Are you resisting God. because you don't understand some facet of His truth? Obedience to your Creator must come through faith.
The Bible, in no uncertain terms, relates the stories of two different kinds of people: those who questioned God and disobeyed His orders because they were displeased with His answers, and those who obeyed Him without questioning. The first way leads to eternal death: the second way leads to eternal life.
Be honest with yourself! How do you ask questions about the Bible? How do you seek the truth? Is it wrong to ask questions? Why do you ask questions? Is it to learn or to argue? To understand or to rationalize? To obey or to rebel?
More often than not, people ask questions not because they are truly interested in the answer, but because they are looking for an excuse to disagree - to not submit themselves to an order - OR simply to pretend they are smart.
For instance, to the carnal mind, Sabbath keeping doesn't make much sense. What's so holy about the seventh day of the week? Why should the Sabbath be different, than any other day? What difference does it make whether God rested in that day or not?
The answer, of course is utterly simple for those who believe in God and are honestly searching for the truth. If for no other reason, we keep the Sabbath because God says to!
Faith does not require understanding.
Strange as it may seem, your obedience to God does not depend upon His answers to your "whys."
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:l ). Notice!
The Bible does not say, "Faith is the answer to all of your questions" or "the satisfaction of your intellectual curiosity. Faith is implicit trust in God and His Word - whether you, understand its meaning or not. You believe God without questioning - and do what He says.
"For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear" (verses 2-3).; The understanding is through faith, and not by arriving at some answer that is plausible to you - the answer that humanly you may have wanted. When you grasp this truth, your attitude will change, and you will have a totally different outlook on life-a depth of faith in God that you have never experienced before.
Adam and Eve missed the point
Our first parents questioned God's orders and refused to believe Him. God commanded Adam: "Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (Gen. 2:16-17).
And as Adam and Eve let doubts enter their minds, they gradually became vulnerable to Satan's destructive deceptions. Why indeed had God given them such an unfair order? Why didn't He want them to eat of that particular fruit? Why, of all the trees in the garden, should this one be forbidden? The couple was unable - actually unwilling - to understand God's reasons and they refused to obey Him without fully grasping the purpose of His order - and agreeing with it.
And so came about, as Herbert W. Armstrong has called it, the first "scientific experiment." It was based on distrust of God's Word! Adam and Eve yielded to their intellectual curiosity - to vanity. "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her and he did eat" (Gen. 3:6).
Think. Where did the pair get the idea that the tree was good for food and would "make one wise"? Had God told them that? No. Under Satan's influence, Adam and Eve convinced themselves that it was possible for them to reach the goal of Godship without submitting to God's order. They rejected the Holy Spirit - which, in time, would have caused them to understand everything they needed to know for salvation.
Do you see how this can also affect all of us as Christians? If your obedience, to God depends upon His answers to your questions - answers that will satisfy you - then you are most vulnerable to Satan's - attacks. Satan is today trying to divide the Church by putting doubts in God's people's minds!
Noah didn't ask why
"Noah was righteous before God-How can we be? The Bible simply states, "Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God" (Gen. 6:9).
Unlike Adam and Eye, Noah did not question God's orders. He didn't doubt His Creator's intentions and Word. "Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he" (verse 22).
Simple, isn't it? A childlike faith. Yet, ironic as it may seem, many people today, swayed by their intellectual vanity, claim that the biblical account of Noah's ark is not scientific. They are, convinced - despite what God says - that the ark could not. have been big enough to shelter all of the animals. Or they raise questions about how the animals of their own accord came into the ark. None of this, in the minds of the "wise" of this world, is scientific. In short, they distrust God's Word.
But Noah didn't. He faithfully obeyed the order, went ahead with the construction and after many years of hard labor, completed it - just in time, before the waters came. Noah trusted God's scientific mind!
Abraham's obedience
Abraham's life is one of the most difficult stories for a carnal mind to accept. In some ways, it may even( sound illogical to a Converted mind. Just imagine! Abraham was 75 years, old when God told him, "Get thee out. of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee" (Gen. 12:1).
But Why? Why should an older man be ordered to leave his homeland and settle in an unknown country? Why couldn't God choose a younger man? After all, Abraham was prosperous and blessed in his native country. He was a happy man, why did he have to move? Wouldn't God have blessed him or his children in some other ways - ways that would have been more humane and more logical?
However valid these questions may seem our forefather Abraham didn't ask them. He trusted God and obeyed Him. "So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken unto him"(verse 4)
And how about the Unthinkable order God, gave the old patriarch to sacrifice Isaac, the son he loved? Does that really make sense? Is it just - is it godly - to kill a son and burn him as an offering?
Let's face it - Abraham could have found numerous reasons to argue with God - to even doubt Him. Why did God have to put him through such difficult tests? Can you possibly obey a God who tells you to kill your son, when He Himself has emphatically ordered you, "Thou shall not kill"? Why in the world would God give such an impossible order?
Again, humanly speaking, these are logical questions, but Abraham knew that his obedience to God was not subject to his perfect understanding of God's orders. He unconditionally trusted and obeyed his Creator, who knows all things best.
"And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass., and took two of his young men with, him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up and went unto the place of which God had told him" (Gen. 22:3).
What an attitude! Would you have acted the same way? Would you have obeyed God without raising all kinds of objections? No wonder Abraham is called the father of us all" (Rom 4:16) - in faith! Now compare his attitude with that of Saul, the first human king of Israel.
Obedience is better than Sacrifice
Unlike Abraham, King Saul did not choose to walk with God. He questioned the orders he received, rather than obeying in faith.
Saul was instructed by the prophet Samuel: "And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal and behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do" (I Sam 10:8)
The order Was clear. It needed no explanation. But Saul had neither Abraham's obedient attitude nor Noah's patience; He allowed his vanity to lead him into disobedience. He asked why Samuel -and not he, the king - should perform the burnt offerings. What difference would that really make? And why should the wailing period be seven days? What if Samuel were delayed? There was no obvious, reason for him to follow the order exactly.
Actually, Samuel was delayed. For some reason, he did not show up at the appointed time. King Saul needed no better- excuse to disobey. Since the prophet didn't come at the appointed time - and since "the people were scattered from him" - he took things in his own hands and offered the burnt offerings.
However, no sooner had he undertaken the task than Samuel arrived. "Thou hast done foolishly," he told the king. "Thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel forever" (I Sam. 13:13). Saul failed to pass the test; his heart was not right and God rejected him.
Saul's character was also tested when God ordered him to "go and smite Amajek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass" (I Sam. 15:3).
Once again, Saul and his people had something to say. Why did God want to smite every single Amalekite and utterly destroy their belongings? Was that kind? Why not spare, the children and women? What wrong had they done? Moreover, why take vengeance on the oxen, sheep, camels and asses?
To King Saul's carnal mind none of this made sense. Any responsible human being could simply, not obey such an order - even if it came from God. Consequently, "Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly" (verse"9).
Strange isn't it? King Saul and his people thought they knew better than God. This reasoning prevented them from obeying Him.
And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice; and to hearken than the fat of rams" (verse 22).
What a lesson for all of us to learn. And what a pity, that some of God's people have forgotten it. Partial obedience is not sufficient, with God, it's all or nothing.
How not to be healed
Naaman, a commander of the Syrian army, was a leper and sought to be healed. "So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean (II Kings 5:9-10).
Naaman's healing from leprosy required only that he wash himself seven times in the Jordan. But Naaman didn't like that. He disagreed with the procedure. Why the Jordan, he asked himself, instead of some other river. And why seven times? Wouldn't once be enough? He had totally different ideas as to how his healing should take place. He wouldn't accept the prophet's order. So "Naaman was wroth, and went away and said, Behold, I thought, He [Elisha] will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper (verse 11).
