THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD

0. Introduction

a) Feasts played a major role in Israel's culture. Israel's feasts were different from those of any other nation because, being ordained by God, they were times of celebrating with him, not times of moral depravity. God wanted to set aside special days for the people to come together for rest, refreshment, and remembering with thanksgiving all he had done for them.

b) Besides enjoying one Sabbath day of rest each week, the Israelites also enjoyed 19 days when national holidays were celebrated.

1. The Feast of Unleavened Bread (7 days)

i) 6And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the Lord; seven days you must eat unleavened bread. 7 On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no customary work on it. 8 But you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord for seven days. The seventh day shall be a holy convocation; you shall do no customary work on it.’” (Leviticus 23:6-8 NKJV)

2. What it celebrated

i) The exodus from Egypt.

3. Its importance

i) Reminded the people they were leaving the old life behind and entering a new way of living.

4. What is the text all about?

a) The Feast of Unleavened Bread reminded Israel of their escape from Egypt. For 7 days they ate unleavened bread, just as they had eaten it back then. The symbolism of this bread made without yeast was important to the Israelites. First, because the bread was unique, it illustrated Israel's uniqueness as a nation. Second, because yeast was a symbol of sin, the bread represented Israel's moral purity. Third, the bread reminded them to obey quickly. Their ancestors left the yeast out of their dough so they could leave Egypt quickly without waiting for the dough to rise. 

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