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In the early spring in the month of Abib immediately following Passover
is the seven day festival of unleavened bread that we are commanded to keep. You
can read about it's institution in Ex.12:15-20. There was to be no leavening found anywhere within their borders for
this seven day period. The first day is a holy day as is the last. To the
Israelites it was to be a reminder of what Yahweh did for them when He brought
them out of Egypt. (Ex.13:7-9. Deuteronomy
16:3) They left Egypt hurriedly and had no
time to leaven their bread. As there is with everything that Yahweh does, there
is a spiritual lesson to be learned from this festival time that the Israelites
did not understand.
As one reads the books of the law one will discover that blood sacrifices
and burnt offerings were to be made without leaven. (Exodus 34:25,
Leviticus 2:11, Leviticus 6:17 Deuteronomy 16:4) We will discover the relevance of this later in this study. There were
some exceptions to this rule, which will be covered in a future study. Before we continue with that thought
let’s look at a scripture where Paul gives us a little more insight. 1 Corinthians 5:8, Let us, therefore, celebrate
the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with
the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. From these two scriptures we can
understand that leaven represents hypocrisy, malice, and evil. Under
investigation these words will all be shown to represent sinful attitudes.
Hypocrisy is from the Greek, “Hupokrisis”. It means to play a part, deceitful pretending. Malice is from, “Kakia”. It means, have ill will, desire to
injure. Evil is from, “Poneria.” It means, depravity, have evil purposes or desires in secret. This
word also means, active exercise of a vicious disposition. With this knowledge
one can see that these things are all centred on deceiving others or doing evil
that is directed at or affects others.
Before we continue we must establish just who is our neighbour. This
question was asked of Yahshua. Luke 10:29, But he, desiring to justify
himself, said to Yahshua, "And who is my neighbour?" To discover that
answer read Yahshua's response. Luke 10:30-37 From this we can conclude that everyone
is our neighbour in Yahweh’s and Yahshua's eyes. Let’s pursue this concept a little
further. Romans
13:10, Love
does no wrong to a neighbour; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Since
love is the fulfilling of the law, not loving our neighbour would be the
breaking of the law. Breaking of the law is identified as sin. 1John 3:4,
Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of
the law.
Notice that those acting in love do no wrong or cause any harm to their
neighbour. We are also told to be truthful to our
neighbour. Ephesians
4:25,
Therefore, putting away falsehood, let every one speak the truth with his
neighbour, for we are members one of another. Kakia and Poneria are doing wrong to neighbour. Hupokrisis is being deceitful to neighbour. These
things are all identified as leaven, which we are told to avoid.
Let’s begin now to fully understand the spiritual danger of being
leavened. Leaven is parallel to pride. Sin is the transgression of the law. All
deliberate sin comes from pride. Leaven puffs up. Pride puffs up. The
pride I'm referring to is self-exalting pride. This kind of pride will not
stand. Proverbs
11:2, When
pride comes, then comes disgrace; but with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 16:18, Pride goes before destruction, and a
haughty spirit before a fall. Yahweh hates pride, not because it hurts Him but
because it hurts our fellow man and ultimately, ourselves. Proverbs 8:13, The reverence of Yahweh is hatred of
evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.
Just as a small amount of leaven will puff up a very large lump of dough 1
Cor.5:6.
Lets become fully aware of how easily one could exalt ones self to such a
position.
Someone insults you. You are angry and you instantly lash back. Why are
you angry? Because the one who insulted you thinks less of you than you do
yourself. When you lash back you do so from pride. Because of this pride you
have lashed back in vengeance. You have now taken a position that Yahweh says is
His. Romans
12:19,
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of Elohim; for it is
written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says Yahweh." Proverbs 24:29, Do not say, "I will do to him as
he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done." Yahshua
has told us how we should act in such a situation. Luke 6:28, Bless those who curse you, pray for
those who abuse you.
I use this example because it is the one most prevalent in our society
today. Sometimes this situation can arise without a word spoken. It is shown in
road rage, in long line-ups at checkout counters, and many other everyday
situations. One should never react. Reaction is never preceded with thought. We must delay action so that
it never becomes reaction. There is very good advice that can usually turn a
potentially bad situation to good. Proverbs 15:18, A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets
contention. Proverbs
15:1, A soft
answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
This is not what we deserved but nevertheless it is how Yahweh responded
to us, through love.