Fortunately, some of Naaman's soldiers had more sense than he and convinced him of his, foolishness. And his servants came near, and spake unto him and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee to do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? How much rather then, when he saith to thee, wash and be clean? (verse 13).
So Naaman went down and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, "according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean'' (verse 14).
If Naaman had had to wait until he understood the exact reasoning of God's order, he probably would have never been healed. But there are in God's Church today, some spiritual Naamans. They will only accept an answer if it pleases them. If they disagree, they may decide to turn away, dissatisfied, unhappy - and prone to leaving the Church!
Where Shall We Go
Christ's disciples, before their conversion, also had some doubts about xertain things. They would often question Jesus, expecting some answer that would satisfy their curiosity and carnal minds.
On one occasion, the disciples and several others were totally confused; when Christ revealed to them that He was the bread, which came down from heaven.
Just what did He mean by that statement? Some murmured against Him while others argued with Him.
Patiently, Christ explained: "I am the living bread which came down from heaven if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world" (John 6:51).
That was the breaking point. Not only could they not understand the explanation, but they were outraged. How could they follow a man whose teachings made so little sense? "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him" (verse 66).
Does this remind you of the attitude of anyone you know? Yours perhaps? Would you turn away from God or leave His Church because something is hard to understand?
When Jesus saw that some of His disciples left Him, He turned to the 12 and asked them: "Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life" (verse 6).
This is the basic, clear truth we all need to remember. It you have the same attitude, God will always, be with you and protect you against doubts and fears.
Peter meant exactly what he said during the last Passover, AS Christ was washing His disciples' feet, Peter objected when his own turn came. It was unthinkable that Jesus, the Master, should wash their feet.
But Christ answered: "What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me" (John 13:7-8) Notice that Christ didn't stop to explain the exact spiritual meaning of the foot washing.
And what was Peter's sudden reaction? He said; to Him, Lord not my feet only, but also my hands and my head" (verse 9). Are you beginning to see what God expects of you?
Whether your "whys" are answered or not, the question is, "Are you willing to obey God?".
God's way, not yours
There are some things that we in God's Church do not yet fully understand. We don't always know why God does things the way He does them. But one, thing is sure: He always knows best. Let Him handle it - His way, not yours!
Some in the Church today demand that all their questions be fully anwered before submitting themselves to God and His government. They can't comprehend the Church's simple faith in God's leadership and thus get into bad attitudes.
Just remember: So-called "intellect" is not required for salvation. Curiosity for the sake of pleasing your intellect your human vanity will only draw you away from God and His truth.
God has already clearly revealed everything you need to know and understand for salvation. You don't have to search for the answers to those "whys"- they are already made plain in the Bible. However, for the time being, God has chosen not to reveal certain things - He has chosen not to answer some of your questions - for your own good. Let Him take care of things. Don't lose your salvation by demanding that He explain everything He is doing - God has no such responsibility.
God know best
We have come to God's Church to learn His ways - not to impose ours on Him or on others. We didn't come to His Church to reason with Him, but to surrender to Him - totally and, unconditionally. We have been called to obcy and serve. Servants don't argue with their masters. They simply do what the masters say, Unfortunately some of our friends and brethren have not quite understood this fundamental truth. That's why they are no longer with us.
Individually and collectively we have a job to do. Are you doing your part? Or are you perhaps hindered by your doubts, questions and worries? Obviously, all of us would like to see God's Kingdom come as soon as possible. We may even wonder why the waiting is so long! But God knows best. Let Him do things His way, wait patiently, trust Him, submit your will to His - and you will truly know that "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose" (Rom. 8:28)
Reprinted from the April 1980 Good News article by Dibar Apartian
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Brought to you as a Study Resource by the
Church of God Faithful Flock
Sunday, April 20, 2008
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE PASSOVER AND FESTIVAL OF UNLEAVENED BREAD
CREATION is the proof of the existence of God. Creation identities God.
