As Moses is leading the Children of Israel out of Egypt, God chooses to elaborate on two of the finer points of the Passover instructions: the consecration of the firstborn and the forbidding of the use of leaven during the feast. In the matter of consecration, each family would be required–since God spared them during the Passover–to consecrate their firstborn son to God. This consecration would not mean that the son would be sacrificed or that he would be given to God. Instead, the people recognized the wondrous miracle God had performed in delivering them from Egypt, and ceremonially consecrated the firstborn to God, redeeming him with an offering to the Lord. The Levites and priests stood in the place of the firstborn of each family, serving God in the tabernacle. How does this apply to people living in today’s world? Each of us, as Christians, should recognize the powerful miracle that God did for us through Jesus’ dying on the cross to deliver us from sin. In turn, we should consecrate ourselves, our children, our households to God! Some say this is a Biblical predecessor to modern baby dedication. While that is possible, I think the job of recognizing that Jesus’ work for us is so pervasive, reaching to all that we are and all that we have, that we should consecrate everything we have to Him. We are the new priesthood of all believers, and God is calling us to service.
The leaven matter is an interesting case in symbolism. They could not leaven their bread, because they were to be leaving in a big hurry. The symbolism there would be that we cannot allow anything to slow us down from following the word and will of God! But another–deeper–meaning can be found in the words of Jesus when he warns His disciples about the “leaven of the Pharisees.” This other leaven story may shed light on the Exodus story. Perhaps God wanted no part of the Egyptian culture, religion, or traditions to follow Israel into the promised land. The leaven of Egypt, like any leaven, or yeast, pervades the medium in which it is placed, changing the character of the dough or bread. Be careful what you allow into your life! Influences that take you away from God can appear small and insignificant, just like the tiny lump of yeast. However, that lump will leaven an entire loaf. Don’t let the sinful leaven of the world slip into your life and pervade your thoughts. Be pure on your way to the promised land!
Devoted To You 