Exodus 12:37-15:27
The LORD said to Moses, “Consecrate to me all the firstborn. Whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast, is mine.”
Exodus 13:1-2
Having just passed over all the firstborn of Israel, both of man and of beast, the LORD now lays claim to those same firstborn as His own. In the immediate, all the firstborn very literally owe their lives to the LORD. For subsequent generations, the consecration (or “setting apart”) of the firstborn then stands as an ongoing reminder of the Passover. (Ex. 13:11-16)
In truth, we all belong to the LORD. He is the Creator and so has a legitimate claim on absolutely everyone and everything. Yet we often act as though we are our own and owe Him nothing. How wrong we are! What can you do today to remind yourself that you are not your own, for you were bought with a price? (I Cor. 6:19b,20a)