7th Day - Feast of Unleavened Bread, 2022; April 22, 2022

 7th Day - Feast of Unleavened Bread, 2022                            April 22, 2022 

We are here today to celebrate this last, Feast Day, the seventh day of unleavened bread and is one of the annual Holy High Days. What do we do now, as we go forwards after this feast.  What does the Scriptures revealed about this day: 

How did it go this last week?  Did we make the effort to eat Unleavened Bread every day?  Are we already tired of the Unleavened Bread?  Are we ready for some real bread, like a juicy hamburger with bread, and leaven bread or hot rolls?  What did you miss most. 

What are we going to do now as we move past the Days of Unleavened Bread heading towards Pentecost, 50 Days away.  

Remember, we already covered leaven which represents sin on the First High Day and we are to put sin out of our lives or out of the Temple we are. 

Exodus 13:6-8 You are to eat unleavened bread for seven days, and on the seventh day there is to be a festival to the LORD.  (7)  Unleavened bread is to be eaten for seven days, and nothing leavened is to be seen among you, nor is leaven to be seen among you throughout your territory.  (8)  And you are to tell your child on that day, 'This is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.' 

What does the Scriptures really say about this day: 

Exodus 13:9-10 This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead {Why} that this 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. 

We are to come out of sin with high hand, realizing our sins have been forgiven. 

The seven Days of Unleavened Bread to picture that after our sins have been forgiven through the sacrifice of Jesus  

1 Corinthians 5:7 Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch; as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 

We are to no longer to continue in the old ways but to walk in the true ways of the Bible. 

1 Corinthians 5:8 Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 

The Days of Unleavened Bread helps us to understand that sin is to put out of our lives and reminds us about this, sin: 

1 Peter 5:8-9 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  (9)  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.   {we seem to read vs 8, but not vs 9}

We know, the Bible explains how Israel came to a place they could not escape, God saved then and took them out of sin {Egypt is a type if sin}. 

Let’s us realize this occurs at the end of the week of Unleavened Bread on the Last High Day, not at the beginning. 

God had to deliver the Israelites from Egypt {a type of sin} by a miracle. 

Numbers 33:3 They departed from Rameses on the first month, the fifteenth day of the first month. The day after the Passover, the Israelis came out confidently, and all the Egyptians watched them leave, 

This is how Israel celebrate the first day of Unleavened Bread.

They were FREE! They had just been redeemed.

They came out of sin as we came out of sin, Passover. 

Exodus 12:31 During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested.  (32)  Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go. And also bless me."    {3 days – Exodus 3:18, 8:27} 

Exodus 12:34-35 So the people took their dough before it was leavened, with their kneading bowls wrapped up in their cloaks on their shoulders.  (35)  Meanwhile, the Israelis had done as Moses said; they had asked the Egyptians for objects of silver and objects of gold, and for clothes.  

Exodus 12:36 The LORD had given the people favor in the eyes of the Egyptians, so that they gave them what they requested; and so they plundered the Egyptians.  {past payment for services as a slave} 

Exodus 12:37 The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Sukkoth. There were about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children.  (38)  Many other people went up with them, and also large droves of livestock, both flocks and herds.   

Exodus 12:39 With the dough the Israelites had brought from Egypt, they baked loaves of unleavened bread. The dough was without yeast because they had been driven out of Egypt and did not have time to prepare food for themselves. 

They wanted to get out, as quickly as possible. 

Exodus 12:41-42 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years; on that very same day; it came to pass that all the armies of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. (42) It is a night of solemn observance {night of the LORD to be observed to the LORD} for bringing them out of the land of Egypt. This is that night of the LORD, a solemn observance for all the children of Israel throughout their generations. 

They were thrilled to leave 

We can walk out of Satan's world which is often easier for us than it is staying out, because of the trials that comes on us later. 

Exodus 13:15 When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed the firstborn of both people and animals in Egypt. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD {animal} the first male offspring of every womb and redeem {payment} each of my firstborn sons.' 

Pillars of Cloud and Fire 

Exodus 13:17-18 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, "If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt."  (18)  So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle {orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt}..

It is always the right way when God is leading them and us personally. 

Exodus 13:20-22 After leaving Sukkoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert.  (21)  By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.  (22)  Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. 

·      We are told to walk by faith and not by sight, but God had quite a bit of mercy on Israel.

·      They had a visual aid that was there all the time, by day and by night, a cloud or a pillar of fire.

·      All they had to do was look up, and their faith could be encourage. 

·       Cloud for shade for during hot daylight time, fire for light and warm in the cold night 

We also have a visual aid, the Holy Scriptures to instruct us and the Holy Spirit to lead us.  Jesus gives us a promise. 

