PASSOVER

A DAY TO REMEMBER

CONTINUED

Passover is Not a Sabbath

   The New Testament shows that the Passover was not a high day. As Yahshua and His disciples were eating, Yahshua said to Judas, "That you do, do quickly." John 13:27-29. This was on the 14th of Abib, and the gathered disciples did not know what was meant by that remark, but assumed because Judas was the treasurer, he was to "buy those things that we have need of against the Feast." Now, the Feast of Unleavened Bread followed the close of Passover, and certainly the disciples would not think it proper to buy items such as matzos (unleavened bread) on Passover day if it were a high Sabbath!

   We read in John 19:30 of the death of the Messiah. Verse 31 reveals that Passover day is the preparation for the high day of Abib 15. "Because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the tree on the Sabbath day (for that Sabbath day was an high day), besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away." In Verse 42 we learn that Yahshua was hurriedly placed in a new nearby sepulchre because the preparation day was about to end, and the first day of Unleavened Bread was about to be upon them. Abib 14, Passover, when the Messiah died, was not a high Sabbath, but the next day (Abib 15) was.

   Mark 15:21 relates that Simon, a Cyrenian, was compelled to carry the stake. The King James says he was coming out of the country, but the marginal rendering is "out of the field" and is so rendered by Philipps and others.

   According to Unger's Bible Dictionary, Simon was a Hellenistic Jew, born on the north coast of Africa, and present when the Holy Spirit was given at Pentecost, Acts 2:10. Why would a devout Jew be coming out of the field on Passover if that were a high Sabbath? Obviously the father of Rufus would be in the temple if it were, and not in the field apparently working. Mark 15:42 confirms that this was a preparation, the day before the high Sabbath of Abib 15.

Jews Merge Passover and Unleavened Bread

   It should also be remembered that the Jews at the time of the Messiah were celebrating Passover a day late, even as they do now. They have merged Passover with the first day of Unleavened Bread on the 15th of Abib. However, there is also a "seder service" kept in the home with the family on Abib 14 in which Exodus 12:26-27 is read and the entire account rehearsed.

   Under "Passover" in the Jewish Encyclopedia (p. 553) we note: "Two festivals, originally distinct have been merged. Their underlying ideas reappearing in both the legend associated with the holy day, and its assumed historical setting and occasion, and in their ritual."

Words Erroneously Added

   In the New Testament are examples of mistranslations that imply that the Passover is a holy day or feast. Matthew 26:2 quotes the Messiah as saying: "You know that after two days is the feast of the Passover." Note that the words "the feast of" have been added by the translators who did not understand the Old Testament and assumed that this was a feast. Yahshua's statement should be read deleting the italicized words "the feast of." Many translations, such as the New English Bible, translate this verse more correctly: "You know that in two days' time it will be Passover, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for impalement." Other versions reflecting this improved rendering include the Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard, and New International Version.

   Another problem text is Mark 14:1 where the words "feast of" were added, as indicated by italics. Mark 14:2 should be read "Not DURING the Feast lest there be an uproar among the people." Verse 12 refers to the season or time of Unleavened Bread which was preceded by the Passover sacrifice. The word killed is translated "when the Passover Lamb was sacrificed" in the Jerusalem Bible. "When the Passover lambs were being slaughtered" is the New English Bible's rendition.

   The time for Unleavened Bread had come to be referred to as the Passover, Luke 22:1. Verse seven reflects this, that the season of Unleavened Bread and Passover were thought of as almost synonymous. Today Christmas may mean the entire season as well.

No Punctuation in Old Manuscripts

   Special care must also be given to the punctuation appearing in the Bible. This is strictly the work of men. The Companion Bible note tells us, "None of our modern marks of punctuation are found until the ninth century, and then only in Latin versions and some cursives." There are times when the translators erred in placing commas, semi-colons, and paragraphs. As the comment continues: "From this it will be seen that the punctuation of all modern editions of the Greek text, and of all versions made from it, rests entirely on human authority, and has no weight whatever in determining or even influencing the interpretation of a single passage."

