God commanded His people to consecrate – set apart as the Lord’s – every firstborn male, both humans and animals. All the earth and its inhabitants belong to the Lord, not just the firstborn (Psalm 24:1). Why consecrate the firstborn males? Because God wanted His people to remember what He had done in Egypt – how He spared the firstborn from the plague of death by the blood of a lamb.

In this command, God called His people to look back and ahead. God’s rescuing His people out of Egypt did not start or end with providing life for the firstborn males during Passover. He also provided life to all the people by rescuing them through the Red Sea, providing food and water, and guiding them through the wilderness. But all these acts of God’s deliverance pointed toward a greater rescue – the one from sin and death that would come through Christ. This is what He wanted them to understand. Their rescue, as amazing as it was, pointed to this greater rescue ahead – a rescue promised in Genesis 3:15 and fulfilled in Christ Jesus.

• How does looking back at God’s work in your life help you look ahead with hope and assurance?