Leviticus Lesson 16

Leviticus

Lesson 16

Hi and welcome back to this continuing study of Leviticus.

As you will recall, in the previous lesson, we did an OVERVIEW of the 7 Feasts (Sacred Assemblies) of God. These are the Feasts which God ordained for His People, the Jewish Nation, to observe. They were instituted while they were at Mt. Sinai, after their deliverance from Egypt and they are still observed today, almost 3500 years later! Wow!

If you did not do Lesson 15, please do not even think about doing this lesson UNTIL you have done that lesson!

Why? Because this lesson builds upon what you learned in Lesson 15. So, if you have not done it. Stop now. Go back and do it. And then return here to continue. In this lesson, we will begin to look at each of the 7 Feasts in more detail. But, if you do not have the "big picture" of when these feasts were to be observed and why, you will have missed MUCH of the essential understanding of what you will be studying in this and subsequent lessons.

Ok, now that we have all completed the previous lesson, let's continue on. In that previous lesson, you filled in a graphic showing the 7 Feasts. Below is a copy of that graphic (with all the Feasts filled in) to serve as a review and to help keep the feasts that we will be studying in this lesson in perspective.

The 7 Annual Feasts (Sacred Assemblies)

In this lesson, we will be looking at only the FIRST group of feasts. This group, as you will recall from the previous lesson, actually consists of 3 Feasts, which are often collectively called "Passover" since they are observed over a period of 8 consecutive days. Actually, however, there are 3 different and specific Feasts in this First Group. Those 3 Feasts are:

Yes, you are correct if you said that the first group of Feasts (Sacred Assemblies) consisted of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First fruits. These 3 feasts occurred in the Spring. Obviously, as you can see on the drawing, there is another feast which also occurs in the spring, the Feast of Weeks. But it occurs 50 days later, at the end of spring and, therefore, necessitated a different and distinct journey to Jerusalem for its observance. So, in like manner, we will make a separate and distinct journey (lesson) for its study. In fact, by doing each group (journey) as a separate lesson we will, hopefully, be better able to understand the events and their shadows, types, and prophetic pictures So, in this lesson, we will be looking at only the first 3 of the 7 feasts, the Spring Feasts of "Passover."

Well, with that said, and now that you know our "plan of attack", let's begin.

PASSOVER, the 1st Sacred Assembly

Passover, as you know, actually lasts only ONE day. But, since it is the first of the 3 feasts which were observed on their FIRST trip (journey) each year, you will often find this group of 3 feasts (Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First fruits) collectively referred to as "Passover." But, for now, let's consider Passover in its primary meaning, which is that it is the First of the 7 Sacred Assemblies observed each year. And, although in the previous lesson we briefly mentioned the purpose and meaning of Passover, let's think about it now in more detail.

So, your assignment now is to read the following verses in Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, and, as you read these verses, underline, circle, or highlight in RED, what happens (or happened) or what they were to do (or not do) on Passover, the 14th day of the first month.

First we will read about the FIRST Passover. This is recorded for us in Exodus 12 and 13

Exodus 12:1-14

1. The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, 2. "This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. 3. Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. 4. If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat. 5. The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. 6. Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. 7. Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. 8. That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. 9. Do not eat the meat raw or cooked in water, but roast it over the fire--head, legs and inner parts. 10. Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it. 11. This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD's Passover. 12. "On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn--both men and animals--and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. 13. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. 14. "This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD--a lasting ordinance.

Exodus 13:14-16

14. "In days to come, when your son asks you, `What does this mean?' say to him, `With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 15. When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in Egypt, both man and animal. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the first male offspring of every womb and redeem each of my firstborn sons.' 16. And it will be like a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead that the LORD brought us out of Egypt with his mighty hand."

Now let's read about the Passover as it was observed at the time of its institution at the beginning of their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness after their escape from Egypt. This is recorded for us in Numbers 9.

