Consecration of the First Born (Exodus 13:1-2)

1 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Consecrate [give over as holy] to me all the firstborn. Whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast, is mine.” [God desires that the Israelites recognize his right to ownership of their first and best, as in the case of the spoils of war. Why is this tied into the Passover? First, most animal young were born this time of year. Second, fathers and firstborn children carried special responsibilities for family leadership that included keeping other family members well informed about keeping the terms of the covenant. The firstborn child has a position of honor at the Passover dinner table.]