THE COMMANDED OBSERVANCES AND HOLY CONVOCATIONS PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE VOLUME II By B.L. Cocherell Contributor V.O. Jones i
THE COMMANDED OBSERVANCES AND HOLY CONVOCATIONS PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE VOLUME II Copyright 2013 B.L. Cocherell Revised 2015 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except as noted in the mission statement. ISBN 978-09844608-3-0 Printed in the United States by Morris Publishing 3212 East Highway 30 Kearney, NE, 68847 Telephone 1-800-650-7888 Book Number P15923 ii
PREFACE The Bible is unique. It is the only book that has the answers to the basic questions of life and claims to be written by the true God. This book tells humanity who its Creator is, why it was created, and its ultimate destiny. Although the Bible reveals the awesome purpose for human existence, it does so in a carefully coded message. The studies that we present reveal much of what is contained in these messages that has not been taught or understood since the demise and disappearance of the early church as a powerful spirit filled entity. OUR GOALS Our primary goal is to share our knowledge and understanding of the Sovereign God's plan and purpose for humanity with those who are interested in living their lives according to the law of God, not by the dictates and traditions of men. Our secondary goal is to proclaim the coming Kingdom of God as a warning and a witness to humanity before the Messiah returns to rule the earth. We hope that you will find this study of God's word intellectually challenging and spiritually enlightening and beneficial. If you want to know more about us, the work we are doing, or how you can participate in our biblically based educational and research projects, contact us at: www.bibleresearch.org or Bible-Prophecy.net Sincerely, B. L.Cocherell iii
Table of Contents Introduction And Overview Of The Commanded Observances And Holy Convocations 1 Chapter 1 Ancient Israel And The Days Of Unleavened Bread 11 Chapter 2 The Lift Offering 21 Chapter 3 Symbolic Meanings Of Egypt And Leavening 29 Chapter 4 The Early Church And The Festival Of Unleavened Bread 39 Chapter 5 Questions, Answers, Comments Concerning Leavening 49 Chapter 6 The Feast Of Weeks 51 Chapter 7 Pentecost 30 A.D 61 Chapter 8 Where The Name And Presence Of God Resides On Earth 75 Chapter 9 A Day Of Beginnings And Endings 89 Chapter 10 Pentecost, The Day Jesus Returns 97 Chapter 11 The Lift Offering And The Counting Of Pentecost 109 Chapter 12 The Feast Of Trumpets 117 Chapter 13 The Day Of Atonement 137 Chapter 14 The Day Of Atonement Rituals 141 Chapter 15 The Day Of Atonement During The Gospel Age 161 Chapter 16 Sin And The Day Of Atonement 179 Chapter 17 Fasting And Cessation Of Work On The Day Of Atonement 191 Chapter 18 Should Christians Fast On The Day Of Atonement 195 iv
Chapter 19 Important Events On The Day Of Atonement 215 Chapter 20 The Seven-Day Festival Of The Seventh Month 221 Chapter 21 The Festival Of Sokkot 225 Chapter 22 The Festival Of Ingathering 237 Chapter 23 Comments Concerning The Festival of Shelters/Ingathering 245 Chapter 24 The Festival Of The Eighth Day 251 Chapter 25 The Number 8 And The Festival Of The Eighth Day 255 Chapter 26 Beyond The Great Harvest 273 Chapter 27 The Worship Of God And The Celebration Of The Weekly Sabbath And Annual Festivals 283 Chapter 28 Worship, Praise, And Prayer 321 Chapter 29 Analysis Of The Formal Assembly Of the Elect 333 Chapter 30 Salvation And The Commanded Observances 341 Chapter 31 How to Recognize Those Who Truly Follow Christ 345 Chapter 32 The Observances, Holy Convocations, And Temple Worship System After Christ Returns 351 Chapter 33 The Sacrificial System After Christ's Return 361 Chapter 34 The Sovereign Father's Worship System 385 Chapter 35 Maintaining Good Relations With God 405 Mission Statement This Work 423 Our Goals 423 If You Want To Know More 423 v
Other Books By B.L. Cocherell The Commanded Observances And Holy Convocations Past, Present, And Future -- Volume I 424 Who Is God? What Is The Bible And Its Message? 424 Biblical Prophecies Past, Present, And Future 425 The Gift Of Immortality 425 Human Life - Death And Beyond 425 Survive And Thrive As A Follower Of Christ 426 Biblical Law Past, Present, And Future 426 Our Place In The Spirit Realm Gods Angels Demons 426 Synagogue Of Satan And Doctrines Of Demons 427 Book Orders And Donation Information 427 vi
INTRODUCTION TO THE ANNUAL OBSERVANCES AND FESTIVALS The annual observances and festivals are not just days God arbitrarily chose as holidays for the nation of Israel. God had a purpose and plan for humanity before their creation, and this purpose and plan is revealed through the literal, prophetic, and symbolic meaning that God has placed within each of his very special observances. It is through the observance and study of these annual observances and festivals that one can gain many awesome insights into the minds of God the Father and Jesus Christ and into their plan for the future of humanity. Each commanded observance is unique in its meaning and purpose; however, all the observances are interrelated in their contribution to God's plan for the salvation of humanity. Moreover, each observance has a literal, symbolic, and prophetic meaning concerning the people, places, times, and events in God's plan. The annual observances that God commanded Israel to observe were times of great rejoicing. These were times when all Israelite males were to present themselves before God to formally worship him and bring him the required tribute and freewill offerings. These observances were to be times of national thanksgiving and rejoicing, which showed appreciation for the great blessings the Creator God had bestowed upon national Israel. Later in this study, it will be shown that these days also hold a great importance to those who are called to salvation during the ages prior to and after the return of Jesus Christ as King of kings. Three Festival Seasons "Three times you shall keep a feast to me in the year. You shall keep the feast of unleavened bread: (you shall eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded you, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it you came out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:) And the feast of harvest, the first-fruits of your labors, which you have sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when you have gathered in your labors out of the field. Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord God" (Ex.23:14-17 KJV). In these verses, the English word feast is a translation from the Hebrew word hag, which is used to denote keeping a feast or celebrating a holiday, and it is usually used to describe the three pilgrimage feasts of God (i.e., the Passover season, the Feast of Pentecost, and the Feast of Shelters/Ingathering). The noun hag means pilgrim-feast or holiday (i.e., a day or season of religious joy). 1
Although the nation as a whole was supposed to worship God in the place where he placed his name, learn his ways, and rejoice before him, a specific command was given to every male Israelite to appear before him during these three festival seasons: "Three times in the year every male of yours shall be seen before the face of the Lord, the God of Israel. For I will expel nations from before your face, and you will make broad your borders; and no one shall covet your land, as you go up to appear before the Lord your God three times in the year" (Ex.34:23-24 Para.). Because observing these festivals meant that many of the Israelites would leave their property unprotected, God promised that their property would remain safe while they attended the annual observances and festivals. One of the reasons the males of Israel were to appear before God during the three festival seasons was that they represented the leadership of Israel and bore within their flesh the outward sign (i.e., circumcision) that the nation of Israel was under the terms and conditions of the Abramic Covenant (Gen.17:10-14). "Three times in a year shall all your males appear before the Lord your God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of shelters" (Deut.16:16 Para.). The three festival seasons fell within the three main agricultural seasons of Palestine: The spring harvest of barley; the early summer harvest of wheat; and the fall harvest of fruit. The three festival seasons contained the following commanded observances and festivals: Spring: The Passover commanded observance The Days of Unleavened Bread a seven day festival The First Day of Unleavened Bread a festival and commanded assembly The Lift Offering an offering of the first grain of the barley harvest The Last Day of Unleavened Bread a festival and commanded assembly Early Summer: The Feast of Weeks, commonly called The Day of Pentecost a festival and commanded assembly 2
Fall: The Feast of Trumpets a festival and commanded assembly The Day of Atonement a festival and commanded assembly The Feast of Shelters/Ingathering a seven day festival The First Day of the Feast of Shelters/Ingathering a festival and commanded assembly The Festival of the Eighth Day a festival and commanded assembly The Worship of God From the first chapter of the Book of Genesis to the last chapter of the Book of Revelation, God reveals and gives instructions on how to worship him in order to receive the blessings that he wants to give. One of the very first things the Israelites were told to do when they entered the promised land was to completely destroy and erase all traces of the pagan worship system that existed there: Deuteronomy 12:1-4 KJV "These are the statutes and judgments, which you shall observe to do in the land, which the Lord your God gives you to possess it, all the days that you live upon the earth. You shall utterly destroy all the places, within the nations which you shall possess wherein they served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: And you shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and you shall cut down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place. You shall not do so to the Lord your God" (vs.1-4). A very important thing to keep in mind as you study the Bible is that God wants to be worshiped in a certain way and he will not accept any other method of worship. Any method of worship that God has not sanctioned is considered sin: a pollution and perversion of his law of worship. Any deviation from God's lawful worship system always leads people away from him and his purpose and plan for humanity. Therefore, he told the Israelites to eliminate these objectionable practices and objects of worship from the land they were to inherit. God alone would choose the place, the methods, and the times in which Israel should come before him in formal worship. Seek God "But to the place which the Lord your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even to his habitation shall you seek, and there you shall come" (Deut.12:5 Para.). In this verse, the English word seek is translated from the Hebrew word darash, which can mean pursuit, search, seek, ask, or worship. 3