Numbers 9:1-14

1. The LORD spoke to Moses in the Desert of Sinai in the first month of the second year after they came out of Egypt. He said, 2. "Have the Israelites celebrate the Passover at the appointed time. 3. Celebrate it at the appointed time, at twilight on the fourteenth day of this month, in accordance with all its rules and regulations." 4. So Moses told the Israelites to celebrate the Passover, 5. and they did so in the Desert of Sinai at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. The Israelites did everything just as the LORD commanded Moses. 6. But some of them could not celebrate the Passover on that day because they were ceremonially unclean on account of a dead body. So they came to Moses and Aaron that same day 7. and said to Moses, "We have become unclean because of a dead body, but why should we be kept from presenting the LORD's offering with the other Israelites at the appointed time?" 8. Moses answered them, "Wait until I find out what the LORD commands concerning you." 9. Then the LORD said to Moses, 10. "Tell the Israelites: `When any of you or your descendants are unclean because of a dead body or are away on a journey, they may still celebrate the LORD's Passover. 11. They are to celebrate it on the fourteenth day of the second month at twilight. They are to eat the lamb, together with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 12. They must not leave any of it till morning or break any of its bones. When they celebrate the Passover, they must follow all the regulations. 13. But if a man who is ceremonially clean and not on a journey fails to celebrate the Passover, that person must be cut off from his people because he did not present the LORD's offering at the appointed time. That man will bear the consequences of his sin. 14. "`An alien living among you who wants to celebrate the LORD's Passover must do so in accordance with its rules and regulations. You must have the same regulations for the alien and the native-born.'"

And, finally, let's consider Deuteronomy 16:1-2 which reaffirms the command that they are to annually observe the Passover after they enter into and settle in their Promised Land, Israel.

Deuteronomy 16:1-2

16:1 Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover of the LORD your God, because in the month of Abib He brought you out of Egypt by night. 2. Sacrifice as the Passover to the LORD your God an animal from your flock or herd at the place the LORD will choose as a dwelling for his Name.

Wow! Interesting!

Now, to summarize what you learned about the Passover (the one day of Passover) in those Scriptures, answer the following questions:

? When was Passover, the 1 day Sacred Assembly (Feast), observed? (Numbers 9:5) The ____ th day of the _____ st month.

? What was the situation (condition) of the Jews at the time of their Exodus from Egypt at the time of the First Passover? They were (circle the correct answer):

a. Free citizens who could leave at any time they wished and do anything they wanted.

b. Slaves to the Egyptians and had been in bondage for most of the 450 years they had been in Egypt.

? Briefly, and in your own words, explain when and why the very FIRST Passover was observed. (Exodus 13:14-16)

? What were they told to "do" on the night of the FIRST Passover ever? (fill in the blanks with your answers).

They are to slaughter (kill) an unblemished (perfect) ________ at (specific time of day) __________ and put its ________ on the doorposts of their houses.

They are to cook (roast) and eat the _________ and they are also to eat _________ herbs and _________ bread.

Now, let's find out what the New Testament teaches concerning the meaning and significance (interpretation) of these events and requirements. As you read the following passages, do the following:

1. Put a BLUE CROSS (or color and symbol of your choice) on all the "Jesus" words (Jesus, he, him, his, Teacher, me, my, I, etc.)

2. Put a GREEN CIRCLE (or color and symbol of your choice) around every occurrence of the word, Passover.

3. Put a RED CIRCLE around every item which is commanded to be eaten or done at Passover (for example, this would include sacrifice the Passover lamb, eat the passover, (eat the) bread, etc.

4. When you see an interpretation (explanation) of what each item pictured, shadowed, or represented as a type, put a RED UNDERLINE under the interpretation. For example, in Mark 14:22 you would circle the word, bread, and underline the phrase, this is my body.

Mark 14:12-26

12. On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus' disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?" 13. So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14. Say to the owner of the house he enters, `The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' 15. He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there." 16. The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. 17. When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me--one who is eating with me." 19. They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, "Surely not I?" 20. "It is one of the Twelve," he replied, "one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born." 22. While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body." 23. Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. 24. "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them. 25. "I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God." 26. When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

1 Corinthians 5:7

7. Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast--as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

Wow! Very interesting! And, did you notice how the Bible explains and interprets itself? Yes!

In the Old Testament, the Jews, who were slaves and in bondage to the Egyptians (answer B in your questions above) were told that on the 14th day of the 1st month, they are to slaughter (kill / sacrifice) an unblemished (perfect) lamb at (specific time of day) twilight and put its blood on the doorposts of their houses. Then, they are to cook (roast) and eat the lamb and they are also to eat bitter herbs and unleavened bread.

