FIVE GREAT LESSONS FOR LIVING FROM EXODUS 13

The instructions found in this great chapter were the first given following the institution of the

Passover (ch 12). They were given before God separated Israel from Egypt at the Red Sea (ch 14).

Obviously, these instructions were very important to the ongoing success of the people of God.

1. God Demands the FIRST FRUITS - vv 2, 12-13

a. Proverbs 3:9

b. Malachi 3:8

c. 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

2. PURITY in LIFE Precedes Preparation for WORSHIP - vv 3-10

a. Leaven was considered as unclean, an agent of defilement: 1 Corinthians 5:6-8

b. Sunday worship is not a time of preparation for getting through Monday to Saturday. Rather,

Monday -Saturday should be spent in preparation to come before God in worship on Sunday.

c. 1 Corinthians 10:21 - we have too many Sunday Christians in the church, (even one is too

many), who live like the world on Monday - Saturday and give pretense to living for the Lord on

Sunday.

d. 1 Corinthians 11:27-30 - many in the church today are spiritually sick like the Corinthians,

and some are spiritually asleep (i.e., dead).

i. The word asleep here refers to death - John 11:11-14, 1 Cor 15:51, 1 Thes 4:13-17.

3. Spiritual Instruction Belongs Primarily to the HOME - vv 8-9, 14-16

a. Deuteronomy 6:7-20 (note the child asks concerning "the Lord OUR God.")

b. Genesis 18:19

c. Joshua 24:15

d. Ephesians 6:1-4

4. God Will Lead Us in the BEST PATHS - vv 17-19

a. The Israelites were not ready for war, so God led them in a different (better) path.

b. Jeremiah 6:16 the old paths, wherein is the GOOD WAY

c. Deuteronomy 6:24-25 God's commands are for our GOOD ALWAYS

d. John 12:26 - If we'll follow Jesus wherever He goes, we'll end up where He is (J Ramsey)

5. God Will Never LEAVE nor FORSAKE Us - vv 20-22

a. The cloud was a testimony to God's:

i. Presence

ii. Power

iii. Protection

iv. Provision

b. But they had to follow the cloud in faith.

c. Hebrews 13:5-6

d. Matthew 28:20