The Sabbath is a weekly memorial of creation. A weekly reminder of God's power to create. Therefore it identities God to us — keeps us in the true memory and true worship of the true God. No other day but the SEVENTH DAY
OF THE WEEK could have that great significance and MEANING.
It was designed to keep us in the true worship of God.
The purpose of Holy Days
Now in like manner. God gave His Church seven annual Sabbaths. These Holy Days were given to keep God's children in the true memory and worship of God by keeping us constantly in the understanding of God's great plan of redemption. For these annual days picture the different epochs in the plan of redemption. mark the dispensations and picture their meaning.
The whole story of the redemption of man was, in these feast days, to be re-enacted year after year continually. They have vitally important symbolism and meaning.
God purposed to impress the truths these high Sabbaths picture upon the minds of His children through all time, keeping His Church in the true understanding of HIS PLAN.
The Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread
Most churches teach that Christ finished the plan of redemption on the cross. But the very FIRST event in God's great PLAN for man's redemption was the death of Christ on the cross. We find the operation of this great sacrifice beginning in Eden, when God killed a lamb or goat, in order to COVER the nakedness (type of sin) of Adam and Eve with skins.
We find it operating when Abel sacrificed a substitute lamb. And so the passover is the FIRST of these events picturing to God's children year by year His great PLAN.
Let us understand it.
Egypt is a type of sin As God's people Israel are today in "BABYLON," and soon are to be delivered after God pours out His Plagues upon Babylon, so they once were in Egypt and were delivered after the pouring out of the plagues.
And, as Rome has changed times and seasons and days, professing Christians have been deceived and have lost sight of true time and God's DAYS, as well as the true worship of God. So it was with the children of Israel in Egypt.
For years they had been in severe BONDAGE in Egypt forced to work with taskmasters over them. There was no Bible — no written Word of God. They were not permitted to worship God as He had ordained They were forced to work seven days a week. They had lost sight even of the true Sabbath — and that is why God REVEALED to them the Sabbath in the wilderness of Sin (Exodus 16). Just as Rome has changed times and seasons, so had Egypt.
Passover only the start
And so, on delivering His people from Egypt (sin), God straightened them out as to time. And, as the beginning of Our Salvation was wrought by Christ's death on the cross, so God said, "this month [in the spring] shall be unto you the BEGINNING of months . . . "(Exodus 12:2).
Some few keep the BEGINNING of this first Feast of salvation in observing Passover, but never go on to know the "depth of the riches" of God's grace pictured by the following feasts! Christ is not only the author or beginner, but the FINISHER of our salvation!
On the 10th day of this first month the Israelites were instructed to take a lamb without blemish. They kept it until — not after — the 14th day of the same first month. at even, at Dusk as the Jewish translation has it
— between the two evenings, or between sunset and dark, when it was killed.
This was in, not after, the 14th day. They shed the blood of the lamb. picturing Christ's sacrifice to come. They ate the flesh in THAT night. At midnight the death angel came, but PASSED OVER every house where the BLOOD had been sprinkled.
There are some very important details it is vital that we notice at this point. Perhaps we have not seen them before. It proves that the Passover shall be observed the 14th, not the15th.
Passover 14th, not 15th
Notice Exodus 12. verse 6, they shall kill the lamb at disk (Jewish official translation). Verse 8. they shall eat the flesh in that night — still the 14th. Verses 9 to 11 continue to describe how it shall be roasted and eaten — the time is still the same night — the 14th. Verse 12: "For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn" — still same night — 14th.
Now notice carefully the paragraph beginning verse 21. Here are more detailed directions for striking the blood on the door posts — the time this was done, as proved above, was the night part of the 14th. Notice carefully verse 22 " . . . strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the basin; and NONE
OF YOU SHALL GO OUT AT THE DOOR OF HIS HOUSE until The MORNING."
Notice that carefully! none were permitted to leave their houses that night. They remained in their houses until morning! They remained there all night!
Now read on. Verse 29, at midnight(the 14th) the Lord smote the firstborn of Egypt. Verse 30. Pharaoh rose up in the night. This was, of course, after the death angel passed at midnight, and therefore, after midnight.
He called for Moses and Aaron. This must have taken some time, but still the same night. Verse 33, the Egyptian people were urgent to get rid of the Israelites. Verse 35, the Israelites borrowed of the Egyptians silver and gold and clothing and spoiled the Egyptians. When? Surely this borrowing and spoiling of the Egyptians look several hours. The Israelites were forbidden to LEAVE THEIR HOUSES UNTIL MORNING —SO this spoiling and borrowing took place through the daytime of the 14th day.
Exodus 24 hours after Passover
But — notice this highly important point — the Israelites did not go out from the land of Egypt UNTIL that night — the 15th Nisan! Notice the paragraph composed of verses 41-42: "... Even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord WENT out from the land of Egypt It is a night to be much observed unto the Lord for bringing them out of the land of Egypt: this is THE night of the lord to be observed ..." Which is the night to be observed? The night they came out of Egypt. They went out of Egypt, not during the daytime the 14th, but after that day had ENDED — after the sun had set — the following night — on the 15th Abib! And that night, the 15th, is to be observed!
The following verses, beginning verse 43, form a new paragraph and refer again to Passover - the 14th day.
Now, notice Deuteronomy 16:1. "Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the Eternal thy God: for in the month of Abib the Lord thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt in night." Notice it. they did not go out of Egypt until NIGHT. And this night was the 15th, not the 14th. further proof?
Notice now Numbers 33:3. "And they departed from Rameses in the first month, on the FIFTEENTH DAY OF THE FIRST MONTH: on the MORROW AFTER the PASSOVER the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians '
There it is, in plain language.
Now some believe that they killed the lamb between noon and sunset the 14th — about 3 p.m.. near the END of the day — ate it that night. the 15th (claiming that is when the Passover was eaten, and when we should take it today) and then went on out of Egypt THAT SAME NIGHT. But this theory will not hold water, in view of all these scriptures, and following through Exodus 12.
The Israelites were not permitted to leave their houses that night after eating the lamb. They remained in their own houses — up in the land of Goshen — until daylight. Then they went to their Egyptian neighbors, and borrowed from them and spoiled them. There were millions of them. It took TIME to notify them It took TIME to do all this. It could not have been done after midnight, when Pharaoh rose up. and still have gotten out of Egypt the same night. The Israelites were in their houses in Goshen ALL THAT NIGHT. Exodus 12:10 further proves this. Whatever remained of their roasted lamb uneaten until morning they were to burn with fire. That shows they, stayed in their homes UNTIL morning.
They did not leave Egypt until after that day ended - after night fall again, during the NIGHT part of the 15th.
In, not after, 14th!
Now to connect one other vital point, turn to Numbers 28:16-17. "... in the fourteenth day [not after it] .. . is the PASSOVER of the Lord. And in the FIFTEENTH day [not BEFORE it] of this month is the feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten." Leviticus 23:5-6 says the same thing. Notice the passover is not the 15th. but in the 14th. In it is not after it is past. And notice too. the feast mentioned here is not the 14th (though the Passover is elsewhere called a feast), but the feast day is the 15th. The SEVEN-DAY period begins the 15th. The 15th is the first of the seven Days of Unleavened Bread.
However, since leaven was put out of the houses during the 14th day, it came to be called one of the Days of Unleavened Bread by New Testament times, but when this is done EIGHT DAYS are included as Days of Unleavened Bread. The entire EIGHT-DAY period is, in New Testament usage, called by the name PASSOVER . But the SEVEN-DAY period begins the 15th, after the 14th, or Passover. has ended.