Some people say that these stipulations seem to be a lot of meaningless rules, commands, and regulations.

But, they are not meaningless!

In fact, as you have just seen, each of these and many many other details, which we do not have the time to cover in this short study, are very meaningful! Why? Because, they are IMPORTANT shadows, types, and prophecies of future events and fulfilments.

You discovered the meaning (the explanation of the fulfillment of the shadow or type) of some of these in the 2 passages we read in the New Testament. And, if we had the time, we could discover what ALL of these various commands and requirements pictured and shadowed. For everything represented, pictured, foreshadowed, and pointed to something important in the future. If you have the time, this is something you should pursue. But, for now, just to show you that these are not meaningless but actually are important pictures and shadows, let's see what you discovered as you read the New Testament passages.

In Mark and 1 Corinthians, you discovered that the Lamb that was sacrificed at Passover was actually a picture (shadow, type, foreshadowing) of (I Cor 1:7) ________________ . And just as this Lamb, in order to be an acceptable sacrifice, had to be perfect and without blemish, _____________ is also perfect and without blemish (ie. sinless). And, He, Jesus, is the Passover Lamb, and He sacrificed His sinless substitute life on the cross, shedding His Blood for the redemption of their (and our) sins! Wow! And, all of that, and much more, is pictured in the many components of Passover.

Also, in these New Testament passages of Mark and 1 Corinthians, you discovered that the bread is also a picture (shadow, type, foreshadowing) of (Mark 14:22) __________________ . WOW! Yes, The Bread is a picture of the body of Jesus! Which brings us to the NEXT Feast, The Feast of Unleavened bread.

UNLEAVENED BREAD, the 2nd Sacred Assembly

Of course we know that Jesus said in Mark 14:22 that the bread is His _________ . So we know this feast has something to do with that. But just what it is about Jesus' body (bread) that is important and which is pictured as a type or shadow in the Feast of Unleavened Bread? Well that is what we want to look at now.

As you recall from earlier lessons in this study, there are many places in the Bible where leaven is known to be a type, a picture of sin. And, Hmmmm, I can see you already thinking. For you are already recalling what was just said in those verses about yeast and sin and unleavened. Right? Right! Good thinking. And let's continue with that thought.

Your assignment now is to read the following passages about the Feast of Unleavened Bread, its requirements, and its pictures and shadows. As you read, mark these passages with the same symbols and colors as you did before. (Re-read the instructions concerning the way you marked the Scriptures concerning Passover, if you have forgotten the details.)

In the Old Testament Scriptures, you will be marking Unleavened Bread, and what happens or what they are to do or not do,

In the New Testament Scriptures, you will be marking the Jesus words, Unleavened Bread, the specific things to eat or do, and the interpretation or explanation of what these things picture or shadow as types.

First, the Old Testament Scriptures:

Exodus 12: 15-20

15. For seven days you are to eat bread made without yeast. On the first day remove the yeast from your houses, for whoever eats anything with yeast in it from the first day through the seventh must be cut off from Israel. 16. On the first day hold a sacred assembly, and another one on the seventh day. Do no work at all on these days, except to prepare food for everyone to eat--that is all you may do. 17. "Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because it was on this very day that I brought your divisions out of Egypt. Celebrate this day as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. 18. In the first month you are to eat bread made without yeast, from the evening of the fourteenth day until the evening of the twenty-first day. 19. For seven days no yeast is to be found in your houses. And whoever eats anything with yeast in it must be cut off from the community of Israel, whether he is an alien or native-born. 20. Eat nothing made with yeast. Wherever you live, you must eat unleavened bread."

Exodus 13:3-10

3. Then Moses said to the people, "Commemorate this day, the day you came out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery, because the LORD brought you out of it with a mighty hand. Eat nothing containing yeast. 4. Today, in the month of Abib, you are leaving. 5. When the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Hivites and Jebusites--the land he swore to your forefathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey--you are to observe this ceremony in this month: 6. For seven days eat bread made without yeast and on the seventh day hold a festival to the LORD. 7. Eat unleavened bread during those seven days; nothing with yeast in it is to be seen among you, nor shall any yeast be seen anywhere within your borders. 8. On that day tell your son, `I do this because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.' 9. This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For the LORD brought you out of Egypt with his mighty hand. 10. You must keep this ordinance at the appointed time year after year.