Romans 8:14 For all who are led by God's Spirit are God's children.

Exodus 14:1-2  Then the LORD said to Moses,  (2)  "Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon. 

They have been going eastward, but God told them to go south and camp by the sea. 

Verse 3 gives the reason why: 

Exodus 14:3 Pharaoh will think, 'The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.' 

·      Let’s look at the map, notice a ridgeline goes down the western edge of the Red Sea and cliffs become close to the water’s edge. 

·      The cliffs blocks them in front as they were traveling north,

·      To their east was the Red Sea. They were closed in on three sides

·      The Sea on the right, and the cliffs before them and to the left.

·      And guess who was coming from the south (behind them). 

Exodus 14:8-9  The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly.  (9)  The Egyptians—all Pharaoh's horses and chariots, horsemen and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon. 

We find that Israel is a type for us, and had to be baptized in the Red Sea as we are to be baptize.  Warning from the Apostle Paul. 

1 Corinthians 10:1-4 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea.  (2)  They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.  (3)  They all ate the same spiritual food  (4)  and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 

1 Corinthians 10:11-12 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.  (12)  So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!   

Terrified is a typical human reaction when you have 100,000 men (and their horses and chariots) coming down on you, wanting your blood. 

Standstill, and see the salvation of the LORD, 

Exodus 14:10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. 

Exodus 14:13-14 And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.  (14)  The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." 

·      The crossing of the Red Sea was on the last day of Unleavened Bread.

·      This crossing of the Red Sea signified that Israel was, at long last, finally free from Egyptian domination. Freedom was then a reality.

·      For us, Jesus free us of sin and other trials that threaten to hold us back.

·      We need to trust in the Lord Jesus and He is standing on the far bank, with the Holy Spirit showing us the way. 

What was God's reaction to Israel:  Moses was given a directive to trust in God. 

Exodus 14:15-16 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.  (16)  Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.  

Standing still is never a solution, making it through a trial, always give our thanks to our Father and Lord Jesus. 

Exodus 14:17-18 (17) I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen.  (18)  The Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen." 

God said to move on or forward. 

Exodus 14:19-20 Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel's army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, (20)  coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long. 

The cloud’s movement did two things here 

·      It stopped the Egyptian army from attacking, giving God and Israel time to act: God to open the sea, and Israel to cross it.

·      The second thing that it did, was that it blocked the Israelites from returning to Egypt. They could not surrender. They were forced to move forward.

·      Are we not forced to move forward in this Way of Life and not turn back. 

2 Peter 2:20-22 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.  (21)  It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.  (22)  Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit," and, "A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud."

Exodus 14:21-23 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided,  (22)  and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.  (23)  The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea.   

Exodus 14:24-25 During the last watch of the night the LORD looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion.  (25)  He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, "Let's get away from the Israelites! The LORD is fighting for them against Egypt." 

A remarkable miracle has occurred.  

Exodus 14:26-27 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen."  (27)  Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the LORD swept them into the sea. 

The Egyptians seems as if they got confused, fleeing the wrong direction. 

Exodus 14:28-29 The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.  (29)  But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.   

Exodus 14:30-31 (30)  That day the LORD saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore.  (31)  And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant. 

They were caught in a box canyon and God delivered then a way out.

If we get caught in a box canyon or trials in our lives, God promise that He will deliver us from trials in our lives. 

The Song of Moses 

Exodus 15:2 "The LORD is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. 

·      Always remember, trust in God, for He is the source of freedom. 

·      Trust in ourselves, for only we have the power to move ourselves forward with the Holy Spirit directing our way. 

·      Never stop moving forward.

·      Seek freedom from sin and pursue freedom because it is precious.  Remember, this as we eat Unleavened Bread this feast. 

Israel passed through Red Sea and was baptized into Moses on the seventh day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread described as “the salvation of the LORD”. 

1 Corinthians 10:1-2 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea.  (2)  They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.  

1 Corinthians 10:3-4 They all ate the same spiritual food  (4)  and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 

God will always provide a way for us to escape. 

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.ays of Unleavened Bread.  We are to go on in this Way of Life, following Jesus, our Lord and Creator. 

We are to study His words to grow in grace and knowledge and to learn the Way of Life that Jesus instructed us to learn.  

Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. 

Finally, we are commanded to: 

Mark 16:15 Then he told them, "As you go into all the world, proclaim the gospel to everyone. 

Just not by our words, but by our actions.  Let’s our light shine to the world and we go forward to the next feast day and High Day, Day of Pentecost.