The Israelites were to go to the place were God placed his name and presence. There, they were to commune with God, pay homage to him, reverence him, and do his will. There, they were to seek him through obedience and worship. Where God placed his name and presence was the only place on earth where these things could be accomplished in a formal way because this was where the presence of God resided. Rejoice Before God Deuteronomy 16:11, 13-15 KJV "And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your maidservant, and the Levite that is within your gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the Lord your God has chosen to place his name there" (v11). Anyone who was considered a part of national Israel, regardless of their personal status (e.g., child, servant, slave, or proselyte), was to observe the festivals of God by worshiping and rejoicing before him: "You shall observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that you have gathered in your grain and your wine: And you shall rejoice in your feast, you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your maid servant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within your gates. Seven days you shall keep a solemn feast to the Lord your God in the place where he shall choose; because the Lord your God shall bless you in all your increase, and in all the works of your hands; therefore, you shall surely rejoice" (vs.13-15). The Israelites had a great deal to rejoice about throughout the year as they lived their lives under the guidance and protection of the Creator God. As they came to these very special days, they were to remember that they were the only nation and people on the earth that God claimed as his personal treasure and children. They were the only people on earth that God had personally chosen to represent him on earth. They were the only people on earth whom God had personally promised to bless and care for. The Israelites truly had a great deal about which to rejoice. A Time of Remembrance "And you shall remember that you were a bondsman in Egypt: and you shall observe and do these statutes" (Deut.16:12 KJV). Each annual observance reminded the Israelites of their national captivity and slavery in Egypt and that God had brought them out of this slavery and made them his children. 4
A Time to Sacrifice and Bring Tribute "And there you shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and of your flocks" (Deut.12:6 Para.). "You shall truly tithe all the increase of your seed, that the field brings forth year by year" (Deut.14:22 KJV). "And you shall keep the feast of weeks to the Lord your God with a tribute of a freewill offering of your hand, which you shall give to the Lord your God, according as the Lord your God has blessed you:" (Deut.16:10 KJV). "And none shall appear before me empty:" (Ex.23:15 KJV). See also Lev.23:37-38. Tithes and Freewill Offerings The annual festivals were a time when the Israelites were to bring the tithe of the land and freewill offerings to present to God. All who worked the land and received an increase from it were to set apart a certain amount of this increase to be used as God directed. The increase of the land was to be divided into three tenths (tithes), which were each intended for a specific purpose. The First Tenth "And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service when they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation" (Num.18:21 KJV). See also Deut.14:28-29. God required the first tenth to be given for the support of the priesthood and the Levites who performed the many services, which God required as a part of his system of worship. The Festival Tenth The second tenth was to only be used for the purpose of celebrating and enjoying the annual observances and festivals: "You may not eat within your gates your tenth of your grain, or of your wine, or of your oil" (Deut.12:17; 14:23 Para.). These annual days of worship were such an important part of God's worship system that he required a full tenth of the increase from the land of Israel to be used by the Israelites to attend and enjoy these festivals. 5
Deuteronomy 14:23-27 Paraphrased "And you shall eat before the Lord your God, in the place where he shall choose to place his name, the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and your oil, and the first of your herds and of your flocks; that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always" (v23). "If the trip is to distant from you, and you are not able to carry it there; or if the place be too far from you, which the Lord your God shall choose to set his name there, when the Lord God has blessed you: Then turn it into money, and bind up the money in your hand, and go to the place where the Lord your God shall choose" (vs.24-25). "And you shall use that money for whatever your soul seeks after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatever your soul desires: and you shall eat there before the Lord your God and rejoice, you, and your household, And don't forget the Levite that is within your gates; for he has no part nor inheritance with you" (vs.26-27). The Tenth for the Poor Every third year, a tenth of the increase was to be brought and given for the support of widows, orphans, and strangers in need: "And at the end of three years you shall bring forth all the tenth of your increase the same year, and shall lay it up within your gates: And the Levite, (because he has no part nor inheritance with you), and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within your gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do" (Deut.14:28-29 Para.). See also Deut.ch.12 & 14. The Freewill Offerings "Three times in a year shall all your males appear before the Lord your God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of shelters; and they shall not appear before the Lord empty: but each with a gift in his hand, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which he has given you" (Deut.16:16-17 Para.). See also Ex. 23:15. In addition to the tenth of their increase, the festival tenth, and the tenth for the poor, God required all Israelite males to come before him to present him with a freewill offering to show their appreciation for his blessings. 6
