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 ...

  Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread mark the beginning of God’s plan of salvation. For ancient Israel, this feast launched a journey out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. For us today, it portrays the beginning of a journey out of this wicked world and into God’s Kingdom. This journey cannot begin without one vital step: separation. God separates and distinguishes His people from those around them. Had there been no separation or distinction between the Israelites and the Egyptians, there could have been no deliverance for Israel. If there’s no separation or distinction between us and the world around us, there can be no deliverance for us, either. Indeed, the whole Feast of Passover/Unleavened Bread, from beginning to end, is all about separation! We might go so far as to call it the feast of separation. Making a Difference For ancient Israel, the process of separation started during the months prior to Passover. After the first three plagues, God spoke through Moses a...

  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...