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The commandments (Exod. 34: 18-26).
A | 18. | a | Thou shalt keep. The feast of unleavened bread.
b | Seven days shalt thou eat it.
c | Thou camest out of Egypt.
B | 19, 20. Firstborn of cattle--redeemed.
Firstborn of ass--break his neck.
Firstborn of sons--redeemed.
C | 21. Six days work. Seventh day rest.
A | 22-24. | a | Thou shalt observe. Feast of Weeks, Firstfruits, Ingathering.
b | Thrice in the year--No leaven.
c | I will cast out the nation--No leaven.
B | 26. Firstborn of land--bring.
No seeth kid in mother's milk.
The commandments so put forward, and thereby emphasized and enjoined upon this
people, are as follows:--
1. The four feasts that mark out their ecclesiastical year.--Unleavened bread is a
reminder of their separation from evil unto the Lord, but the statement in verse 25
concerning the unleavened sacrifices would remind Israel that it is by the blood of
atonement, and not by the works of the law, that they can ever hope to find acceptance.
The last feast, the ingathering, symbolizes all Israel's hope, and keeps it before them.
2. Redemption.--This is selected for repetition. The firstborn of man and beast
belong to the Lord. This, as we find by referring back to Exod. 13: 12-15, was
ordained to keep perpetually in mind the deliverance of Israel and the slaying of the
firstborn in Egypt. The firstling of an ass did not come into the same class as the firstling
of an ox or sheep, for the ass was not an animal fit for sacrifice. It must either be
redeemed by the sacrifice of a lamb, or its neck must be broken. All firstborn sons, too,
like the ass must be redeemed.
The injunction at the close against seething a kid in its mother's milk, guards the mind
against what might appear indifference to animal suffering or cruelty. God's commands
concerning animal sacrifices were necessitated because of sin, but He would have His
people follow the paths of love and kindness.
3. The observance of the sabbath knew no exceptions.--Ploughing and harvesting are
exacting periods in the life of an agricultural people, nevertheless, however pressing the
apparent need, the seventh day sabbath must be preserved. It was, as we have seen, a
sign between Israel and the Lord.
4. The first of the firstfruits were to be given to the Lord.--This is much in line with
the many customs still existing in virtue of which some tangible tribute is paid annually
to an overlord in recognition of his dues and demands upon the fealty of the one in
covenant. As we shall see later, these firstfruits were a foreshadowing of resurrection.