Exodus 23:15

15. "Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread; for seven days eat bread made without yeast, as I commanded you. Do this at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in that month you came out of Egypt. "No one is to appear before me empty-handed.

Exodus 34:18

18. "Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread. For seven days eat bread made without yeast, as I commanded you. Do this at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in that month you came out of Egypt.

Numbers 28:17-25

17. On the fifteenth day of this month there is to be a festival; for seven days eat bread made without yeast. 18. On the first day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. 19. Present to the LORD an offering made by fire, a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram and seven male lambs a year old, all without defect. 20. With each bull prepare a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil; with the ram, two- tenths; 21. and with each of the seven lambs, one-tenth. 22. Include one male goat as a sin offering to make atonement for you. 23. Prepare these in addition to the regular morning burnt offering. 24. In this way prepare the food for the offering made by fire every day for seven days as an aroma pleasing to the LORD; it is to be prepared in addition to the regular burnt offering and its drink offering. 25. On the seventh day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work.

Deuteronomy 16:8

8. For six days eat unleavened bread and on the seventh day hold an assembly to the LORD your God and do no work.

Now, let's look at two New Testament passages which help to interpret and explain some of the things that are depicted in the Old Testament concerning the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Once again the New Testament tells us what the Old Testament was picturing (shadowing) as types. Again, we don't have time to do a full study on this, but, I think you will find this enlightening.

Mark 14:1-2

1. Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill him. 2. "But not during the Feast," they said, "or the people may riot."

Mark 14:22

22. While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body."

1 Corinthians 5:6-8

6. Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? 7. Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast--as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.

Ok, you have read the Old Testament "rules" for the Sacred Assembly (Feast) of Unleavened Bread and you have read in the New Testament the explanation of what Unleavened Bread pictured as a type or shadow. So, based on what you have read, answer these questions.

? When does the Feast of Unleavened Bread begin? On ___th day of the ___st month ( _______ ).

? What Feast (Sacred Assembly) immediately precedes the Feast of Unleavened Bread? __________

? How long does the Feast of Unleavened bread last? ________ days

? List what are they to do (and not do) during these seven days of the Feast of Unleavened bread.

? What is unleavened bread? ie. How is it made? (ie.What does it NOT contain?)

? Based on what you read in 1 Corinthians, explain what yeast (leaven) pictures or represents as a type or shadow?

? Since yeast (leaven) is a picture of malice and wickedness, does this mean that yeast is a picture, representation, or type of SIN?

YES

? Did Christ ever sin? __________

? Who and what, therefore, does Unleavened Bread picture as a shadow or type?

And this is affirmed again by Jesus Himself. Recall what you read in Mark 14:22. In fact, write that verse here:

Paul also referred to this in I Corinthians 11:23-26 when he (Paul) wrote:

23: For I (Paul) received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, 24. and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 25. In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26. For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

Now, let me set the scene for you concerning these passages. You will recall, at the time of the events recorded in Mark and in 1 Corinthians, Jesus and His disciples were observing the Passover Meal. When Jesus took the bread and said "Take it; this is My body...", the piece of bread that He most likely picked up was the AFIKOMEN. What is the Afikomen? Glad you asked!

At every Passover meal, even today, there are 3 pieces of unleavened bread placed on top of each other and which are on a napkin. The second (middle) piece of the 3 pieces of unleavened bread is called the AFIKOMEN. What does the Afikomen picture? You guessed it! It pictures Jesus! Let me explain.

The AFIKOMEN, is the second (middle) piece of 3 pieces of unleavened bread which are involved in an important ceremony during the Passover meal. The 3 pieces of unleavened bread picture the 3 aspects of the Godhead (the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit). The second (middle) piece is called the AFIKOMEN and is thought by many Theologians to be the piece of bread that Jesus took at the passover meal and broke and to which He referred when He said: "This is my body ... "

The Afikomen is the piece of bread that the Host of the Passover meal (usually the Father in Jewish homes and obviously, Jesus, at "the Last Supper" Passover meal), takes and breaks. Then he puts the broken piece back in its place between the other 2 pieces in a napkin and folds the napkin over the pieces including the broken Afikomen. The napkin is then hidden on the table or somewhere in the house. Later during the meal, the piece is "found" and eaten.

With all that in mind, let's look at this piece of bread, the Afikomen, even more closely.

The AFIKOMEN is unleavened bread which has been pierced and which has stripes. At the appropriate time during the course of the Passover meal, It is broken and then placed in the napkin and hidden. Then, later, but still during the Passover meal, the napkin with the Afikomen is "found" (usually by a child who was sent to search for it) and returned to the Passover table

Wow!

So what does all of this picture? Well, I am sure you can readily see what God is trying to teach His people through this very significant part of the Passover meal. Obviously, this middle piece of unleavened bread is intended to picture to the Jews, as a shadow or type, Jesus Christ, their Yeshua and Savior!

The Afikomen clearly pictures as a type or shadow, Yeshua, Jesus, as the sinless one, the unleavened bread, Who was pierced, beaten (stripes), and broken (in death). The hiding of the Afikomen pictures the fact that Jesus was hidden (buried) in the ground in death! The finding of the Afikomen pictures the resurrection of Jesus (Yeshua) from death to life!

Wow! What a wonderful and fantastic illustration (picture, shadow, type) that God gave to the Jews to picture the future coming of their Savior, Yeshua, Jesus Christ.

And, at the "Last Supper of Christ", which was the Passover meal, Jesus, took the Afikomen, and after praying, and breaking it, then said, "This is MY BODY." He then gave it to them to eat.

By doing this He was affirming to His disciples (and to all who will pay attention) that He IS the Son of God and that He is the fulfillment of the shadows and types represented by what they had been doing all these years when the Israelites at every Passover meal broke, hid, found, and ate the Afikomen.

Jesus was showing His disciples that what was soon to happen to Him ( ie that the fact that He was soon going to be beaten with stripes, broken in death and hidden in the grave in death) was THE fulfillment of what the Afikomen had pictured as a shadow or type for almost 1500 years.

And the REASON He was doing this was to provide Salvation from the death penalty of sin to anyone who would "eat" (ie. accept Jesus' substitutionary death in place of himself or herself and trusting ONLY in Jesus' death as the payment for the sin penalty that everyone in the world owes -- including you and me).

What a God! What a Savior! Thank You, Jesus!

Astounding. Awesome. And, once again the Bible has been its own commentary and explained all of this to us!

And there is more, so much more that these Feasts (Sacred Assemblies) picture as shadows and types, But, we must continue on or this lesson will last forever. But, speaking of "forever," when we get to heaven (those of us who accept Jesus' gift of His life for ours), we can have all the time we want to learn about this and all the other things pictured in the Feasts. Wow. I can hardly wait.

But, in the meantime, we must continue on in this "brief" study of the Spring Feasts..

So, by way of review, recall that the Feast of Passover immediately precedes the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and The Feast of Unleavened Bread lasts for 7 days (one week). Therefore, the Passover (1 day) plus the Feast of Unleavened Bread (7 days) comprise a total of 8 days and both feasts together are often referred to as "Passover."

However, there is one more Feast nestled within this group of 3 Spring feasts and which occurs within this same 8 day time frame. Remember, this group or 8 day "week" is often called "Passover" because it begins with the Feast of Passover and since all 3 feasts are so closely related and linked in time, meaning, and purpose. This 3rd of these 3 "Passover week feasts" is, of course, the Feast of Firstfuits and we will study that next. I just mention it now so you will see that all 3 of these Sacred Assemblies (Feasts) are interinked and corporately picture Jesus Christ in His work of Redemption and Salvation.

Passover, we now know, not only commemorates the day of freedom from slavery and bondage to Egypt (which is often pictured as a "type of the world and its bondage by sin") but Passover also pictures, as a shadow or type, Jesus as the Sacrificial Lamb, and the Bread which was pierced, beaten (stripes), and broken (in death). And, as the Lamb.. and as the Bread... He is the ONLY ultimate and permanent atonement for SIN and the ONLY ultimate and permanent way of escape from the bondage of sin to the freedom from sin and new life provided by Jesus!