Blessings for Obedience If the Israelites were faithful in their observance of the annual festivals and in bringing the required tithes and offerings to God at the place where he placed his name and presence, he promised to give them unimaginable physical blessings: "Bring you all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and prove me now, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, says the Lord of hosts" (Mal.3:10-11 Para.). Learn to Worship the Lord "And you shall eat before the Lord your God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks; that you may learn to fear [i.e., revere/respect] the Lord your God always" (Deut.14:23 KJV). In order to be at peace with God and to perform his will in their lives, the Israelites had to learn to love, revere, and respect God. A major part of this learning process concerned contact with God through the formal worship system at the place he chose to place his name and presence. There, the people would fulfill their obligations for tithes, tribute, offerings, and freewill gifts to God. And they were to remember, speak of, and meditate on the great things that God had done and was doing for them individually and as a nation. Through the repetition of the annual observances and festivals and practicing God's law and way of life, the Israelites were constantly reminded of God's greatness and his love and concern for them. UNDER THE NEW AGREEMENT With the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the new agreement between God and his people, many of the literal, symbolic, and prophetic meanings of the annual festivals were fulfilled. However, there are still many that have not yet been fulfilled, and there is still much to be learned and understood about the plan of God as pictured by these annual observances and festivals. Under the new agreement, these festivals must be observed in light of their present meaning and purpose as we wait for the return of Jesus Christ as King of kings at the end of this age. 7
The Place of Worship While the temple in Jerusalem existed and was attended by the priesthood, anyone who wanted to perform certain acts of worship could do so at Jerusalem. However, after the temple was destroyed in 70 A.D., there was no place for the priesthood to officiate or perform sacrifices. Today, the Father's name rests upon his children, and his presence dwells within their flesh through the power of his holy spirit. Anyone who has the name and presence of the Father dwelling within them is a temple of God on earth. See 1.Cor.3:16-17; 6:19-20; Eph.2:19-22. Within this temple of flesh, the law of God is written in the hearts of his children (Jer.31:31-34; Heb.8:7-11). As long as they live within this temple of flesh, they have the authority to communicate, serve, and worship the Father wherever they are and receive daily spiritual nourishment to sustain them as they journey through life. Within the children of God is the most holy place on earth; it is where the spirit of God resides and where God the Father and Jesus Christ meet with those who are called to salvation. A worshiper of God no longer has to go to a physical temple to offer sacrifices or to keep the annual observances: all annual observances can now be observed anywhere a child of God is or wherever one desires to fellowship with other children of God and worship God the Father. Assemble Together Although assembling together is not a requirement for salvation, it should be a highly desirable and profitable part of one's spiritual growth process. The writer to the Hebrews exhorts those who are called to salvation and are serious about their calling and spiritual growth to meet together: "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke to love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching" (Heb.10:23-25 KJV). SUMMARY There is no doubt that the commanded observances and festivals must be observed by the elect of God, and that an understanding and proper observance of these special days is an important part of one's spiritual growth process and walk with God. The following is a list of the major things that can be learned through the observance and study of these special days: 8
Each reveals many great and wonderful insights into the mind of God the Father and Jesus Christ and into their plan for the future of humanity. Each observance and festival has its own literal, symbolic, and prophetic meaning for the elect of God and humanity as a whole. Each pictures the past, present, and future of specific events and situations in God's plan for the salvation of humanity. Each teaches the great concern, compassion, and love that God the Father and Jesus Christ have for humanity. Each shows the tremendous care with which the Father and Jesus Christ made their plan for the salvation of humanity. Each reveals the way to eternal and immortal life in the Family of God. The Father wants his children to be happy. He is not the stern harsh God that he has so often been pictured to be. One of the ways that he has provided for our happiness and our growth and development in righteous character is through his special observances. These observances and festivals are specifically set apart for our physical and spiritual rejuvenation as we live our lives in anticipation of the rewards that he has promised for faithful obedience to his law and way of life. Hopefully, the following study into each of the annual festivals will give you a greater understanding and appreciation for God's plan for your personal salvation and the salvation of humanity. By B. L. Cocherell b5w45 9
NOTES AND COMMENTS 10
CHAPTER ONE ANCIENT ISRAEL AND THE DAYS OF UNLEAVENED BREAD After many years of exile Moses, the adopted son of Pharaoh's daughter (Ex.12), returned to Egypt demanding the release of the Israelites on behalf of the Creator God. Because of Pharaoh's refusal to free the Israelites, God began to systematically destroy Egypt through the hand of Moses. As Moses pronounced plague after plague upon Egypt, Pharaoh continued to refuse to free the Israelites because he did not believe in the God of Moses. The Nile river turned into blood, fish died by the millions, and the stench from the river of blood and dead fish filled the land. Swarms of frogs, flies, locusts, and lice plagued the land, and a terrifying hail of fire destroyed what little of the crops the insect plague did not consume. Cattle died of a mysterious disease. A strange, eerie darkness blanketed the land for three days. Terror gripped the population of one of the world's most advanced and prosperous nations. Egypt was on the brink of collapse, but Pharaoh still refused to give the Israelites