And it shalbe when thy sonne asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? That thou shalt say vnto him; By strength of hand the Lord brought vs out from Egypt, from the house of bondage. Exodus 13:14 (KJV)
Exodus 13:14 belongs to the narrative of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt and records the specific instruction to teach future generations about the deliverance God performed. At this point the people had just been freed from the house of bondage through the mighty acts of the LORD, especially the tenth plague that caused the death of the firstborn and compelled Pharaoh to release them. Under Moses’ leadership they were now journeying toward the Promised Land.
The verse stresses the importance of passing down the story of God’s rescue. It anticipates a time when a child will ask, “What is this?” about the Passover feast and the consecration of the firstborn. The parent is then commanded to answer that the LORD brought them out of Egypt “by strength of hand.” This phrase highlights that the liberation was not achieved by human power but by the sovereign power of God.
Acknowledging God’s deliverance serves several purposes. It reminds the Israelites of their dependence on the LORD, reinforces the memory of the oppressive conditions they escaped, and cultivates a reverent gratitude for God’s compassion and faithfulness. The reference to “the house of bondage” underscores the severity of the slavery they endured and the magnitude of the divine rescue.
In summary, the passage calls believers to teach their children about the historic act of salvation, to explain the significance of the Passover observance, and to recognize that every act of deliverance comes from God’s mighty hand alone. By faithfully transmitting these truths, each generation can experience the goodness and faithfulness of the LORD and remain rooted in the identity of a people rescued by divine strength.
