(Exod. 12:13; 13:12)

The story of the redemption of the firstborn at the time of the passover is well-known. The blood of the lamb without blemish or other defect was shed and sprinkled. And Jehovah pledged His word that He would deliver the houses marked by the blood, saying, "When I see the blood I will pass over you."

One of the clearest types of the salvation of the believer in these Christian days is presented thus:"Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us" (1 Cor. 5:7).

Connected with the passover was the feast of unleavened bread. The two were intimately, inseparably associated. Thus we read in Mark 14:1, "After two days was the feast of the passover and of unleavened bread." And again in Luke 22:1, "Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the passover." In the one case the thought of the passover has precedence, and in the other the thought of unleavened bread. The two are joined together and are not to be put asunder.

We are called to practical separation from all evil. This is pictured in "unleavened bread," leaven being a usual type of evil (see 1 Cor. 6:8; Gal. 5:9). For us today holiness of conduct is called for by all who partake of the Lord's Supper, whether before so-doing or subsequent thereto, just as the Israelite must be clean ceremonially and his house free from leaven, both before observing the passover and for the seven days following- the "seven days" being a complete period, answering in our case to the whole course of our life.

But more than this, Jehovah claimed for Himself the firstborn who was delivered from the destroying angel's sword on the passover night. His life was spared, but it was claimed by Jehovah. He was saved to serve.

Thus we read in Exodus 13 that the firstborn was to be set apart to the Lord, or, as an alternative translation gives it, he was to be caused to pass over to the Lord. Having been redeemed he was to be transferred to the Lord as His property henceforth. So in Numbers 3:13 we read, "Because all the firstborn are Mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto Me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast; Mine shall they be:I am the Lord."

"CAUSE TO PASS OVER." Another pass over this altogether. Cleared in the passover of Exodus 12. Claimed, and to be consecrated in the pass over of Exodus 13 and Numbers 3.

"Ye are not your own, ye are bought with a price." "Mine shall they be," "They are Mine," said Jehovah.. Because this was so, the firstborn were to be set apart for His service. Later on, Jehovah chose to take the Levites instead of the firstborn for ministry connected with the tabernacle. This was His sovereign right, for all belong to Him.

Has this second pass over had its proper place in our thoughts? Have we not been greatly occupied solely with our clearance, and frequently forgotten God's claim?

We are His by redemption and we should yield ourselves to Him for His service where and when and how He will. So it is that the apostle Paul having shown the abundant mercy of God in our deliverance from the judgment of God to which we had been subject (a deliverance effected by the death of Christ for us), calls upon us to present our bodies a living sacrifice acceptable to God. And he adds, "Which is your reasonable (or intelligent) service" (Rom. 12:1). It is the only right answer which we can give in the light of God's."so great salvation."

The illustration of a purchase made in shop or store has been used. If I buy and pay for an article, then that article is mine. What would be said of a merchant who refused to hand over the goods which had been bought? If righteous, he would of course deliver the goods to their new owner.

Have we delivered the goods? Have we yielded ourselves to God that He may have the service which He claims? Are we honest? Are we righteous? Or are we robbers? We would object to such a title being applied to us; would we not? But "ye have robbed Me" was the solemn charge of Jehovah against Israel. "How have we robbed Thee?" they indignantly enquired. It was in their "tithes and offerings." What He had claimed of them was not forthcoming. They were robbers in that they did not give Him His rights. Again then let me ask, Are we robbers? God claims us for His service. We are saved to serve, just as the firstborn was. We may give a part of what we possess, but He claims us. We cannot substitute either by sending out a missionary or other servant. It is our person and personal service which He claims.

Let us then cause ourselves to pass over to Him, to be His and His alone, so that our lives may be for His glory and praise. Inglis Fleming