Ezekiel 45:21

“In the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month, ye shall have the passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten.”

Context:The book of Ezekiel is a prophetic book in the Old Testament. In this particular passage, Ezekiel receives a vision from God regarding the future restoration of the temple and the worship practices of the Israelites.

The Passover Feast:The verse begins by mentioning the “passover,” which was a significant festival in the Jewish calendar. The Passover commemorates the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It was instituted by God through Moses, and it involved the sacrifice of a lamb and the eating of unleavened bread.

The Timing:The verse specifies that the Passover feast is to take place on the fourteenth day of the first month. According to the Jewish calendar, this corresponds to the month of Nisan, which falls around March or April in the Gregorian calendar.

Duration:The Passover feast was to last for seven days, during which the Israelites were required to eat unleavened bread. This period is also known as the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which followed immediately after the Passover.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance:The Passover feast holds both historical and spiritual significance. Historically, it celebrates God’s miraculous deliverance of the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. Spiritually, it points forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who became the “Lamb of God” and provided deliverance from the bondage of sin.

Application for Christians:While the Passover feast was originally observed by the Israelites, it holds significance for Christians as well. Jesus Christ, the fulfilment of the Passover, instituted the Lord’s Supper (also known as the “Last Supper”) on the eve of His crucifixion, which took place during the Passover festival. Christians commemorate His sacrifice through the observance of the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion.