Exodus 12:17

And yee shall obserue the feast of vnleauened bread: for in this selfe same day haue I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt; therefore shall ye obserue this day in your generations, by an ordinance for euer. Exodus 12:17 (KJV)

Exodus 12:17 is part of the divine instructions given to the Israelites concerning the commemoration of the Passover. The passage underscores the importance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread as a lasting memorial of God’s deliverance.

Historical Context: The Israelites were enslaved in Egypt under Pharaoh’s rule. God raised Moses as their leader and sent ten plagues to secure their release. The final plague, the death of the firstborn, was averted for those who marked their doorposts with the blood of a lamb, an event that became known as the Passover.

Observance of the Feast: In Exodus 12:17 God commanded the people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in conjunction with the Passover. The feast began on the 15th day of the first month (Nisan) and lasted seven days. During this period the Israelites were to remove all leaven from their homes and eat only unleavened bread.

Significance of the Feast: The feast serves as a perpetual reminder of the Israelites’ deliverance from Egypt. By eating unleavened bread they symbolically separate themselves from the leaven of Egypt, which represented sin and corruption. It is a time of reflection, gratitude, and renewed commitment to God.

Observance throughout Generations: Exodus 12:17 emphasizes that this ordinance is to be observed forever, a lasting memorial that passes the story of redemption from one generation to the next.

Spiritual Significance: For Christians the feast points beyond its historical setting. In the New Testament leaven often symbolizes sin and false teaching, while unleavened bread represents purity and sincerity. The Passover lamb foreshadows Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, whose sacrificial death brings deliverance from sin and eternal life.

In summary, the command to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread establishes a perpetual memorial of God’s faithfulness in delivering His people. It reminds believers to separate themselves from sin and to look to Christ, the ultimate Passover Lamb, as the source of redemption and freedom.