We also discovered that Jesus is the unleavened (sinless) bread of life. Therefore, the Feast of Unleavened Bread pictures the fact that sin must be and is purged by the sacrificial death of the perfect and sinless Jesus. Unleavened bread, therefore, is also a picture, a shadow of Jesus! And it is ONLY by personally and individually acknowledging and accepting the substitute death of the sinless body (bread) of Jesus the sinless Lamb, that Jews and gentiles (non-Jews ) can have their sins forgiven.

Wow!

Obviously, as you are already discovering, the bottom line in ALL of these Feasts is that The Lord God Jesus Christ is being pictured. These 3 feasts of "Passover" were, therefore, Prophetic in that they all pointed toward the future coming of the ultimate and final Perfect, sinless, substitute sacrifice for sin.

And, yes, there is still much more that could be said about these first two feasts, but, time does not permit. So, let's continue on and look at the 3rd Feast in this group of SPRING feasts. And, as you recall, the third Feast (Sacred Assembly) is The Feast of ______________.

Yes, you are correct. It is the Feast of Firstfruits! What does this mean? And why is it important? Good questions! So let's find out.

FIRST FRUITS, the 3rd Sacred Assembly

The Feast of First fruits is another very important Sacred Assembly! It pictures as a shadow or type something that is very significant to the Church today. So, sit up, pay attention, and let's find out what this feast and its elements picture (shadow) as a type.

And, we will use our usual method of discovery, which is to first read and mark some of the Old Testament passages which describe the Feast and then we will read some New Testament passages which explain it for us. Ready? OK.

First, let's read the Old Testament verses (which you have read before in Leviticus), and as you read, as you have done before, mark the phrases or words such as it, used to mean the same thing, Sheaf of the first grain, the sheaf (this is where we get the term "Firstfruits"), and what happens or what they are to do or not do,

Leviticus 23:9-14

9. The LORD said to Moses, 10. "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: `When you enter the land I am going to give you and you reap its harvest, bring to the priest a sheaf of the first grain you harvest. 11. He is to wave the sheaf before the LORD so it will be accepted on your behalf; the priest is to wave it on the day after the Sabbath. 12. On the day you wave the sheaf, you must sacrifice as a burnt offering to the LORD a lamb a year old without defect, 13. together with its grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil--an offering made to the LORD by fire, a pleasing aroma--and its drink offering of a quarter of a hin of wine. 14. You must not eat any bread, or roasted or new grain, until the very day you bring this offering to your God. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live.

Ok, we have seen what the Old Testament says about this Feast, now let's see how the New Testament explains or interprets these events.

As you read the following New Testament verses, do the following:

1. As you have done before, mark the Jesus words with a blue cross (or symbol and color of your choice).

2. Mark Firstfruits by putting a green circle around each occurrence of this word or words used in its place.

3. Mark every reference to seed, seeds, or words used in the place of these words, by putting a brown circle around each occurrence the word

4. Underline or highlight in red the interpretation or explanation of Who or what the Sheath (Firstfruits) offering pictured or shadowed as a type.

5. Put a black circle around death, die, and other words used in place of those words

6. Put a yellow circle around the words live, living, raised, risen and any other words having to do with living again after dying.

Romans 8:20-23

20. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21. that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. 22. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

John 12:23-24

23. Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

Matthew 28:1-10

1. After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: `He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." 8. So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

Mark 16:1-7

1. When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. 2. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3. and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?" 4. But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6. "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, `He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.'"

Luke 24:1-7

1. On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3. but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6. He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7. `The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'"

1 Corinthians 15:20-23

20. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.

Galatians 3:16, 29

16. The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person, who is Christ.

...

29. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Hmmm. Very significant!

As you noticed, the term, First fruits, is not used in Leviticus 23 in the NIV version, but the concept is clearly presented. That is why we marked the "concept" phrases and words (Sheaf of first grain, the sheaf, it, etc). The day that this Sheath of first grain was waved as an offering (of Firstfruits) was on the 16th day of the 1st month (Abib).

You will recall that the observance of Passover was on the _____th day of the 1st Month and Unleavened Bread was on the _____ th day of the 1st Month. Now we see Firstfuits being offered on the ______ th day of the first month.