No Time for Immediate Departure

   From time to time the question arises that after the slaying of the firstborn whether the Israelites could have left Egypt after midnight while it was still dark. The reasoning goes that Moses knew as far back as Exodus 3:22 that the Israelites were to spoil the Egyptians and apparently did so after the ninth plague, Exodus 11:2-3. They draw their conclusions from interpreting Exodus 10:29 as a prophetic statement of Moses that Pharaoh would no more see him. Perhaps it was not the 15th, but the 14th that Israel left Egypt, they reason. Let's look at these contentions.

   The slaying of the lamb was to be kept "up until" the 14th of Abib. The 14th started when the sun set ending the 13th day. During this twilight period, the Israelites were to kill the lamb. Whether or not the wool was all cut off the lamb is not told, but it is a common practice to scrape the hide clean of hair to eliminate the acrid smell of burnt hair in the roasting process.

   In addition, it is customary to open the body cavity and remove the entrails, Leviticus 1:9. Even with a fire prepared and the roasting spit ready, all of this would take some time to get the animal prepared. The roasting itself of a yearling lamb would take several hours for it could not be eaten raw nor boiled in water, Exodus 12:9. Furthermore, the blood had to be sprinkled on the doorpost and lintel. Then the family and neighbors (if any) had to gather and eat of this pet lamb before midnight.

   At midnight the firstborn of Egypt were slain, including those in Pharaoh's household, Exodus 12:29. Just how long it would take the news of the dead to circulate through the land of Egypt and allow the populace to asses the magnitude of the plague is difficult to say, but it couldn't have been immediate.

Pharaoh's Farewell Fails

   Verse 30 tells of the great cry in Egypt when the discovery was made that death was present in every house. Pharaoh rose in the night and summoned Moses and Aaron to his court (New English and Jerusalem Bibles). His desire never to see Moses and Aaron again did not preclude His sending for Moses and Aaron under an entirely different set of circumstances, according to Keil and Delitzsch.

   A review of Exodus 10:28-29 in other translations reveals a conversation between Moses and Pharaoh that went something like this: Pharaoh: "Get out of here and don't ever let me see you here again. If you do, I'll kill you." Moses: "Okay, if that's the way you want it, I won't come back." Pharaoh was tired of having Moses approach him, each time threatening a new plague. But Pharaoh changed his mind after the Egyptian firstborn were killed, and asked to talk to Moses again, Exodus 12:31-32. Each plague had brought a softening in Pharaoh's heart, which he would subsequently harden. After the severe, final plague that killed his own firstborn, Pharaoh again called for Moses.

   The language used in Verses 31 and 32 certainly is indicative of a direct conversation. Were these words a mere message sent to Moses from Pharaoh, it would have been written differently. For the first time Pharaoh requests, "Go and bless me also." Before, he had asked them only to intercede for the removal of the plagues.

   None of the writings of Moses mention where Pharaoh was lodging when he called for Moses. Psalm 78:12 says it was at Zoan (Tanis) on the eastern bank of the Tanitic arm of the Nile (see also Isaiah 19:11-12). The Israelites were in Goshen, a land between Egypt and Palestine. Joseph went to meet his father in Goshen, who was coming from the land of Canaan. Goshen was not near the rich croplands of the Nile, yet it was good for pasture, Genesis 47:4-6. It is also referred to as the land of Rameses. Moses would be with his people in the land of Goshen, perhaps in either Rameses or Heropolis.

   After assessing the havoc wrought by the destroying angel, Pharaoh decided to summon Moses and Aaron. It would not be presumptuous to agree with some of the commentators that an hour or two would have elapsed before the extent of the deaths was determined and the decision made to summon Moses. Even with a superior charioteer and his team, it would take at least an hour to traverse the 30 miles to Goshen and pick up Moses and Aaron, and another hour to return to Zoan.

