Section Two

Consecration of the

Firstborn

In another passage in Exodus, there is a set of instructions for the Israelites to celebrate a day that would commemorate what God had done when the Israelites were freed from slavery and led to the land across the Jordan. This day (to be called the ‘Consecration of the Firstborn’) included giving back to God the firstborn, including donkeys and livestock. The giving back to God of the firstborn was to remind the Israelites of the events of the Passover. In this way, it would also commemorate the freeing of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. As a part of these instructions, there is another passage that deals with children asking questions. It says that in the future (when the day is celebrated) the Israelite sons will ask what the day means. The answer is to explain the meaning of the day to them - to teach them a little of the history of the Israelites (in this case the Passover and freedom from slavery). Finally, the passage says that passing on the history in this way is like having symbols on the hand and forehead. In other words, it is like something visible and seen by others.