Hmmmm. Interesting! On the 3rd day of this grouping of 3 feasts (which last for a total of 8 days), we note that the Feast of Firstfruits (the Waving of the Sheath, the waving of the Sheaf of the first grain) is observed.

Passover occurred on the 14th day of the 1st Month. (The 14th was the day before the Sabbath. The Sabbath is our Saturday. Hmmmm. Interesting. This seems to place Passover on a Friday! Imagine that! Hmmmmm.)

? And, on Passover a perfect (without defect / sinless) __________ was sacrificed (killed) and its blood was the atonement for Sin.

? The Sabbath (our Saturday) was the 15th and is the day of the Feast of _____________________.

? Unleavened bread is bread without yeast and yeast is a picture (shadow / type) of ________

? Since the Passover occurred on the day before the Sabbath (on the 14th) and the Feast of Unleavened Bread occurred on the 15th, the Sabbath (our Saturday on the Western calendar), when did the Feast of Firstfruits occur? (hint, read Lev. 23:11) The feast of First fruits (the waving of the Sheath) occurred on the 16th, the day __________ the Sabbath.

Yes, the feast of First fruits occurred on the 16th, the day after the Sabbath, which is the First day of the week.

? What day is the First day of the week on the calendar? ________________

Yes, you are absolutely correct, the First day of the week, the day that the Sheaf offering of the First fruits of the harvest was waved, was on a Sunday! Astounding. Do you see what this is picturing??? Yes! I am sure you do. And the New Testament clearly explains what this is picturing.

Look again at 1 Corinthians 15:20-23. Write those verses in the space below:

In Leviticus, we are told that the Sheath offering was waved on the first day of the week, at the beginning of the harvest. The Sheath was the Firstfruits. It was representative of the harvest to come. The sheath that was waved was the First of the crop to be harvested. It was the proof, the assurance, the promise, the evidence that there was going to be a harvest and that the harvest was beginning.

Let's look at this in more detail. Specifically, let's find out about the sheath, the first of the crop (harvest), and the crop (harvest) itself. For each of these things is a type (shadow). What we need to know, then, is type or shadow of what? So, fasten your seat belt and let's continue.

When a seed is planted, the planting consists of the seed being put into the ground. Then, after having died, it is transformed into a new life which grows and produces a crop (harvest) of "fruit." This is explained by Jesus Himself in John 12:23-24 and in several other New Testament verses which you read.

? Now, based on what you just read and wrote, Who is being pictured as a type or shadow in the Old Testament as the seed that was placed in the ground and which was brought back to life in a transformed new and changed life visible as the Sheaf that is waved in the Sheath offering? _____________

? Saying that again, Who is the seed and FIRST FRUIT of the harvest? ____________

? Did Jesus die? _________

? On what Feast (Sacred Assembly) day did Jesus die? ____________

? What was the purpose of Jesus' death?

? Did Jesus rise from the dead? _________

? On what day of the week did Jesus rise from the dead? ___________ And, What Sacred Assembly (Feast) occurs on the day after the Sabbath, the First day of the week, the day Jesus rose from the dead? _____________

? Since the First fruit offering serves as an assurance, a promise that there is a harvest to come and that there will be a crop (harvest) produced, what does this tell you about The Lord God Jesus Christ, Who is the Sheaf that is waved and Who is the Firstfruit of the harvest? Jesus is the _________ from which the harvest and crop will come.

Since Jesus is the seed, the sinless substitute life, Who died, was buried, and Who came back to life as is pictured as the Sheath of first fruits that is waved on the 3rd day as the Wave Sheath offering of the First fruits, what, then, is the relationship of those who believe in and trust in Jesus as their substitute sacrifice and payment for sin? Those who believe in Jesus for their salvation are the _____________ that is promised

What does this tell you about those who believe and trust in Jesus as their Lord and Savior? It tells us that those who trust in Jesus for their salvation are the __________ , the ___________ that is produced from the seed, Jesus Christ.