Is Yahshua asking the impossible? Does He require something of us that He
would not do Himself? 1 Peter 2:21, For to this you have been called,
because Messiah also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should
follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin; no guile was found on his lips. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when
he suffered, he did not threaten; but he trusted to him who judges justly. Hebrews 12:3, Consider him who endured from sinners
such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
Yahshua would never require of us something that He would not do. He set
the example and abided by the following principle. 1 Peter 2:19, For
one is approved if, mindful of Elohim, he endures pain while suffering unjustly.
Yahshua knows exactly what it is like to be insulted and lied about unjustly but
He never reacted from pride. He was even murdered unjustly but still
did not lash back. Isaiah 53:7, He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its
shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. He trusted in the word of Yahweh. Proverbs 29:23, A man’s pride will bring him low, but
he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honour. Because of this patience and
humility which comes from true agape love He has been exalted by the one who
said,” vengeance is mine”. Philippians 2:9, Therefore Elohim has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name
which is above every name.
The time is coming when people will think they are doing service to
Yahweh if they kill us. John 16:2, They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed, the hour is coming when
whoever kills you will think he is offering service to Elohim. When this time
comes, will we respond as Yahshua, Stephen, Paul, Peter and the others that were
put to death unjustly did? Acts 7:60, And he knelt down and cried with a loud voice, "Master, do not hold
this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Stephen
responded in love for his murderers. Romans 12:14, Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. The minor
things that we face today are preparing us for the major things in the future.
The above is one small example of how one could exalt themselves to a
position higher than Yahweh but any time we sin deliberately we are doing the
same thing. We are over ruling Yahweh and placing ourselves above Him. This is
being puffed up, leavened.
As Yahshua was our example of patience and not railing back at those who
treat us unkindly let Him also be our example of humility and being unleavened.
Consider for a moment His position before He became flesh as a tiny human baby.
He was at the very throne of Yahweh. He was Elohim. John 1:1 In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was
Elohim. 2 He was in the beginning
with Elohim; He was also the agent that Yahweh used to create all things
including mankind. John 1:3 all things were made through him, and
without him was not anything made that was made. John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was
made through him, yet the world knew him not. Col. 1:15 He
is the image of the invisible Elohim, the firstborn of all creation; 16
for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and
invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities—all
things were created through him and for him. Hebrews 1:2 but
in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of
all things, through whom also he created the world.
This great and awesomely powerful being was willing to give that all up
to become as we are. Phil.2:5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Messiah Yahshua, 6
who, though he was in the form of Elohim, did not count equality with Elohim a
thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being
born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form he humbled himself
and became obedient unto death, even death on a stake.
This indestructible, almighty being who was in the second highest
position in the universe and beyond gave it all up and became less than every
person who has ever lived. Don't be shocked. It is true. Matthew 20:28 even as the Son of man came not to be
served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Luke 22:27 For
which is the greater, one who sits at table, or one who serves? Is it not the
one who sits at table? But I am among you as one who serves. Yahshua took the
lowliest of positions among men. Consider for a moment, His position and
attitude. He who was the agent of creation Acts 3:15
is impaled on a stake bearing the penalty for the sins of the entire
world. He was the greatest servant who ever lived yet he was hated as a
criminal.
Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men; a
man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their
faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Matthew 26:67 Then they spat in his face, and struck
him; and some slapped him, Matthew 27:39 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads. Matthew 27:44 And the robbers who were crucified with
him also reviled him in the same way.
Even in all of this He did not rail back. He accepted all the ridicule,
insults, and hatred that the people He came to save handed out and He responded
in love. Luke
23:34 And
Yahshua said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."
And they cast lots to divide his garments. This is genuine, unleavened, love of
neighbour. Because of this love He was willing to go to the grave bearing the
penalty that we deserved and in His last moments ask our heavenly Father to
forgive us. (Understand this fully. He did not have to go through this degrading
scenario. He could have responded as we might. If He wished to take vengeance by
lashing back at His captors, they would have been destroyed in a heartbeat. Matthew
26:53
Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send
me more than twelve legions of angels? Yahshua knew that the result of such an
action would mean the destruction of the world. Yahshua came from love of others
more than Himself and He endured what He did from love of others more than
Himself)
Because of this humility that He suffered at our hands Yahweh has
restored Him to His former glory, John 17:5 and
now, Father, glorify thou me in thy own presence with the glory which I had with
thee before the world was made. Yahweh answered this prayer of Yahshua because
of the humble attitude with which it was said. He had accomplished the job that
He came to earth to achieve, the salvation of mankind who He had created and
loved dearly even through the hatred and insults. Yahweh has exalted Him as He
said he would. Revelation 5:11 Then I looked, and I heard
around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many
angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12
saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to
receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and
blessing!"
