Over the years, there have been many discussions on how to honor these “Set Apart Days.” How to celebrate, when to celebrate, and whether we should celebrate at all, are topics that have been around for thousands of years. Moshe Gold wrote an article for Jewishawareness.org in 2013 that addressed the history surrounding the early church and its struggles to either follow the Passover observed by the disciples of Yeshua or by the 1st-day observers. His pointed observations made me aware of how people have viewed this topic differently both personally and historically.
We could easily get caught up in the discussion of proper interpretations, but for me, it all becomes somewhat simple. Be a “good Hebrew” and ask some basic questions like, “I wonder what the pictures of Passover and Unleavened Bread look like and do they help me in my world today? Are you interested to explore this with me?
The first picture of Passover and Unleavened is found in the book of Exodus, Chapters 11-13. The Passover (Pesach. Meaning to skip or jump) is observed at the same time YHWH would deliver His last plague against Egypt. This plague was the death of the firstborn in the land. To guard against Yah’s judgment, each Hebrew home is to take a lamb. Each home would put blood over their doorpost. And each home is to eat the roasted lamb that night.
“The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.” Exodus 12:13
Ok, so this picture seems to show a serious event, one that if not understood or followed would cause YHWH not to skip or jump over your house. It also seems to show that every household must make a personal decision. It is the last plague to fall before Israel attains freedom. How does this relate to our world? Consider the thought that YHWH even now is about to bring judgment on a government that has put people into bondage. Consequently, to live through such an event, we might want to consider applying “The Lamb” in and on our household.
The second picture involves the Feast of Unleavened falling on the next day (Leviticus 23:5,6). The Exodus story falls on the morning of Israel being rescued. It’s a holy gathering that celebrates freedom. But what’s with the picture of unleavened? Many people view leaven as sin and that is why we are to rid it from our houses. Yes, unleavened bread was eaten at Passover itself, but why would we now dedicate seven complete days and two holy convocations to “rid our sin” after YHWH’s judgment of Passover?
Let’s entertain another picture—the works of the Messiah. His mission is and was to take away the sins of the world, “for whom so ever believes will have eternal life” (Jn. 3:16) We also read:
“that he who believes in Him is not judged, but he who does not believe has been judged already because he has not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of Yahweh.” John 3:18
Through the works of Yeshua’s Name, judgment is given. In doing so, Yah shows a willingness to “cover” or skip over our house that has been formerly filled with leaven. I believe it is in this action that we will now willingly and gladly make room for the living Messiah in our homes. The apostle Paul writes, “to “rid ourselves of the old man.” Why? Because The Lamb has been slain. Rejoice and be glad—walk forward in new life.
Throughout Scripture, seven days mark a complete cycle of YHWH’s completed acts causing rest to occur. Having a convocation or Sabbath as book ends in the unleavened cycle seems to show a picture of being complete in Messiah. As we near a prophetic timeline of earth’s completed cycle are we ready to rejoice over the works of Messiah? Have we put the old man out and allowed Yeshua’s life which is free from leaven to fill us?
Another picture within the unleavened is found in I Corinthians 5:7-8:
“. . . Know you not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened. For even Messiah our Passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore, let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”
In this picture, Paul reminds us what can easily happen in a family or an assembly. The saying “one bad apple can spoil the batch” makes sense. When Israel left Egypt, they were a mixed multitude and it was some of these people that choose to bring malice into the body which at times called a great deal of confusion. Like today, “even the very elect will be deceived.” Are we prepared to guard against the deception of malice and wickedness?
Finally, let me stir up one last picture. In this picture, we see Yeshua Himself seated with His 12 disciples without fanfare or feast, but only as an intimate gathering. Like the experience of Israel in Egypt, it was a night of death but one that would bring about freedom from bondage. During the last hours that Yeshua spends with His few closest friends, He washes their feet, eats with them, gives them last-minute instructions and encouragement, and prays His “high priestly prayer” over them. He then goes out to face the sorrow, betrayal, rejection, and death for which He had come into the world. Though soon after, His body of unleavened bread would be spread to anyone who would choose to eat of it. Through His Works, He fulfilled the Promise.
So how do these pictures relate to us today? One obvious concern is the matter of preparation as our world’s economic and social structures collapse around us. Many of us want to be ready for impending doom so that we can live or at least survive. Naturally, I agree that there is a need for physical preparation–we are given the wisdom to do so. Though in light of the feast day pictures, is it more important for us to prepare spiritually or physically? Many of us would probably say, “both are good.” But in all honesty, the children of Israel and the disciples had nothing but a promise before the darkest hours turned into light. Their first step in preparation was to place the blood of the Lamb over their homes and hearts. From there, you know the rest of the story.
Be blessed,
Rollyn