“Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.”
Historical Context:Deuteronomy is part of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament attributed to Moses. It was written during the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness after their liberation from slavery in Egypt. In this verse, Moses is reminding the people of the observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which commemorates their deliverance from Egypt.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread:The Feast of Unleavened Bread is closely associated with the Passover and lasts for seven days. It begins on the evening of the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan and continues until the 21st day. During this feast, the Israelites were commanded to eat unleavened bread (bread without yeast) to remember their hasty departure from Egypt.
Symbolism of Unleavened Bread:The use of unleavened bread during this feast carries symbolic significance. Leaven, or yeast, is often associated with sin and corruption in the Bible. Eating unleavened bread served as a reminder of the Israelites’ need to remove sin and corruption from their lives as they embarked on their journey towards the Promised Land.
Bread of Affliction:The term “bread of affliction” refers to the unleavened bread consumed during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It symbolizes the hardships and afflictions the Israelites endured during their time of slavery in Egypt. By eating this bread, they were reminded of their deliverance from bondage and the faithfulness of God in leading them to freedom.
Remembrance:The primary purpose of observing the Feast of Unleavened Bread and eating unleavened bread for seven days was to remember the day of their deliverance from Egypt. God wanted the Israelites to never forget the miraculous event of their liberation and to continually acknowledge His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises.
Application for Believers:Although the original context of this commandment was for the Israelites in commemoration of their exodus from Egypt, there are valuable lessons that can be gleaned for believers today. It reminds us to remember and celebrate God’s deliverance and faithfulness in our lives. It also encourages us to remove the “leaven” of sin from our lives, embracing a lifestyle of holiness and obedience to God’s commands.
In summary, Deuteronomy 16:3 emphasizes the observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread as a reminder of the Israelites’ deliverance from Egypt. The command to eat unleavened bread for seven days symbolizes the removal of sin and corruption while acknowledging God’s faithfulness. It serves as a reminder for believers to remember God’s deliverance and strive for a life free from sin.