The 14th day is the Passover. It is the first of God's festivals. It is not the feast day mentioned here. In the 15th day is the feast. Let us get that distinction clear!) in mind. It is the 15th that is the FEAST — the 14th is the PASSOVER. This feast day begins after PASSOVER has ended.
Now with these facts well in mind. let us turn back to Exodus 12, Notice beginning verse 14. "And this DAY shall be unto you for a memorial: and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations: ye shall keep it a FEAST by ordinance FOREVER. Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread . . And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation ... to you."
What day is established memorial — not a shadow, a memorial, a FEAST- to be kept FOREVER? Notice, it is the day that is the feast "Ye shall keep it a feast." It is the day that is the FEAST day the 15th Abib. not the 14th not the Passover!
This day is the FEAST day. — a MEMORIAL, to be kept a Sabbath or holy convocation, forever! Seven days are included, and we have shown that the seven-day period begins the 15th. after Passover has passed. "In the fourteenth is the PASSOVER, but IN THE FIFTEENTH DAY is the feast - seven days."
Many have always believed the day here spoken of and ordained forever. was the PASSOVER, or 14th. But it is not — it is the 15th day.
Now this day, the 15th, is established a HOLY CONVOCATION. Look in the dictionary. A convocation is an assembly of the people where their presence is commanded. under power and authority. A holy convocation is a religious assembly, for purposes of worship. The weekly Sabbath is a holy convocation. So is Abib 15th. Our presence is commanded. under God's power and authority. But let us continue on.
Notice, now, beginning verse 16: "And in the first day [of the seven. 15th Abib] there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day [21st Abib] there shall be an holy convocation to you . . . And ye shall observe the FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD; for in THIS SELFSAME day [the 15th Abib] have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day [the 15th. not the I4th| in your generations by an ordinance FOR EVER" (verses 16-17).
There it is! Before the ceremonial law of Moses! The day established as a Sabbath or holy convocation forever is the Feast day, the selfsame day on which they went OUT of Egypt. and they went out on the 15th. not the 14th (Numbers 33:3).
This day is a MEMORIAL,. not a shadow of the cross. A memorial of DELIVERANCE from EGYPT, which pictures deliverance from sin.
To keep us constantly in the memory of the great fact that, having had our sins FORGIVEN by Christ's blood (pictured by the 14th) we are not to stop there and REMAIN in sin. but to go OUT away from sin! Why should we observe the 14th, picturing remission of past sins, and then we, COMMANDMENT-KEEPERS of All people, refuse to continue the Feast of Unleavened Bread, picturing the COMING out of sin - seven days of unleavened bread symbolizing and picturing complete putting away of sin or, in other words, THE KEEPING OF THE COMMANDMENTS.
These FEAST DAYS picture the KEEPING OF THE COMMANDMENTS!
Not abolished with old covenant
Observe that the Days of Unleavened Bread are a PERIOD, having two high-day SABBATHS. And this PERIOD is established FOREVER — while the Israelites were still in Egypt before the ceremonial law of Moses had been given or written — before God even proposed the old covenant! What the law of Moses, or the old covenant, did not bring or institute. they cannot take away! In Benton's translation, the 16th verse is translated: "consequently keep this period as an everlasting INSTITUTION. "The whole period is included.
This ALONE ought to prove that the HOLY DAYS — and the seven Days of Unleavened Bread are binding today and FOREVER!
Now. if these texts apply to the 15th, not the 14th, as they assuredly do, and is here conclusively proved, then is the Passover established Forever? Indeed it is! But these texts above refer to the FEAST and not the PASSOVER. In the paragraph beginning Exodus 12:21 the passover is again referred to and verse 24 establishes it FOREVER!
