Exodus 13:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: You shall therefore keep this statute at its appointed time from year to year.

NIV: You must keep this ordinance at the appointed time year after year.

NASB: Therefore, you shall keep this ordinance at its appointed time from year to year.

CSB: Keep this statute at its appointed time from year to year.

NLT: So observe the decree of this festival at the appointed time each year.

KJV: Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year.

NKJV: You shall therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year.

To maintain their memory of all God had done to free them from Egypt (Exodus 12:40–41), Israel was to observe Passover (Exodus 12:11) and the Feast of Unleavened Bread every year (Exodus 12:17). These were connected to the date of their liberation. At the time, this month was called Abib and was later known as Nisan. Because of the exodus from Egypt, this became the first month of the Hebrew calendar (Exodus 12:2).

This passage has focused so far on the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 13:6–7). This begins just after the Passover sacrifice, on the fourteenth day of the first month. This is based on a lunar calendar, so the precise dates vary; this is typically in late March to early April. The celebration ends on the twenty-first day of the month (Exodus 12:18). Israelites are to celebrate this as a way of honoring their rescue from harsh slavery (Exodus 1:11–14).

By the time of Jesus' earthly ministry, the entire week of remembrance was often referred to as "Passover." Jesus, His family, and His early followers participated in Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Matthew 26:17; Luke 2:41; John 2:23). Many details of Passover were meant to predict Jesus' sacrifice on that same day (Matthew 26:1–2; 1 Corinthians 5:6–8).

Exodus 13:1–10 starts with a command for consecration of all Israel's firstborn. It then gives further instructions about the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This is a week-long observance which celebrates God's work to free Israel from Egyptian slavery. Eating bread with no leaven—without yeast—symbolizes being free from the pervasive effects of sin. It also recalls how the people prepared un-risen bread on the night they were freed (Exodus 12:8, 39).

God reiterates the requirements of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Israel is to celebrate this every year as a way of remembering their liberation from Egyptian slavery. In addition, the people are to consecrate all of the first-born of any mother—both people and animals. Animals that cannot be sacrificed are to be redeemed. Sons are to be redeemed by an animal sacrifice. The Lord creates a column of clouds for the people to follow during the day, which is lit by fire so they can also follow it at night. This keeps them moving quickly. Soon, Egyptian soldiers will catch up to them and God will once again provide miraculous rescue (Exodus 14).

The Lord has just freed Israel from centuries of Egyptian slavery (Exodus 12). The final blow to Egypt was the death of all firstborn (Exodus 12:29–32) on the night of the first Passover (Exodus 12:12–13). God's guidelines for that night are partly repeated here along with directions for the Feast of Unleavened Bread. He instructs the nation about consecrating their own firstborn as He guides them. A column of fiery clouds helps the people travel day and night. This haste is important because Egypt's king is about to change his mind. He will soon send the Egyptian military to chase down the Israelites (Exodus 14).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.