their freedom. The Final Ultimatum Because of Pharaoh's refusal to free the Israelites, God instructed Moses to give Pharaoh one more opportunity to let his people go. If Pharaoh still refused to release the children of Israel after this last warning, God said he would kill all the firstborn of Egypt. Knowing full well that the God of Moses had already destroyed most of Egypt, Pharaoh still refused to let the Israelites go. Moses and Aaron returned to warn the Israelites of this final plague and they instructed them to prepare to make a sacrifice to God in order to avoid being killed by the destroyer: "I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and kill all of the firstborn of Egypt, both man and beast: and I will execute my judgment against all the gods of Egypt: I am the Lord. And the blood [blood of the sacrificial lamb] that you place on your house will show me where you are. And when I see this blood I will passover you, and spare you from death, when I strike the land of Egypt with death" (Ex.12:12-13 Para.). See also Ex.12:23-38. 11
During and After the Passover When the Israelites heard the cries of mourning from the Egyptians who were not protected by the lambs' blood, they knew that God had again made a difference between the Israelites and the Egyptians. Every firstborn man, woman, child and animal throughout the land of Egypt that was not protected by the blood of the lamb was killed. From the palace of the Pharaoh to the hovel of the lowest Egyptian serf, every home that the destroyer visited was filled with sorrow. The terror and apprehension generated among the unprotected by this final plague from God was enormous. After midnight on the 15 th day of Nisan and the passing-over of the destroyer, the Israelites were finally freed by Pharaoh. Note: It is important to point out that the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread cannot be separated, because together they picture the sequence of God's plan and process of salvation. The second part of the Passover observance (the eating of the lamb) actually began at the end of the 14 th day of Nisan and the beginning of the 15 th day after sunset on the first day of Unleavened Bread. Therefore, the Feast of Unleavened Bread is an integral part and a continuation of the process which began with the sacrifice of the Passover lamb. Israel's Departure Before the lamb's sacrifice at the end of the 14 th day, the Israelites had taken much of the wealth of the Egyptians (Ex.3:21-22; 11:2-3) and were packed and ready to leave Egypt (Ex.12:10-11). After the destroyer passed through the land of Egypt, Pharaoh issued a command for the Israelites to leave Egypt (Ex.12:30-34). During the early morning hours of the 15 th day, while it was still dark, the Israelites began to gather and leave Egypt: "And they departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the day after the Passover the children of Israel went out with a high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians" (Num.33:3 KJV). 430 Years in Egypt "Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. It is a night to be much observed to the Lord for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the Lord to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations" (Ex.12:40-42 Para.). 12
There are two important points in this text concerning the Israelites and their departure from Egypt: 1. God instructed Jacob who was the last of the Patriarchs to receive conformation of God's promises made to Abraham (Gen.46:2-7) to go into Egypt where his descendants would become a great nation. 2. Within the safety and security of Egypt, Jacob's descendants multiplied into a large nation. However, while they were in Egypt, they became lax in obedience to God and lost most of the knowledge of him and his laws. Thus, they brought to fulfillment the prophecy of their 430 year sojourn and slavery in Egypt, which was told to Abraham. Exactly 430 years from the day Jacob, his sons, and their families entered Egypt, God caused Pharaoh to release the Israelites from their captivity. The date of Israel's initial entry into Egypt and the date of their departure was no accident nor was it arbitrarily chosen by God. Remember that the sun, moon, and stars were placed in their specific orbits in order for man to be able to calculate the time of year to observe God's commanded assemblies, observances, and festivals. The symbolic value of the number 430 shows the great care and planning necessary to bring the nation of Israel to this exact place and time in history. The number 400 is the product of 8x50. One of the meanings of the number 8 is a new beginning. The number 50 is the product of 5x10: 5 is symbolic of grace, and 10 is symbolic of God's law. It is through God's grace and his law that one finds a new beginning and a release from one's old ways. The number 50, is therefore, symbolic of deliverance, release, freedom, and rest. The number 30 is the product of 3x10. One of the symbolic meanings of 3 is divine perfection. Therefore, the number 30 denotes in a higher degree, the perfection of divine order, such as the perfect timing of an event (e.g., Christ began his ministry at age 30, Lk.3:23). The symbolic meaning of the number 430 constitutes a divine perfection of time and the culmination of an event that is divinely guided. And this event (the Israelites leaving Egypt) was divinely guided in order to initiate God's plan for the salvation of humanity, which is shown through the literal, prophetic, and symbolic meanings of the Passover and the annual festivals. 13
