God’s Renewing Word of Joy
Introduction
Exodus 13:1-10: All first-born males are to be dedicated to the LORD, and Moses tells the people that they are to observe the Festival of Unleavened Bread every year.
Scripture Reading
Dedication of the First-Born
13 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Dedicate all the first-born males to me, for every first-born male Israelite and every first-born male animal belongs to me.”
The Festival of Unleavened Bread
3 Moses said to the people, “Remember this day—the day on which you left Egypt, the place where you were slaves. This is the day the Lord brought you out by his great power. No leavened bread is to be eaten. 4 You are leaving Egypt on this day in the first month, the month of Abib. 5 The Lord solemnly promised your ancestors to give you the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. When he brings you into that rich and fertile land, you must celebrate this festival in the first month of every year. 6 For seven days you must eat unleavened bread and on the seventh day there is to be a festival to honor the Lord. 7 For seven days you must not eat any bread made with yeast; there must be no yeast or leavened bread anywhere in your land. 8 When the festival begins, explain to your sons that you do all this because of what the Lord did for you when you left Egypt. 9 This observance will be a reminder, like something tied on your hand or on your forehead; it will remind you to continue to recite and study the Law of the Lord, because the Lord brought you out of Egypt by his great power. 10 Celebrate this festival at the appointed time each year.
TODAY’S KEY VERSE: Exodus 13:9
[Moses said:] “This observance will be a reminder . . . it will remind you to continue to recite and study the Law of the LORD, because the LORD brought you out of Egypt by his great power.”
Reflect
As cited earlier in Exodus 12:15-20, instructions for celebrating the Festival of Unleavened Bread are given (verses 3-10). In what way does the Festival of Unleavened Bread provide an opportunity for teaching about God? Within your community of faith, are there observances that provide opportunities for teaching about God?
Pray
Lord God, teach me to study and follow your ways so that I continue to grow in knowledge of you. I trust in your great power and praise and glorify your holy name. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Exodus 13:11-22: God leads the people out of Egypt through the desert toward the Red Sea.