   The discussion may have been short and urgent. But by now it would be nearing 4:30 a.m. Assuming Moses complied with Pharaoh's wish for a blessing upon him, Moses would then be returned to Goshen by the royal chariot. Daylight would be breaking in the eastern sky as he neared the camp of Israel.

   There was probably very little sleep in the houses of Israel as they waited guardedly for morning so they could burn the remainder of the Passover lamb. They had been warned not to go out of their houses until daybreak.

   After this final plague the Egyptians were terrified, Exodus 12:34, and urged Israel to get out of the land because they feared "we all be dead men." With their clothes upon their backs, their kneading troughs and dough wrapped up, the Israelites made preparations for leaving. Verses 35 and 36 make it obvious that this last plague made the Egyptians even more generous in giving the people the jewels of silver and gold as well as raiment. Evidently, they felt that a few trinkets and clothing was a cheap price to pay to get rid of these Israelites and save their own lives.

To Move a City

   It must be remember that there were 2 to 3 million Israelites embarking on their wilderness journey. In addition, they had to round up their herds and flocks and "very much cattle," Verse 38 (which would be difficult at  night, even under a full moon). Anyone who has made preparations to go on a camping trip with children and animals can attest to the organized confusion that exists. This problem for Israel was compounded by the enormity of sheer numbers of people and livestock that were to leave as an orderly "harnessed" people, Exodus 13:18. In addition, we know that a mixed multitude left with Israel, 12:38.

   Israel's exodus from Egypt can be compared with taking all the people in a city the size of San Francisco or Dallas or St. Louis and moving them and their animals out within a day. The magnitude of the venture boggles the mind.

   Those who argue that Israel left within an hour or two after the death angel passed on the 14th are not considering the logistical problems that poses, nor Yahweh's clear command that they were to remain in their homes until morning (Exodus 12:22), nor the fact that they had to burn the next MORNING whatever remained of the Passover (12:10) so they wouldn't eat it as leftovers, nor the fact that they had to first spoil the Egyptians (12:35), nor the Bible's crystal clear statement that they left on the 15th. The 15th began more than 18 hours after Passover's midnight.

   "Morning" as used in these verses could not mean right after midnight. The word is from the Hebrew "boker," and means breaking of day or dawn. The day began with evening and was followed by morning. The days of creation attest to this: "And the evening and morning were the first day...and the evening and morning were the second day," etc. Genesis uses the same word "boker" for morning--the dawning daylight portion of the 24-hour day.

   With all this activity, it was night when Israel finally left as the 15th began (Deuteronomy 16:1). It was the day after the Passover, Numbers 33:3. The first day of Unleavened Bread was a convocation, as they gathered to march out of Egypt. It was a time of rejoicing.

   Should there be any confusion over the 14th and 15th, a check in the concordance will show that five times the Bible says the 14th is the Passover, the 15th is the Feast--two separate occasions, two separate commemorations. Passover is a solemn time, much like a funeral; the 15th--the first day of Unleavened Bread--is a time for jubilation and happiness.

Messiah Will Keep Passover Again

   We know from the promises of the Messiah that He will be keeping the Passover again when He returns, Luke 22:16. It will be with new meaning and new emphasis. But it will be kept at the proper time. Just as the early apostles celebrated the Passover at the correct time with the Messiah, so we should also keep the Passover at the beginning of the 14th of Abib.

   The apostles did not fully understand that they were keeping Passover not only in remembering Israel's exodus, but also in anticipation of Yahshua's death. We keep it in commemoration of the sparing of Israel by the blood of the lamb and also the sparing of ourselves by the blood of the true Lamb. We also look forward to keeping the Passover with the Messiah and the Apostles in the resurrection.