A FESTIVAL OF BEGINNINGS "Three times you shall keep a feast to me in the year. You shall keep the feast of unleavened bread: (you shall eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded you, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it you came out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:) And the feast of harvest, the first fruits of your labors, which you have sown in the field: Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord God" (Ex.23:14-17 KJV). "Three times in a year shall all your males appear before the Lord your God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles:" (Deut.16:16 KJV). The Days of Unleavened Bread begin the annual festivals of God. These days are unique because they picture five major beginnings within the plan of God for the salvation of humanity: 1. The beginning of the process of salvation through Jesus Christ as the sacrificial Passover lamb of God the Savior of humanity. 2. The beginning of coming out of a life of bondage and slavery to sin through repentance. 3. The beginning of the process of spiritual growth by remaining sinless and practicing righteousness. 4. The Lift offering through which Jesus Christ is revealed as the beginning of the Father's new creation his firstborn son. 5. The beginning of the counting toward the Festival of Weeks (Pentecost count 50), which pictures those of the first resurrection and their transformation into sons of God through the power of the holy spirit. Exodus 12:14-17 KJV "And this day shall be for you a memorial; and you shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; you shall keep it a feast by an ordinance forever" (v14). A Memorial And A Festival In verse 14, the English word feast is translated from the Hebrew word hag, which has the connotation of demanding that a celebration or festival be kept. The day on which the Passover was eaten (the first day of Unleavened Bread) was to be a memorial festival commemorating the day of Israel's departure from Egypt and it was to be observed forever. 14
A Seven Day Festival "Seven days shall you eat unleavened bread; even the first day you shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel" (v15). See also Ex.34:18; Num.28:17. The following are three important things to note in verse 15: 1. Unleavened bread must be eaten during all seven of the days of Unleavened Bread. 2. Leavening products must be removed from the houses sometime before the beginning of the first day of the feast. 3. Anyone who eats leavened bread during these seven days will be cut off from Israel. Notice the warning of punishment in the last part of verse 15 for anyone who eats leavened bread during these seven days. Why did God consider the eating of leavened bread during these days such a serious violation? There are two primary reasons for this severe punishment for the willful disobedience of God's instructions not to eat leavened bread during this festival: The eating of unleavened bread was a part of the covenant relationship between the Creator and the Israelites. Therefore, anyone who disregarded God's instructions were not entitled to the benefits of this relationship and must be removed from Israel. This physical punishment foreshadows the eternal punishment for those who disregard God's instructions concerning the real, symbolic, and prophetic meaning of leavening as it relates to those under the New Covenant and their righteousness. See Heb.6:4-6, 8;10:26-29. Two Commanded Assemblies "And the first day there shall be a holy convocation, and the seventh day there shall be a holy convocation to you: no manner of work shall be done in them, except that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you" (v17). On both the first and last days of the festival there is a commanded assembly of the people and a prohibition of all work except that which is done in order to prepare food. "And you shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall you observe this day in your generations by an ordinance forever" (Ex.12:17 KJV). See also Deut.16:1; Ezk.45:21. 15
Again, we see the primary reason that the Israelites are supposed to keep this feast is for the purpose of reminding them of the day in which the Lord brought them out of Egypt. How important was this day? For the Israelites, it was very important because it pictured their release from years of physical bondage and slavery. Prophetically, it pointed toward humanity's release from the bondage, slavery, and the penalty of sin through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. See also Gal.3:16-19. Exodus 13:3-10 KJV This first day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover meal was eaten was one of the most important days in human history. What could be more important than the day that God began his plan through the nation of Israel to redeem all of humanity from its self-imposed death penalty? "And Moses said to the people, Remember this day in which you came out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place: there shall no more leavened bread be eaten" (v3). Remember This Day Just as God had instructed the Israelites to keep the Passover service as a reminder of the meaning of the events which led to their dramatic release from Egypt, he also instructed them to keep the first day of Unleavened Bread as a memorial festival to remind them of their departure from Egypt. This commanded festival is also passed on to the followers of Christ and to those who live after his return as King of kings and Lord of lords to rule the earth. "This day came you out in the month Abib. And it shall be when the Lord shall bring you into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he swore to your fathers to give you a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall keep this service in this month" (vs.4-5). Verses 4 and 5 show that one of the reasons God freed the Israelites was to fulfill his promise to their forefathers. "Seven days, you shall eat unleavened Bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the Lord" (v6). Unleavened bread must be eaten for seven days and, like on the first day, the seventh day is a day of feasting. "Unleavened Bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall be no leavened bread be seen with you, neither shall there be leaven seen with you in all your quarters" (v7). 16
