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 Exodus 12:42, we read of a momentous night in Biblical history: "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." From this passage, those who observe Passover at the beginning of Nisan 14 (Abib 14) have concluded that the Night to Be Much Observed is a separate observance to be observed one night later, on the night of Nisan 15 (Abib 15). This night happens to be the beginning of the First Day of Unleavened Bread. Here are some questions to consider about the Night to Be Much Observed. Why is the Night to Be Much Observed mentioned nowhere in Scripture, other than Ex. 12:42? Why are numerous Passover observances mentioned in Scripture, but never any observance of the "Night to Be Much Observed"? The "Night to Be Much Observed" is not mentioned at Israel's second Passover in Num. 9 It is never mentioned amon...