The Children of Israel are on their way out of Egypt. In these passages, God tells Israel to sanctify every firstborn to him. He also establishes a week to celebrate their deliverance out of Egypt by eating unleavened bread for 7 days and on that last day they are to have a feast. He also sets up an ordinance of sacrificing the male firstling of every flock.

The reason that this is required of Israel is that God knows his chosen people and he knows that they will constant reminders of what he has done for them. All of these ordinances are set up for a memorial that God delivered the children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt.

I would love to go back and witness the pillar of the cloud during the day and the pillar of fire that led the Israelites at night!

In chapter 14, God hardens Pharaoh’s heart once again that he might chase after the Israelites so that God may once again display his power to Egypt and the Hebrews. As the mighty men of Egypt are chasing down the Israelites, God tells Moses to lift up his rod and stretch his hand over the sea and He will divide it so that The Israelites can cross over the sea on dry ground. After they reach the other side, God tells Moses to stretch forth his hand once again and the waters will return. This quickly and violently destroys the Egyptians and their chariots that were following behind.

Chapter 14 ends with this verse that I like: “And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his servant Moses.” Proverbs 1:7 says “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” The children of Israel were becoming more knowledgeable about who God was, his power, his personality, and his protection.