God not only institutes the annual observance of Passover as a reminder of His work in Egypt but also commands Israel to sacrifice the firstborn from every womb as a reminder to Israel throughout her generations that Yahweh killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt. It was a serious matter and it is not to be forgotten. My understanding is that the firstborn animals are to be incorporated into the Passover feast on the seventh day of Passover, but this text does not explicitly give that instruction. The people of Israel may redeem every firstborn donkey with a lamb. They must redeem the firstborn people, not sacrifice them.
Thus, we are introduced to the doctrine of redemption. The Israelites bought back their firstborn sons from death in order to preserve their lives. We know that, because of sin, death is demanded from every person (cf. Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1ff). Yet, when Adam, the firstborn of humanity, sinned, God made the first sacrifice and clothed him–substituting his price with another life. God bought his life back in order to preserve it. An animal could not atone for Adam. Sin could not be truly imputed to an amoral creature. The first sacrifice and the redemption payment for Israel’s firstborn sons foreshadows a true atonement. Sin can only be imputed upon a moral creature who does not yet bear sin, only a Messiah, a perfect man, can be imputed with the sins of God’s people. Only God is perfect, only He is good. So, this perfect human man would need to be God. No other way is possible. So, the second person of the godhead would assume human nature and flesh, live a sinless life, be imputed with the sins of His people, and die in their place. He is the true firstborn of creation. He is the true redemption price.
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