“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Consecrate to Me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast; it is Mine’” (13:1-2). The word “consecrate” in the original is ‘Kadash,’ meaning ‘to be set apart,’ in this context, unto the Lord. Interestingly in verses 11-16, Moses gives us further insight on the firstborn, as all of the firstborn animals were to be given to God as a sacrificial offering upon entering the Promised Land. But one animal, the donkey, along with man, was singled out to be redeemed. Redemption is costly. There was a price paid at the Passover – the life of an unblemished Lamb and the redemption price of the firstborn consecrated to the Lord. All this points to the firstborn of all creation (Col 1:15), Jesus Christ, who paid the ultimate price for our redemption (Mt 20:28), giving His very life so that we may live with Him (1Th 5:10)