This world, including all of us, now bow the head and knee to this one
that was seen as a lowly criminal. Phil.2:9 Therefore Elohim has highly
exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, 10
that at the name of Yahshua every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth
and under the earth, 11 and every
tongue confess that Yahshua Messiah is Master, to the glory of Elohim the
Father.
At the beginning of this study we saw that blood sacrifices were to be
offered without leaven. Ex.34:25 "You shall not offer
the blood of my sacrifice with leaven; neither shall the sacrifice of the feast
of the Passover be left until the morning. All sacrifices and offerings
signified Yahshua and His perfect sacrifice offered to Yahweh on our behalf. As we have seen, Yahshua was totally
unleavened. He was not puffed up by pride but was truly humble. This is the only
type of sacrifice that Yahweh will accept. He will accept nothing artificial.
Yahweh knows what we are. As Yahshua said, Luke 12:2 Nothing
is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Hebrews
4:13
And before him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to
the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Hypocrisy, malice and evil intent, those things that puff up, may be
hidden from our fellow man but are clearly evident to Yahweh. In this condition
we are not acceptable to Yahweh. Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore,
brethren, by the mercies of Elohim, to present your bodies as a living
sacrifice, holy and acceptable to Elohim, which is your spiritual worship. Did
you notice that we are to be living sacrifices? As sacrifices we are to offer
ourselves to Yahweh, as Yahshua did, without leaven. Psalms 51:17 The
sacrifice acceptable to Elohim is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart,
O Elohim, thou wilt not despise.
As we approach this very Holy Passover season we must meditate on the
great meaning of this festival time. It is a time of self examination to
discover the leaven in our lives that will make us unacceptable to Yahweh. As
Paul said; 1
Corinthians 5:7 Cleanse out the old leaven
that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Messiah, our
paschal lamb, has been sacrificed. As we partake of the bread and cup as the
symbols of Yahshua's body and blood it is a time of recommitment to the covenant
that Yahweh has made with us through Yahshua. In this commitment we must come
before Yahweh laid bare and present ourselves without leaven. 1 Cor.5: 8
Let us, therefore, celebrate the
festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the
unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
In this unleavened state we can bow humbly before the loving creator and
sustainer of the universe with confidence and say; Psalms 141:2 Let
my prayer be counted as incense before thee, and the lifting up of my hands as
an evening sacrifice! HalleluYah! May Yahweh bless your studies. Elder Dave Ganton
By Anthony Dyous The wonderful thing about Yahweh our loving Heavenly Father is that He tells
us clearly how He feels. He has given us thousands of examples about how He
looks at things and exactly what is expected of us if we are to be blessed.
In
the very beginning, Yahweh’s loving kindness and His judgment is displayed. We
have heard the story of Adam and Eve, and how they are made in Yahweh’s image.
Just as we do today, they had free will, and could choose to obey or disobey the
things that they are told.
Yahweh
knows that as our creator He is worthy of our praise and obedience, so He wanted
us to have the ability to choose. The fact that He did not make us like robots
having no choice,
is a testament to His greatness!
Man
disobeyed the command and therefore fell from a state of love, and bliss that we
can barely imagine, all the way down to the condition that we find ourselves in
today. In Genesis chapter 3 we can read this story and ask the question, why?
Many
people today would say, “We don’t have it so bad.” “As a matter of fact,
we have it pretty good!” If
we looked through Yahweh’s eyes do you think that this would be the case? Is it
possible to know what Yahweh’s judgment is regarding our actions, our country,
and the world at large? The answer is Yes! Yahweh’s thoughts are very clear
and specific if we are willing to listen. From the beginning, it was His desire
to make man in His image, and this includes the woman. Genesis 1:26, 27.
We
have the ability to choose and with that, we are allowed to bring consequences
both good and evil upon ourselves. This is the Law of Life itself and it applies
to believers and unbelievers the same way. This Law of Life is placed on all
humankind.
He that sows iniquity shall reap calamity; and the rod of
his wrath shall fail. Proverbs 22:8. Be not deceived; Elohim (Yahweh) is not
mocked; for whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap. Galatians 6:7.
If
I choose to break man’s law the consequence will bring the police looking for
me in order to bring me to justice. I can say that I don’t deserve it, yet it
was I who brought that result upon myself by breaking the Law.
Notice
that in most cases we don’t care when we break the law, it is only when we are
caught and required to pay that the full weight of our actions is realized.
It
is even more so when it is Yahweh and His Law that we willfully break. The Bible
says,
“The soul that sins will die.” Ezekiel 18:4.
Even working on the 7th
day can bring death, and we are talking about Saturday, not Sunday! Lev. 23:30.
