roles can be complex and emotionally charged, it's important to acknowledge that some patterns in Scripture are rooted in divine purpose rather than cultural convenience.
The call to consecrate the firstborn male was deeply symbolic, pointing to God's redemptive act in sparing Israel’s firstborn and ultimately prefiguring Christ, the Firstborn over all creation (Col. 1:15). As we wrestle with modern applications, may we always seek to honor God's design as revealed in His Word—whatever the era or context.
The first born was endowed with privilege, responsibility and spiritual relevance.In the Old Testament time period the first born was given a double portion of the blessings.They were dedicated to God and became the head of the family after the father, meaning that the first born represented the whole family.
God consecrated every firstborn male (which represented the whole family) who was under the blood by faith. The first born was consecrated because he was set apart for God's service and was to be devoted to His holy purposes according to Exodus 13:12.
Through the consecration of the firstborn (which represents the whole family), Israel became a holy nation.
Romans 8:29 says that "Jesus is called the firstborn of all creation".He paid the ultimate price for all of us, therefore we should offer Him our lives as a living sacrifice.