In this chapter Moses explains to the people that because the firstborns of Egypt all died in order to bring about their emancipation, the firstborn of their sons and livestock will belong to Yahweh. But the firstborn of humans and donkeys will not be sacrificed, rather they will be redeemed by offering another in their place.

Ok, the humans I get. God isn’t into human sacrifice. But donkeys?

I think some of us may need to read this in the King James:

“And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭13‬:‭13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

What animal is the symbol of stubbornness?

How does the Bible describe the neck of stubborn people?

Ever wanted to break the neck of a stubborn jackass?

If an ass isn’t redeemed, its stiff neck will be broken. That… is a sad, sad picture.

But there is redemption for the firstling of an ass. It’s a lamb.

Try to remember that the next time you encounter a stubborn ass.

🤭

“Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, “The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.” Exodus‬ ‭13‬:‭17‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

America is all about efficiency. We invented the drive thru window for heaven’s sake. Dubious honor, I know. We probably have Henry Ford and the factory assembly line to thank for our obsession with quick and easy. But the best way isn’t always the most direct route. Take a look at this map. I have my doubts about the dot they placed for Sinai but that’s beside the point. Look at how close they are to the Promised Land if they went northeast!

The Philistines are Goliath’s people. And they’re a rough, shady lot. Israel isn’t quite ready for that yet.

🧔🏽 Israel: Yay! We’re gettin’ outa Egypt! Goin’ to the Promised Land! Woop Woop!

☁️ YHWH Cloud: Just gonna turn south here at the border of Egypt…

🧔🏽 Israel: Buuuhhh… wait what? That’s not the right direction! Canaan is north! And east! According to my compass we need to…

☁️ YHWH Cloud: …and we’re just gonna camp here on the edge of the jillikins. Let’s do bushcraft stuff and wilderness survival. Won’t that be fun?

🧔🏽 Israel: Wilderness survival?! I signed up for milk and honey! 🥛🍯 Where’s the milk and honey?!

☁️ YHWH Cloud: Trust the process.

Some of you, dear readers, may have had a relatively normal life experience. Some of you may feel that you were drug backwards through a knothole and around the wilderness in so many circles you’re still dizzy. Life did not go according to what seemed to make the most sense. And like the children of Israel, for some of us, it’s our choices that led to a few extra laps (isn’t that what coaches do to discipline athletes?).

God does not typically lead His people on the short, easy path. Or the wide one. It’s a narrow way. Twisty sometimes. Cliff-hugging and cling-to-the-Rock-lest-I-fall sometimes. In my experience, it usually doesn’t make a lick of sense until after. The paths of righteousness aren’t necessarily efficient. It often feels like you’re getting further from your purpose, not closer.

Anybody out there remember this scene?

Daniel didn’t know Mr. Miyagi was teaching him how to fight. He thought he was getting further away from what he wanted to learn. It looked suspiciously like waxing cars.

Israel needed to learn to trust Yahweh. It looked suspiciously like wilderness camping led by a cloud and a floating fire.

When we find ourselves on the edge of the wilderness- off everyone’s radar, not where we thought we would be- it’s not because God’s GPS is malfunctioning. It’s intentional.

The Lord knows what He’s doing. He knows if we’re ready to face the Philistines or not. If we will Trust And Obey (as the old hymn says), God will lead us where we need to be, when we need to be there.

And in the meantime, IF we will do as He says, the hours and days of wax-on wax-off will turn out to be a valuable fighting skill that we will need when we face our enemies.

Have a great weekend. I’m off to follow the Cloud. ☁️