Exo 13:2 | KingComments | STEP | The LORD gives Moses the command to sanctify every firstborn. Sanctify means to set apart for a particular purpose, and that is here to be for Him. Before, God sanctified a day, the sabbath day, and set it apart from the other days (cf. ). Now He sanctifies persons, the firstborn. Other persons who will be sanctified later are the priests and Levites and the whole people. Later He also sanctifies a place – tabernacle and temple – and utensils for service. What He sanctifies is from and for Him. By sanctifying something, He exercises His right to it. In the New Testament we read that the believers are sanctified ( ). Therefore they are called “saints” ( ; ). That is the position of the believer. Sanctification is also mentioned as an ongoing process ( ). The believer belongs to Him and should glorify Him ( ). If He has bought us, He is also entitled to everything we own. What the believers are as ‘firstborn’, they are through their connection with the Lord Jesus, Who is “the firstborn among many brethren” ( ).

‏ Exodus 13:2

Command to Sanctify the Firstborn

The LORD gives Moses the command to sanctify every firstborn. Sanctify means to set apart for a particular purpose, and that is here to be for Him. Before, God sanctified a day, the sabbath day, and set it apart from the other days (cf. Gen 2:3). Now He sanctifies persons, the firstborn. Other persons who will be sanctified later are the priests and Levites and the whole people. Later He also sanctifies a place – tabernacle and temple – and utensils for service. What He sanctifies is from and for Him. By sanctifying something, He exercises His right to it.

In the New Testament we read that the believers are sanctified (Heb 10:10). Therefore they are called “saints” (1Cor 1:2a; Rom 1:7). That is the position of the believer. Sanctification is also mentioned as an ongoing process (1Thes 5:23). The believer belongs to Him and should glorify Him (1Cor 6:20). If He has bought us, He is also entitled to everything we own. What the believers are as ‘firstborn’, they are through their connection with the Lord Jesus, Who is “the firstborn among many brethren” (Rom 8:29).