Today we are looking at the first of the three other feasts besides Passover that God set up and commanded his people to keep every year. We are in chapter twenty-three of Exodus with our word for today which is actually a phrase used for the first time in the Bible. חַ֣ג הַמַּצּוֹת֮ feast of unleavened bread. It is used 8 times in the Old Testament. Let’s look at our uses starting with the first one in our chapter for today. Exodus 23:14-15 Three times in the year you shall keep a feast to me. You shall keep חַ֣ג הַמַּצּוֹת֮the Feast of Unleavened Bread. As I commanded you, you shall eat unleavened bread for seven days at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt. In Leviticus we see more details about all the feasts that God set up and what day of the month our phrase is to be celebrated on (Leviticus 23:4-8). So unleavened bread was on the 15th of the month right after Passover which was on the 14th. We have a reference to how many people came to this feast during King Hezekiah’s reforms. 2 Chronicles 30:12-14 And many people came together in Jerusalem to keep the חַ֥ג הַמַּצּ֖וֹת Feast of Unleavened Bread in the second month, a very great assembly. We also have a reference to this feast being kept during the rule of King Josiah. 2 Chronicles 35:17-18 And the people of Israel who were present kept the Passover at that time, and the חַ֥ג הַמַּצּ֖וֹת Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days. No Passover like it had been kept in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet. None of the kings of Israel had kept such a Passover as was kept by Josiah, and the priests and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Notice that sometimes like here the Feast of Unleavened Bread is included along with Passover and just referred to as Passover. This is probably because it was so close together and related. Also the inference here and earlier with Hezekiah was that the people didn’t always keep this feast as God had commanded them to. We don’t find a reference to this specifically but we have several of the people not keeping the Passover feast which would have included the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 2 Chronicles 30:5 The people should come and keep the Passover to the Lord, the God of Israel, at Jerusalem, for they had not kept it as often as prescribed. 2 Kings 23:22-23 For no such Passover had been kept since the days of the judges who judged Israel, or during all the days of the kings of Israel or of the kings of Judah. But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah this Passover was kept to the Lord in Jerusalem. This reminds me of God reminding us through the book of Hebrews for our need to gather together as his people. Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. It is for our benefit to meet regularly with other believers because we can forget all that God has and is doing for us. In the New Testament we see Jesus gathering with his followers for Passover where he starts communion or the Lord’s Supper. Notice what he says about it. Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” We are to remember just like the original Passover where the people were to remember that God delivered them out of slavery we are to remember Jesus death in our place. He saved us from our sins that separated us God. So now we can be reconnected to our Father who loves us so.
