Building on the Foundation

  Guest blog post by Richard Gray The Night to Be Much Observed is an annual observance held by the churches of God. It is celebrated on the night of the fifteenth of Abib, the first of God’s seven annual holy days. The tradition is to gather together in one another’s homes or as a group in some facility to enjoy a meal and fellowship. This meal is to celebrate Israel’s journey from Rameses to Succoth, about twenty-four hours after they had observed Passover. It is said that they stopped there to have a meal late on the night of the fifteenth of Abib.  This is based on Exodus 12:42. “It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations” (KJV). This is indeed a night that God commands us to observe, but is having a meal, to celebrate Israel having a meal, is that what God is commanding us to do?  What is the great spiritual significance ...

  In 1 Corinthians 11, the apostle Paul admonished us regarding the Passover, “Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup” (1 Cor. 11:27-28). This word “examine” is the same one translated “test” in 1 Thes. 5:21: “Test all things; hold fast what is good.” It’s Strong’s # G1381, dokimazo , and it means to try, test, examine, prove, or scrutinize. So before Passover, each one of us must scrutinize and examine his or her own heart, to avoid partaking in an unworthy manner. Among the Corinthians, failure to do this brought about God’s judgment: “For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep” (1 Cor. 11:30). Paul added, “For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged” (v. 31). By this time, most of us have probably begun de-leavening our houses in anticipation of the Feast of Unleaven...

  God’s Word is filled with Passover symbolism and foreshadows of Jesus Christ’s death as our Passover Lamb. In fact, one could make a case that the entire Bible points to Passover because the entire Bible points to “Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2) — and that’s what Passover is all about! “Before the foundation of the world” (1 Pet. 1:20), God planned for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to cover our sins. And at Creation, even before He had created man, God likewise established His appointed times or Holy Days — including Passover, setting the sun and moon in the sky “for signs and seasons [ moedim ; appointed times], and for days and years” (Gen. 1:14). So the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the symbolism of Passover is woven throughout the Bible, from the very beginning to the end. The Bible first mentions “unleavened bread,” or the Hebrew matzah (Strong’s # H4682), in Gen. 19, the story of Lot. Now I don’t know whether this event literally took place at Passover or not, but ...

  There is a legend that there was once a God who became flesh and dwelt among men, a God who gave His own life so that these created creatures might have a chance at eternal life and becoming part of His family. This God was beaten and murdered by His own creation, but He did it willingly and without a protest.  This very same God who once died so that all might have life more abundantly and so that He might unwind the curse of death will once again come to free us from the grasp of death for all time as the coming Holy day season pictures.  With Passover, the memorial of this death, just around the corner, now is the perfect time to talk about the importance of preparing for it. The Passover kicks off the Holy day season, and it is the foundation of our faith; as such, it is essential that we understand the necessity of planning ahead. The most important component of Passover is Christ, for without Christ and His sacrifice for our sins, there would be no remission and c...