Notice that not only is it mandatory to eat unleavened bread during these seven days but also there is a prohibition against having any leavened bread within the boundaries of the Israelites' personal property and the nation as a whole. "And you shall show your son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the Lord did to me when I came forth out of Egypt" (v8). Again, we see that the events of the Passover and the subsequent departure of the Israelites were to be rehearsed on this first day of the festival. "And it shall be for a sign to you upon your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that the Lord's law may be in your mouth: for with a strong hand has the Lord brought you out of Egypt. You shall therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year" (vs.9-10). The proper observance of this festival was meant to keep the Israelites continually conscious of God, his laws, and the knowledge that it was God who gave them their freedom. The First Born "And it shall be when the Lord shall bring you into the land of the Canaanites, as he swore to your fathers, and shall give it to you, That you shall set apart all that opens the matrix, and every firstling that comes of the beast which you have; the males shall be the lord's. And every firstling of an ass you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you do not redeem it then you shall break his neck; and all the firstborn of man among your children you shall redeem" (vs. 11-13). Prior to freeing the Israelites from Egypt, God proclaimed that the nation was his firstborn (Ex.4:22). Here and in verses 1-2 of chapter 12, God declares his ownership of all the firstborn animals and male children of Israel. "And it shall be when your son asks you in time to come, saying, What is this? That you shall say to him, By strength of hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt from the house of bondage" (v14). The first lesson taught by the redeeming of the firstborn was that the Creator God had claimed Israel as his own and freed them from slavery. The second is a two part prophetic lesson that revealed the following: 1. If there is no redemption, the death penalty must be administered. 2. The Creator would come to redeem humanity through his sacrificial blood, which would provide freedom from sin and its death penalty. 17
Leviticus 23:4-8 KJV "These are the feasts of the Lord, Even holy convocations, which you shall proclaim in their seasons, In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord's Passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread to the Lord: seven days you must eat unleavened bread. In the first day you shall have a holy convocation: you shall do no servile work therein. But you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord seven days: in the seventh day in an holy convocation: you shall do no servile work therein" (vs.4-8). See also Num. 28:17-25. The Passover and the first and last days of Unleavened Bread are noted as mandatory assemblies for the people of Israel. On both these festivals, work is prohibited and sacrificial offerings by fire must be made. Deuteronomy 16:1-8 KJV "Observe the month (new moon) of Abib and keep the Passover to the Lord your God: For in the month of Abib the Lord your God brought you forth out of Egypt by night. You shall therefore sacrifice the Passover to the Lord your God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the lord shall choose to place his name there" (vs.1-2). When Moses was given instructions about when and how to observe the Passover, he was also shown which day was the first day of the first month of the year (i.e., the first New Moon of the sacred year) (Ex.12: 1-2). Because the first day of each month was to be observed with sacrificial offerings, it seems logical that, in verse 1, God says the Israelites must observe the new moon and the Passover in the place that he sanctifies for its observance. Bread of Affliction "You shall eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shall you eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for you came forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that you may remember the day when you came forth out of the land all the days of your life" (v3). The English word affliction is translated from the Hebrew word oni, which expresses a state of pain or punishment resulting from affliction. Sin results in pain and punishment (Rom.6:23). It can be seen from verse 3 that God speaks of the unleavened bread which was to be eaten for seven days as a symbolic reminder of the pain and agony that the Israelites endured in Egypt. The instructions concerning God's observances and festivals that are a part of the covenant relationship between God and his people are repeated many times throughout the Bible. In verses 4 through 8 there is a final summation of these instructions for the observance of the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread: 18
"And there shall be no leavened bread seen with you in all your coast seven days; neither shall there be any thing of the flesh, which you sacrificed the first day at even, remain all night until the morning. You may not sacrifice the Passover within any of your gates, which the Lord gives you: But at the place which the Lord your God shall choose to place his name in, there you shall sacrifice the Passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that you came forth out of Egypt. And you shall roast it and eat it in the place which the Lord your God shall choose: and then you shall turn in the morning, and go into your tents. Six days you shall eat unleavened bread: and on the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly to the Lord your God: you shall do no work therein" (vs.4-8). SUMMARY The Creator God who would become Jesus Christ delivered the Israelites out of years of bondage and slavery through his mighty power; then, he established them as a nation under his laws and protection through which they would receive many benefits. Summarized below are some important points that are revealed through the instructions for ancient