Is Our Bread Really Unleavened?

Exo 13:6-7 KJV
(6) Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the LORD.
(7) Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters.

The week of Unleavened Bread is a week-long festival that was instituted by God. This festival began with Passover, included the days of Unleavened Bread, and concluded with First Fruits. This was quite a week! The Jewish people took this extremely seriously, as if the above command from God left much room for otherwise. This was a time of introspection for the Hebrews. They removed all traces of yeast from their homes. They removed anything that 'might' ferment. Many even change the feed for their livestock in order to make the milk more kosher. This is serious!

The first thing we might think as western Christians is 'silliness'. Or 'what legalism!'

To me, this is what we, as western believers, have missed in our walk with Jesus. In our pious quests for righteousness, we have become more like the rich young ruler who was looking for a bare minimum requirement for inheriting the kingdom. (Matt 19:16) We put in our time and we 'call it good'. To the Hebrew, this is a flawed perspective. It fails to treat God as who He really is - Holy. Zephaniah said this:

Zep 1:12 KJV
(12) And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.

The Hebrew reads this and concludes in his heart that God is not one to be trifled with. He is one who searches the hearts of men meticulously. The Christian reads this passage and might conclude that God sure had it out for Israel back then. Aren't we grateful for grace!

So we play our grace card... and go back to our lives of part-time righteousness and sin-management.

In my own heart, I find it a travesty to think that we can be saved as of by fire, living life as if God does not care while next to us stands a Jewish man who does not believe Jesus was Messiah yet strains with all his might to walk as his father Abraham did - in faith and purity - believing that God is good and Holy and will keep His promises. This is very difficult for me to reconcile. Salvation is by faith. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Somewhere, however, many of us as Christians have MISSED holiness. We should look to the examples others have set and learn from them.

The 8th Day

My pastor reminded me of the 8th day this evening. The Jews celebrate Shemini Atzeret, or the 8th day which falls after the 7 days of Sukkot (Tabernacles). If 8 is the day of new beginnings, certainly Shemini Atzeret is a great way to begin a new cycle.

Following the Jewish festivals, the final (7th) High Holy Day is Sukkot, which is synonymous with the 7th millennium or the 1000 year reign of Jesus on earth. This is the Sabbath 'day'. Shemini Atzeret would be the following 'day', or 1000 years, and it looks like this:

Jesus said, "Behold, I make all things new. There will be no more tears, nor death." (Paraphrased by myself)

It's the day after the big party (Tabernacles). All of the family that was itching to go home has gone, and it's just you and the Lord reclining at a giant table sipping wine and eating grapes. Basically, you are r-e-l-a-x-e-d and just thrilled to be in the presence of the Lord, and none-too happy about the thought of leaving. He says, "I know the party is over, but please... stay a little longer. We'll just visit a while. Don't rush off."

Can you imagine? Seriously... CAN YOU IMAGINE HIM SAYING THAT TO YOU?

That is Shemini Atzeret, the 8th day. Do not be in a hurry to leave the presence of the King. Perhaps, the party is really just getting started!