You shall keep My Sabbaths, and reverence My Sanctuary: I Am
Yahweh. Lev. 26:2. And if by these things you will not be reformed to me, but
will walk contrary to me; then I will also walk contrary to you; and I will
afflict you, even I, Seven times for your sins. Lev. 26:23, 24. Then shall the
land enjoy its Sabbaths, as long as it lies desolate, and you are in your
enemies’ land even then shall the land rest, and enjoy its Sabbaths. Lev.
26:34.
Remember
that these are Yahweh’s very words, and He really means what He says. A word
proceeds from His mouth and it is done! It does not matter if we believe it,
because it is a law of life. The Second coming of Yahshua Messiah will tell
people His Father’s real name Yahweh, instead of using the title god. I will declare your name to
My brethren: in the middle of the assembly I will praise you. Psalm 22:22.
Yahweh
spoke through the Prophet Zephaniah to the world superpowers of his time. There
is also a mention of our time and so we should take it as also being directed to
us. (See Zeph. 1:14-18.)
Whatever
we have in the number one position in our life, is our mighty one! If we have
money in that number one position, then money is our mighty one. That person,
place, or thing that we put the most value on is our Master. It could be a woman
or man, or it could be a sport, even if it is a child, that child by virtue of
our adoration becomes the reason for living and therefore our Master.
And Yahweh spoke all these words, saying, I AM Yahweh your
Mighty One, who had brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house o
bondage. You shall have no other mighty ones before Me. Exodus 10:1-3. And He
said to him, you shall love Yahweh your Mighty One with all your heart, and with
all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.
And a second like unto it is this, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On
these two commandments, the whole law hangs, and the Prophets. Matthew 22:37-40.
Whatever
we put first place in our life, if it is not Yahweh, then it is false worship.
In today’s world many believe that it does not matter what we do as long as we
are not caught breaking man’s law. This is a form of self (false) worship.
And I will stretch out My hand upon Judah, and upon all the
inhabitants of Jerusalem, and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this
place, and the name of the Chemarim with the priests; and them that worship the
host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship, that swear to Yahweh
and swear by Malcam; and them that are turned back from following Yahweh; and
those that have not sought Yahweh, nor inquired after Him. Zeph. 1:4-6. What exactly is sin?
Everyone that commits sin also
transgresses the law; for sin is the transgression of the law. 1 Jn. 3:4.
Many
people today believe that riches will save them and make them happy. There is a
false sense of security that comes with wealth, and our world promotes the idea
that money is happiness! Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver
them in the day of Yahweh’s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the
fire of His jealousy: for He will make an end, yes, a terrible end, of all them
that dwell in the land. Zeph. 1:18.
You
may ask how do we escape this judgment then? The answer to this question can
also be found in the Bible.
Gather yourselves together, even gather together, O nation
that has no shame; before the decree brings forth, before the day passes as the
chaff, before the fierce anger of Yahweh comes upon you. Seek Yahweh all you
meek of the earth, that have kept His ordinances; seek righteousness, seek
meekness, it may be you will be hid in the day of Yahweh’s anger. Zeph. 2:1-3. We can gather together and seek Yahweh with
the utmost respect, and honor Him with our words and deeds. Are the nations of
the earth too proud to do this?
Woe to her that is rebellious and polluted! To the
oppressing city! She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she
trusted not in Yahweh; she drew not near to her Mighty One (Elohim). Zeph. 3:12.
Her prophets are light and treacherous persons; her Priests have profaned the
Sanctuary, they have done violence to the law, Yahweh in the middle of her is
righteous; He will not do iniquity; every morning He brings His justice to
light, He fails not; but the unjust knows no shame. Zeph. 3:4, 5. I said, only
fear (respect) Me; receive correction; so her dwelling shall not be cut off,
according to all that I have appointed concerning her: but they rose early and
corrupted all their doings. Zeph. 3:7.
Sometimes
it appears that we treat Yahweh as if we are His bosses. Our prayers are about
what He can do for us, and almost never, about what we can do for His Honor and
Glory. We even tell ourselves that we are better than those other sinners. It
does not matter if we think ourselves to be great; Yahweh will bring judgment on
all Nations that break His commands!
I have spread out My hands all the day to a rebellious
people, that walk in a way that is not good, after their own thoughts; a people
that provoke Me to My face continually, sacrificing in gardens, and burning
incense upon bricks; that sit among the graves, and lodge in the sacred places;
that eat swine’s flesh, and broth of abominable things in their vessels; that
say, stand by yourself; come not near to me, for I am holier than you. These are
a smoke in My nose, a fire that burns all the day. Isa. 65:2-5. |