   Once we recognize that Yahshua IS the Passover whose blood was shed for the sin of the world, we are to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread, 1 Corinthians 5:7-8. Note the clarity of the Moffatt version: "Messiah our Paschal Lamb has been sacrificed. So let us celebrate our festival, not with any old leaven, not with vice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of innocence and integrity."

Spiritual Follows Physical

   Mankind learns spiritual truth through physical lessons. A number of people always object to taking the time and effort to rid their homes of leaven during the Days of Unleavened Bread. They would prefer to do it "in their heart." This simply means they think nice thoughts about it but do not actually remove leaven from their house and keep it out for seven days. Such an attitude is pure rebellion. Unless we have willingly carried out these commands written in Yahweh's Word, we cannot qualify to become a king or priest in the Kingdom. Yahweh is asking for a physical act in order to test our faith in Him. Peter at first refused the physical act of foot-washing, until Yahshua told him that unless he did so, he would have no part in Yahshua, John 13:4-10.

   Isaiah 66:23 foretells of the future worship of Yahweh from one Sabbath to another. This means that the weekly Sabbath will be a way of life. The annual Sabbaths will also be followed. Ezekiel 45 prophetically tells of these Feast days to be observed in the Kingdom. Verse 21 explains the Passover, followed by the days of Unleavened Bread.

   It is important to note that the day of Atonement is not mentioned in Ezekiel 45. This will be the time that Yahshua will be ruling on the earth. Right now He is our High Priest in the Heavens, making intercession for us with the Father. He is our Advocate, our Mediator, while fulfilling that office of Priest.

   He already fulfilled the office of prophet when he was here on this earth and foretold the future in the Olivet prophecy found in Matthew 24, Luke 21, and Mark 13. The office of King will be filled when the Messiah returns to earth to rule with a rod of iron, Revelation 2:26-27. He will be the reigning Monarch, no longer a High Priest. He will have fulfilled that office. Therefore, the Atonement will have been made. Yahshua will have fulfilled the priestly function of offering the sacrifice to be accepted by Yahweh Himself. We will no longer have to look for His return, symbolized by the high priest coming out of the Holy of Holies, Leviticus 16:15-17.

Train Now for a Kingdom Role

   After the Messiah's return to this earth, it will be up to the glorified saints to minister and teach the ways of Yahweh. It will be up to those who are in training now to show others then the righteousness in following the way of the Word. Isaiah 58:12 speaks of this group of people who will build up the waste places and restore pure worship.

   Now is the time when we learn of Yahweh's way so that we can qualify to become teachers and helpers in the Kingdom. All nations will be forced to worship Yahweh in the manner that He offers to you now as a volunteer. You can become a part of the administration of that Kingdom.

Examples Numerous, Become One

   The Feast days will be kept when the Messiah returns. He observed them when He walked this earth.  The early disciples kept them and the ekklesia followed in observing all of them. It wasn't until the Jewish leaders of the congregations died off and were replaced by those of gentile background that the pagan influences such as lent, Easter, Christmas, Valentines and Halloween came to be sanctioned by church authorities to become a part of worship. These unbiblical observances gained acceptance and grew rapidly as the early assembly lost its Jewish flavor.

   Join us in observing the holy days of Leviticus 23 and prepare to become a priest and king, 1 Peter 2:5,9. Qualify to help others learn Yahweh's way of righteousness, when all flesh will come to worship Him on HIS days, Isaiah 66:23. How can we bring judgment upon someone for not keeping His holy days if we have not kept them ourselves? Today a judge on the bench gains his experiences first as a lawyer, trying cases in court.

   Even now we should be learning Yahweh's law so it can become a part of us and we can apply it to others in the Kingdom.

   Are you willing to learn these laws now so that you can be a teacher and explain them to others? Israel was to be a kingdom of priests, but failed to learn Yahweh's laws. Instead, they followed the way of the heathen. Now He is calling you to become a better teacher, because the New Covenant is built upon better promises, Hebrews 8:6.

   Claim those promises waiting for you.

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