Now, as a summary, in the space provided below, in your own words, Who and what do these first 3 Feasts (Sacred Assemblies) which occur in the 1st Month of the Jewish calendar, picture as shadows? In other words, what was God trying to tell to His people, the Jewish nation (and to anyone who would participate in or observe these Feasts), concerning future events and fulfillments of the types and shadows which these Feasts pictured? (If you need more space, and you probably will, please feel free to use extra paper. Do not be limited by this space. If the the Holy Spirit is showing you things and giving you understanding and insight into this, write it down!)

WOW!

Yes, you are absolutely correct, these 3 Feasts (Sacred Assemblies), Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits are picturing, as a shadow, the future (to God's people, the Jewish nation) coming of Jesus Christ and the work that He will do to to provide them total and complete salvation from sin and the bondage of sin!

It is not the death and blood of the lamb(s) that they sacrificed, year after year, at each Passover, that would be the ultimate payment for their sin debt. The lamb(s) and the blood each year were only a picture (shadow, type) of the future sacrifice of the One and Only Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ!

2000 years ago, the shadows of these 3 Spring Feasts were fulfilled when The Lord God Jesus Christ died on the cross of calvary, shedding His blood as the payment for sin. The breaking of the Afikomen also pictures Jesus' death. Jesus, Yeshua, died as the sinless (perfect, without leaven, the Afikomen) Passover Lamb, the Savior to redeem the Jews and all mankind (all who will let Him by accepting His gift of salvation and making Him the Lord of their lives) from bondage to sin and from the death penalty which sin requires. That was the picture of the Sacred Assembly (Feast) of Passover!

The Feast of Unleavened Bread reemphasized and further pictured the necessity to be rid of ALL sin. As a part of the observance of this Sacred Assembly, there was a complete purging of ALL leaven (representing sin). The houses were meticulously and carefully searched and cleansed (purged) from all leaven. No leaven (yeast) was to be eaten in any form or fashion during the 7 Day Sacred Assembly of Unleavened Bread.

Why all this emphasis on getting rid of all sin (leaven)? Because, only the sinless are able to enter into God's Holy presence!

Then, the victorious resurrection of Yeshua, Jesus Christ is depicted by God to His people, the Jews, in the observance of the 3rd Feast, the Feast of Firstfruits. After dying to pay the death penalty, on the Third day (the exact day of the Feast of Firstfruits), Jesus rose to life and to live again. The 3rd day is as you know, the Day of the wave offering of the Sheath of Firstfruits. Astounding!

Jesus was the firstfruits of the harvest (the crop) which consists of all who trust in Him to provide the sacrifice for their salvation. Jesus' sacrifice and death and His resurrection to life as the firstfruits of the harvest of those who trust in Him as their Savior, is pictured in these Spring "Passover feasts."

But, the question you and I need to ask ourselves now is, "Am I part of that harvest?"

IF you have trusted in Jesus as your substitute sacrifice, you are.

But, IF you haven't yet trusted Him, NOW is the time. Do not delay! Your eternal destiny depends upon this.

For 3500 years Jesus, and the salvation He provides, has been pictured to the Jews and to anyone who will open their eyes and "see."

The Message pictured in the 3 Spring Feasts of "Passover" is Trust Jesus and live forever with Him as part of His harvest of sinners saved from the penalty of death. Because Jesus, the Afikomen, the Lamb of God, paid the sin penalty for us, anyone can accept His substitute death, die with Him, and now live eternally with Him as part of His "forever harvest"!

Yes, all of this was pictured as shadows and types of things to come in the observance of the First 3 Sacred Assemblies (the Feasts) which were observed in the Spring of each year, in the First Month of the Jewish Sacred Calendar.

Wow! and Praise the Lord!

Well, in closing....Yes, we have learned a lot about the first 3 of the 7 Sacred Assemblies (Feasts) which the Jewish people observe each year. And, there is still much more that these feasts picture and shadow for us -- much much more than we can even begin to cover in this "brief" study of the Feasts (Sacred Assemblies). This study, as wonderful as it was, only hit the highlights of a very rich understanding of what these 3 Feasts picture and shadow as prophecies concerning Christ and future events.

In our next lesson we will learn about the 4th Feast, the Feast of Weeks. This is another very significant feast with amazing prophetic types, shadows, and fulfilments. So, please join us as we continue this study in the next lesson. See 'ya there!

Scriptures, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the

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Used by permission of Zondervan Publishers.

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