“Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the LORD.”
This verse is part of the account of the Exodus, where God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. After the final plague, which was the death of the firstborn, Pharaoh finally allowed the Israelites to leave Egypt. In Exodus 12, God established the Passover feast as a commemoration of their deliverance from Egypt. Exodus 13:6 provides instructions regarding the observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which immediately follows the Passover.
Here are a few key points we can glean from this verse:
- Duration of the Feast:The Feast of Unleavened Bread was to last for seven days. During this period, the Israelites were to eat unleavened bread. Leaven, or yeast, was a symbol of corruption and impurity in the Bible. By eating unleavened bread, they were to remember their haste in leaving Egypt when they didn’t have time to let the dough rise.
- The Seventh Day:On the seventh day of the feast, there was to be a special gathering, a feast to the LORD. This day was a holy convocation, a designated time for the people to come together and worship God. It was a day of rest and celebration, set apart for the Lord.
- Symbolism:The Feast of Unleavened Bread holds significant symbolic meaning. The unleavened bread represents the purity and sincerity required of God’s people. Leaven, as a symbol of sin, was to be removed from their households during this time. The emphasis on unleavened bread teaches the Israelites and subsequent generations the importance of being set apart for God, living lives free from the corrupting influence of sin.
Spiritual Application:As Christians, we can find spiritual significance in this passage as well. The unleavened bread represents Jesus Christ, who was sinless and pure. In the New Testament, during the Last Supper, Jesus used unleavened bread to represent His body that would be broken for us. Therefore, the Feast of Unleavened Bread foreshadows the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our Passover Lamb.
In summary, Exodus 13:6 emphasizes the observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which was a time of remembrance and worship for the Israelites. It teaches us about the importance of purity, the symbolism of unleavened bread, and the ultimate fulfilment of this feast in Jesus Christ.