Purpose of Festival
But let us learn the full significance of this. Why did God ordain these feast days? What was His great PURPOSE; Turn now to Exodus 13, verse 3: "... Moses said unto the people. Remember this day, in which ye CAME OUT from Egypt . . . " This was the 15th of Abib. Verse 6: "Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and the seventh day shall be a least unto the Eternal . . . This is done Because of that which the
Eternal did [a MEMORIAL] . . . and it shall be for a sign" — (miraculous proof of identity) — "unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes" — why? —"that the Lord's law may BE in thy mouth . . . Thou shall therefore KEEP this ordinance
Oh, beloved brethren, do you see the wonderful meaning? Do you grasp the true significance of it all? Do you see God's purpose? The passover pictures the death of Christ for the remission of sins that are past. The accepting of His blood does not forgive sins we shall commit — it does not give LICENSE to continue in sin - therefore when we accept it, our sins are forgiven only up to that time, past sins.
But shall we stop there'? Past sins forgiven. But we are still flesh beings. We still shall suffer temptations. Sin has held us in its clutch — we have been slaves to sin, in its power. And we are powerless to deliver ourselves from it! We have been in bondage to sin. Let us understand the picture — the meaning.
Quitting sin utterly
To what extent shall we put away sin? Not partially, but completely! And. as leaven is also a type of sin — leaven puffs up, and so does sin — and, as seven is God's number symbolizing completeness, we are to follow the Passover with the seven Days of Unleavened Bread! The picture — the meaning — the symbolism, is not complete with Passover alone. Passover pictures the acceptance of Christ's blood for the remission of past sins. It pictures the CRUCIFIED — the dead — Christ.
Shall we leave Christ hanging on the cross? The seven Days of UNLEAVENED BREAD, following Passover, picture to us the complete putting away of sin. the KEEPING of the Commandments — after past sins are forgiven. They picture the life and work of the RISEN Christ — who ascended to the throne of God where He is actively at work in our behalf as our high priest, cleansing us of sin — delivering us completely from its power!
To observe Passover alone, and then fail to observe the seven Days of Unleavened Bread, means, in the symbolism, to accept Christ's blood, and to continue on in sin — to say with the Sunday churches, the LAW is done away, we are under grace, meaning license, to continue in sin!
The seven Days of Unleavened Bread picture the keeping of the Commandments, which is another way of saying the putting away of sin.
And, as Rome's followers have the mark of the BEAST in their right hand and forehead, so God's true Church is to have these feast days, the first of which is a memorial picturing deliverance from sin, in our right hand and forehead, as God's sign, in order that we shall keep his commandments. And since the forehead is the seat of the intellect and symbolizes acceptance, and the right hand symbolizes work, we have this sign of god there by accepting this truth about the Holy Days and Days of Unleavened Bread, and by not working on these Holy Days! Not only is the weekly Sabbath God's sign (Exodus 31:12-17) but annual Sabbaths are signs as well!
One incident
Just a personal reference showing how marvelously this ordinance pictures the plan Of REDEMPTION. It happened years ago at Eugene, Ore. As we assembled in holy convocation the last of these Sabbaths, 21st Abib, one sister mentioned she had found a half slice of leavened bread behind some things in her home, during the Days of Unleavened Bread.
She had put it out of the house immediately. Another said she had found a can of baking powder half full, which she did not know she had. Another found a slice of bread and some yeast. All had put the leaven out as soon as discovered.
How true to life is the picture! How often do we. after we think we have put away sin, discover hidden sins or habits we did not know we had — or thought we had overcome?
They must be put away and overcome as soon as discovered.
The perfect picture
But let us notice the wonderful picture further. The children of Israel started out of Egypt, the night of the 15th Abib, as we must, of our own accord, start out of sin as soon as we accept the blood of Christ. They started out on their own power and we must make the start of ourselves.
But they did not get far until Pharaoh pursued after them. If Egypt is a type of sin, then surely Pharaoh must picture Satan, the army of Egypt, Satan's demons.
While Israel was in Egypt they were Pharaoh's slaves, helpless and powerless under his taskmasters just as the sinner is in the power of the devil. But when Israel took the blood of the Lamb when God acted, and as a result of God's act of the plague of the firstborn, Pharaoh released Israel. When we accept Christ's blood, God acts, and the devil must release us.
