Exodus 13:1-22 – Consecration, Feast of the Unleavened Bread and Pillars of Cloud and Fire
Consecration of firstborns
Every firstborn of the people and the animals was consecrated as redemption to the LORD. For every firstborn of Egypt was killed when the Pharaoh refused to release the Israelites (13:1, 11-16).
The Feast of the Unleavened Bread was celebrated in Canaan for seven days in the month of Abid after the Passover. It was a memorial of the LORD’s redemption when the people ate unleavened bread in haste when they were delivered from more than 400 years of slavery in Egypt (13:3-10; Deut 16:3; Lev 23:6-8).
A pillar of cloud and fire
God led the Israelites by the pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. He guided them south-eastwards to Succoth and they journeyed and then camped at Etham at the edge of the wilderness.
The direct route was via the way of the Philistines to Gaza. They also brought the bones of Joseph to honor his wish to be buried in Canaan.
Response