Israel's observance of the Festival of Unleavened Bread: Unleavened bread must be eaten all seven days of the festival. Refusal to eat unleavened bread during these days resulted in being cut off from the nation of Israel and the Creator God. No leavened bread or leavening was permitted within the land of Israel during these days. As the Israelites ate the unleavened bread each day of the feast, they were to remember the affliction of Egypt and that God had delivered them from it. The Festival of Unleavened Bread was to be observed by the Israelites forever. The first day of Unleavened Bread was to be the following: A memorial of the Israelites' departure from Egypt A day of festivities commemorating the departure from Egypt A day to remember the bondage and slavery of Egypt A day to remember that it was by the power of God that Israel gained its freedom from Egypt The last day of Unleavened Bread was also a day on which there was to be a commanded assembly and a day of rejoicing, feasting, and worshiping before their God in gratitude for his great mercy and blessings. 19
There is some speculation that Israel passed through the Red Sea on the seventh day of Unleavened Bread. Although this cannot be proved through the scriptures, the Israelites' deliverance from the Egyptian army at the end of the Days of Unleavened Bread would fit well within the prophetic and symbolic meaning of the seventh day, which is symbolic of the complete salvation and departure from sin and evil that is symbolized by Egypt. Although the celebration of the Festival of Unleavened Bread had great meaning and significance to those of the Exodus and their descendants, its meaning and importance was not intended to be for the nation of Israel alone. Within the prophetic and symbolic meaning of these days, the first phase of God's plan for the salvation of all of humanity can be found. By B. L. Cocherell b5w46 20
CHAPTER TWO THE LIFT OFFERING The Lift Offering (the Wave Sheaf Offering) during the Festival of Unleavened Bread is extremely important to understand because of its historical meaning to ancient Israel, and its prophetic meaning concerning Jesus Christ and the two loaves of bread offered on the Feast of Weeks. The Lift Offering was offered on the morning of the first day of the week that came after the first weekly Sabbath during the unleavened Bread. This offering was an offering of the first fruits of the spring grain harvest. Moreover, the day of the Lift Offering is the starting point from which to calculate the Festival of First Fruits (Pentecost). This seemingly obscure ritual pictures Jesus' resurrection and his ascension to heaven to be accepted by his Father as the first of the first fruits of humanity. The First of the Harvest This first ripened grain of the spring harvest clearly represents Christ who was the first human to be transformed into a son of God. The Wave-Sheaf Offering pictures Christ being cut loose from the earth and ascending up to be accepted by the Father. The Offering Leviticus 23:10-11; 14 "Speak to the sons of Israel, and you will say to them, When you come to the land that I am giving you, and you will harvest its harvest, then you will bring the first omer of your harvest to the priest. And he will lift the omer before 'He Is' [God] for your goodwill, on the morning after the Sabbath the priest will lift it" (vs.10-11 Para.). Definition of Terms: Omer: 1/10 ephah which is equal to about 2.2 liters or.58 dry measure He Is: Literal translation of the name Yahweh; it is also 'He Will Be' Goodwill: God's favor. From the Hebrew root which means to 'to desire' or 'to will' Sabbath: Refers to the weekly Sabbath (Shabbat), not an annual festival (Shabbat-Shabbaton) 21
"You must not eat any bread, roasted grain or new grain, until the very day you bring this offering to your God. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live" (v14 NIV). OFFERING INSTRUCTIONS Most of the instructions given to the Levitical Priesthood which detail how to perform the various rituals, offerings, and sacrifices are not specified in the scriptures. However, they were given to Moses to give to Aaron or they were directly given to Aaron. These instructions were then handed down through the priesthood in an oral or written form, which was not recorded in the biblical record. Understanding how the various offerings and sacrifices were performed is very important when trying to sort out the meanings of chronological events surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Therefore, it is necessary to do a detailed review of the Lift Offering (Wave Sheaf Offering) of the first grain of the spring harvest. MISHNAH SUMMARY It is important to know that the day of the Lift Offering was improperly reckoned by the Pharisees as the 16 th of Abib/Nisan (the day after the first day of Unleavened Bread), but it should have been after the weekly Sabbath, which is required by the biblical text (Lev.23:10-11). For this reason, some information from the Mishnah is useless but is provided here only as background information to show the chronological order of events for the Lift Offering. Also keep in mind that, when the Sabbath is mentioned, it is referring to the First Day of Unleavened Bread (FDUB), not the weekly Sabbath as assumed in the Mishnah. Order Kodashim, Tracttate Mena-chot, Chapter 10, Mishayot 1-6 (Paraphrased): 10:1 On whatever day of the week the day fell, whether Sabbath (FDUB) or a weekday, the omer was made from three sheaves of grain, and the reaping was carried out by three men with three sickles and three baskets. 10:2 The omer should have come from barley growing near Jerusalem, but if such was not ripe, it could come from anywhere. 10:3 How the omer was made ready: Messengers of the court went out on the day before the 'good day' (i.e., festival day; therefore, they went out on the day before, which was during the day on the 14 th of the month) and would bind together a sufficient amount of standing grain so that it would be easier to reap. 22