Imagine this: It’s the night before freedom! The Israelites, living as slaves in the land of Egypt, are preparing for a meal unlike any other. This was the very first Passover, and it all began with special instructions from God.
According to Exodus 12, here's what happened: The children of Israel were told to choose a perfect lamb—one year old and without any blemishes. After preparing the lamb for the meal, they used its blood to mark their doorposts. Why? Because God promised that this mark would protect their homes during the final plague that struck Egypt.
As they ate this unique dinner, they had to be ready to leave Egypt at any moment. The meal wasn’t a slow, relaxed feast—it was eaten quickly and with purpose. They roasted the lamb over a fire and ate it with unleavened bread (flatbread) and bitter herbs. This meal wasn’t just food—it was a way for the Israelites to remember their history and the divine protection that brought them freedom!
The Passover meal and Feast of Unleavened Bread: Special Instructions
Following their escape from Egypt, God gave the Israelites very clear instructions on how to celebrate this Appointed Time (Feast) each year. These directions are found in Leviticus 23. Here’s what He told them:
- Passover meal: Every year, on the evening of the 14th day of the first month, the Israelites were to honor the Passover meal. This meal was a reminder of how God saved them from the land of Egypt and chose them as His people.
- The Feast of Unleavened Bread: For seven days, the Israelites were to eat unleavened bread, which symbolized the rush to leave Egypt. No leavened food (like fluffy bread) was allowed! This was also a time to reflect on their lives, remove spiritual "leaven" (things that lead them away from Yahweh), and renew their commitment to Him.
The Passover Meal
What made the Passover meal so special? Every part of it had a deeper meaning. Let’s take a closer look at what the Israelites ate:
- The Lamb: This wasn’t just any lamb. It had to be perfect because it represented sacrifice and redemption. Later, Yeshua the Messiah became the Passover Lamb who was slain. The blood of the lamb on the doorposts saved the Israelites from the plague.
- Unleavened Bread (Matzah): Matzah is flat, without yeast. Why? Because when the Israelites left Egypt, they didn’t have time for their bread to rise! Eating matzah reminds everyone of the urgency and excitement of that escape to freedom.
- Bitter Herbs: These sharp-tasting herbs symbolized the bitterness of slavery in the land of Egypt.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread starts on the 15th day of Nisan, the same month as Passover, at twilight. This is a seven-day feast, and the first and last days are to be Sabbaths. These Sabbaths differ from the weekly Sabbath and may occur on any day of the week. Just like all Biblical Feasts, the Passover meal and the Feast of Unleavened Bread ultimately point to Yeshua the Messiah.
