1. The Firstborn- Verses 1-2
By reason of God passing over and saving the firstborn of Israel He here commands that all the firstborn of man and beast be set apart for Him. The parents and owners learned that their first and best belonged to God. More important yet is the fact that the firstborn as redeemed ones typified God's chosen people who are redeemed by the blood of Christ (Hebrews 12:23). All those saved from God's wrath by faith in Christ are also sanctified by God (I Corinthians 1:2&30).

2. The Feast Of Unleavened Bread- Verses 3-10
The Lord here gave the command that the feast of unleavened bread be observed every year once Israel arrived in the promised land. Note several important thoughts:
a. This feast reminded them of the repentance and sincerity found in the lives of those who truly know Christ (I Corinthians 5:8). Leaven is a common type of sin in scripture. Repentance always accompanies faith in God's lamb (Acts 20:21).
b. Mark well the command of God that we teach our children (verses 8-10). Each new generation is to be carefully instructed. The parent was to explain to the son that the feast of unleavened bread was to act as a string around his finger to remind him of God's great deliverance. How easily we do forget. No wonder Christ has given His church two ordinances to remind them of His work for our salvation (Romans 6:3-6, I Corinthians 11:24-26).
The Jews took the words of verse 9 in an unnaturally literal sense. They began to wear phylacteries which were small leather boxes containing strips of parchment with scriptures written on them. In Matthew 23:5 Christ mentioned the abuse of this custom.
Their tradition seems to be without scriptural foundation. The Lord intended the feast itself to be the reminder. The words of verse 9 and Deuteronomy 6:6-9 seem to have the same meaning as Proverbs 3:1-3 or Psalm 119:11. The ordinances of God act as a spiritual string around the finger to prod our memory.

3. Redemption- Verses 11-16
These scriptures give a further explanation concerning the firstborn male which was set apart for God. The firstborn male of clean animals was sacrificed unto the Lord. The firstborn male of unclean animals had to either be redeemed by the death of a lamb or be slain. All the firstborn male children were redeemed. (Our Lord Jesus was born under the law. As Mary’s firstborn this applied to Him. See Luke 2:22-24).
As the Israelites practiced these duties it was naturally assumed that the children would ask questions (verse 14). Here again the great works of God in Egypt were to be explained.
Before moving from this section let us meditate upon some of the spiritual truths illustrated by the redemption of the firstborn:
a. The firstborn of clean animals was sacrificed to God as was Christ our pure and perfect redeemer. He was the firstborn (Romans 8:29, Colossians 1:15).
b. Should we view the firstborn of clean animals as picturing God's people (Hebrews 12:23) then we see the necessity of their lives being dedicated to the Lord (Romans 12:1, I Corinthians 6:19-20).
c. The unclean animals represented the sinful state of man. We like the firstborn ass must either die or be redeemed. The death of the lamb could alone cause the ass to be passed over in judgment. Without God's lamb man like the ass will die and be cast out from God's presence (verse 13, Jeremiah 22:19, Revelation 20:15).
d. The ass typified not only man's danger but his defiled nature. It was an unclean beast. By birth it was stupid, stubborn, and bred for slavery (Job 11:12, Genesis 49:14). Only God would redeem such through His precious Son (Romans 5:6-8).
e. At a later time God took the Levites in place of Israel's firstborn sons (Numbers 3:12-13). Those above the number of the Levites were redeemed with money (Numbers 3:40-51).
What a picture of Christ our great high priest taking our place before God. He is our priest and our substitute (Hebrews 7:26-27). In Israel there were insufficient Levites so that some of the firstborn had to be redeemed with money. In Christ's salvation He is an all sufficient Saviour and none are redeemed with silver or gold (I Peter 1:18).

4. The Right Way- Verses 17-18
There were two routes to Canaan. Israel could have headed northeast through the country of the Philistines and have reached their destination in a few days. Instead God led them in a southerly direction toward the Sinaitic peninsula.
There is no doubt man in his fleshly wisdom would have chosen the shortest route. This teaches us that only the Lord is a safe guide (Proverbs 3:6, Jeremiah 10:23). His ways may not be short or easy but they are the best (Psalm 107:7). While Israel may not have understood God's way yet in looking back we see the wisdom of His leadership. One day we will look back and understand God's way in our lives. Note now God's purposes with Israel:
a. God knows the strength and limitations of His people (Exodus 14:17). Oftentimes the path we complain of is the safest one for us (I Corinthians 10:13, Deuteronomy 32:10-12).
b. As Israel followed God's leadership their enemies were destroyed (Exodus 14:27-30).
c. While going through the wilderness they were led to Mt. Sinai where the law was received.
d. In the wilderness Israel learned of her own weakness (Deuteronomy 8:2).
e. In the wilderness Israel learned to trust in God's word (Deuteronomy 8:3). Christ referred to this while resisting Satan's temptation.

5. The Bones Of Joseph- Verse 19
Joseph believed with all his heart that God would keep His word and take Israel back to Canaan. So strong was his faith that he caused them to make an oath that they would carry his bones with them when this happened (Genesis 50:24-25, Hebrews 11:22). That they kept this oath proves that they never totally forgot the promises of God. We believe that the Israelites knew their history and remembered God's words to the patriarchs.
(This event reminds us of I Thessalonians 4:16. Just as the bones of Joseph were not left in Egypt so one day the bodies of God's children will be removed from this world. Our end is not a "coffin in Egypt").

6. The Shekinah- Verses 20-22
As Israel left Egypt they were led by the pillar of cloud and fire (Psalm 78:14). This was a visible manifestation of God's presence. God spoke to them out of the pillar (Psalm 99:6-7, Exodus 33:9-11). The Lord's leadership is one of the most valuable blessings we enjoy. The pillar reminds us of God's presence in our lives:
a. God leads us by His word (Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 6:20-23).
b. God leads us by His Spirit (Romans 8:14).
In many ways the pillar reminds us of the presence of God's Spirit. The pillar came to Israel after their redemption from Egypt just as the Spirit comes to those who believe on Christ for salvation (Ephesians 1:13). The pillar like God's Spirit was a light and a covering to God's people (John 16:13, Psalm 105:39). At the same time the pillar was darkness to the Egyptians just as the world cannot comprehend the things of God's Spirit (I Corinthians 2:14).