What does Exodus 13:15 mean?
Egypt had enslaved Israel (Exodus 1:11–14). When God sent Moses to lead the people to freedom (Exodus 3:10), the assignment came with a prediction of miracles. These would be needed specifically because the Egyptian king, the pharaoh, would be resistant to giving them freedom (Exodus 3:19–20). Pharaoh repeatedly refused the Lord's command to release the Hebrew slaves (Exodus 5:2; 7:12, 14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 34; 10:10). At times, he even broke his word (Exodus 8:15, 31–32; 9:34–35; 10:19–20). Despite many supernatural signs (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24; 10:14, 23), Pharaoh was obstinate. It took the death of Egypt's firstborn (Exodus 11:4–6) to break him enough to allow Israel to go free (Exodus 12:29–32).These historic events are the reason Israel is being commanded to observe particular traditions (Exodus 12:14, 17, 24; 13:10). Consecrating the first male born to any woman or animal (Exodus 13:1–2, 12) recalled how the Lord took Egypt's firstborn but spared Israel because of sacrificial lambs (Exodus 12:12–13). Animals were to be sacrificed unless they were unclean (Exodus 13:13). Children were to be "redeemed" by sacrificing a lamb.