Exodus 13

Abba Father, we thank you for this day. We thank you for Your love, goodness, mercy and faithfulness that are always abiding with us. We thank you for Your presence that is in us, around us and dwells with us In the Name of Jesus. We ask that You speak to us and reveal Jesus Christ as we read and share the Word today In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Chapter 13 starts off with the LORD giving more instructions through Moses to the children of Israel concerning the Passover. The LORD tells them to "Consecrate to Me all the first-born, whatever opens the woman among the children of Israel, both man and beast; it is mine." (Exodus 13:2).

Moses also reminds the people to always remember the day that the LORD God took them out of Egypt in the month of Abib. Previously, we saw that the LORD God instructed the children of Israel that the month of Abib would be the first month of the year. Exodus 12:2 says, "This month shall be the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you." According to the Gregorian calendar, which is the normal calendar most of the world recognises, the month of Abib falls between March - April.

This is signficiant for our purposes because we see that God intended for the year to begin with a testimony of His goodness and power that was demonstrated when He fulfilled His Word of freeing His people from slavery in Egypt. Many at times, circumstances may rob us of clearly seeing God's goodness and power through the numerous good things that He has done for His people but the LORD desires for us to stay fixed on Him and the sure testimony of His goodness.

In the New Testament, as believers we are reminded to fix our eyes on Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). You cannot keep your eyes fixed on the negative and also keep them fixed on Jesus. I believe this was the LORD's intention for the children of Israel that as they started the year off with the month of Abib, observing the Passover regulations, they would forever remember the testimony of the LORD's faithfulness and goodness towards their lives. Furthermore, Revelation 12:11 reminds us that the enemy is defeated by the blood of the lamb and the Word of our testimony and observing the Passover is a significant celebration of the defeat of their enemies.

Chapter 13 continues to set out more instructions for the children of Israel. That is, they had to make sure they ate only unleavened bread which is basically bread without yeast or baking powder for seven days and on the seventh day, they would make a feast unto the LORD (Exodus 13:6). They are other instructions that you may read as seen from Exodus 13:7-16.

However, despite all these instructions, the LORD in His wisdom saw it wise that the children of Israel should not leave by the shortest way to the prepared promised land flowing with milk and honey.

Exodus 13:17 reads, "Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, "Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt."

Friend, God knows us better than we know ourselves. God does not desire for anyone of His children to return to bondage. The LORD wants to keep you out of bondage more than you desire to keep yourself out of bondage. Jesus says in John 10:29-30, "My Father who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one."

The LORD keeping you out of bondage may mean that you may have to stay in God's presence longer to see your breakthrough, not because He did not hear your prayer request the first time but the LORD does not desire to give you a blessing that would destroy you.

Hebrews 4:12 tells us that; "For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

Be encouraged that as you continue to seek God in His Word and prayer, He will reveal to you everything that needs to change in you thereby empowering you with His strength and wisdom you have in Christ to enter your promised land.

Leading up to the Exodus, the lives of the children of Israel were marred with pain, mistreatment, torture, death, disappointment and loss. Leaving slavery in Egypt was the first experience of hope and the LORD's love for an entire generation. The Bible says that a king who did not know Joseph ruled the children of Israel and started mistreating that generation (Exodus 1:8). The LORD did not want them to take the shortest route to the promised land in the event the weariness in their souls caused them to be defeated by their enemies and return to bondage in Egypt. Thus, the LORD desired to demonstrate His love and power to His people. His love was meant to transform their hearts and heal all sorts of pain from the past thereby empowering them with strength to possess the promised land. In the New Testament, the ultimate expression of God's love is further illustrated when He sent His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ to die for the entire sins of the world (John 3:16).

The LORD also showed His love by constantly surrounding the children of Israel with His presence.

Exodus 13:21-22 tells us, "And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people."

The LORD's presence surrounded His people as they journeyed in the wilderness from Egypt to protect and keep them safe to their promised inheritance - a land flowing with milk and honey (Exodus 13:5).

I believe when we have a better image of God's love for us and we are fully able to understand His character of faithfulness, it empowers us to stand stronger in the midst of trials because we believe that the LORD will never leave nor forsake us especially when we most need Him.

As a result, Romans 8:37 reminds us, "No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us."

TO BE CONTINUED...