And, as the Israelites went out with a HIGH hand ( Numbers 33:3), probably in great exultation and elation over their deliverance from bondage, so does the newborn Christian start out his Christian life up in the clouds of happiness and joy. But what happened?
Exodus 14:5 Pharaoh immediately began to pursue after them with soldiers in 600 chariots. So the devil immediately pursues after the newborn child of God with his demons and soon the new and inexperienced Christian finds he is down in the depths of discouragement and tempted to give up and quit.
Notice, beginning verse 10 — as soon as the Israelites saw this great army pursuing them. they lost their courage. Fear came over them. They began to grumble and complain. They saw it was IMPOSSIBLE for them to get away from Pharaoh and his army, because be was too powerful for them. And they were helpless. So it is with us.
Our strength not sufficient!
But notice the message of God to them through Moses: "... Fear ye not, stand still, and see the SAlVATION OF THE ETERNAL ... for the Egyptians . . . ye shall see them again no more for ever. The ETERNAL SHALL FIGHT FOR YOU! ..."
How wonderful!
Helpless, we are told to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. He shall fight for us. We cannot conquer Satan, but He can. It is the risen Christ — our High Priest — who will cleanse us, sanctify us, deliver us, who said He would never leave us or forsake us! We cannot keep the Commandments in our own power and strength. But Christ in us can keep them! We must rely on Him, in faith.
Notice verse 19. The angel who had gone before, showing the Israelites the way, now went behind them, getting between them and their enemy. protecting them. And then God parted the waters of the Red Sea. "... and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left" (verse 23). In Isaiah 55:1 and John 7:37-39, the waters are a symbol of the HOLY spirit.
The LIVING WATERS of God are a wall to us, on our right hand and on our left, guiding us in the true path, making the path, protecting us in it. But when Pharaoh and his army attempted to follow Israel in this divinely created path, these same waters completely COVERED them as the Holy Spirit removes and covers our sins, and the Israelites saw THEM NO MORE! What a wonderful picture!
No sacrifices originally
Thus we see, the feast of Unleavened Bread as well as the Passover, was ordained and established FOREVER, prior to the ceremonial law of Moses prior to the old covenant. Let us be consistent about this. Opponents tell us these are in the law of Moses. We reply, they existed before the law of Moses, are carried
over in the New Testament, and therefore are binding today.
Notice especially, that originally there were no sacrifices - no meat and drink ordinances - held on these days. See Jeremiah 7:22-23. These days were not instituted for the purpose of the sacrifices as some have wrongly supposed. These Holy Days are not shadows — they are MEMORIALS, and twice called such. Where do we find such plain language calling the Sabbath a memorial? (See also Leviticus 23:24.)
The Sabbath, too, existed BEFORE the law of Moses — was made HOLY unto the lord before the Mosaic law was given.
When the law of Moses came, with its sacrificial ordinances, its meat and drink ordinances, then these
SACRIFICES AND MEAT AND DRINK OFFERINGS WERE INSTITUTED, TEMPORARILY
— until Christ — to be held, some daily, some on the WEEKLY SABBATH. AND SOME ON THE FIRST OF EACH MONTH AND SOME ON EACH OF THE ANNUAL HOLY DAYS.
But. mark well this fact! Where we find these sacrifices and meat and drink offerings instituted on the Holy Days we find them also on the weekly Sabbath. The same chapters in the law of Moses adding them to the annual days also add them to the WEEKLY DAYS.
The argument that these sacrifices held on these days does away with the days applies equally to the Sabbath! If this argument abolishes one, it abolishes also the other. The Sunday preachers argue that these sacrifices do away with the Sabbath. We deny it — why? The Sabbath existed BEFORE these sacrifices were added. The same is true of the HOLY days! They began, too, before the ritualistic law of Moses! This is so plain that none will deny it except those whose hearts are rebellious against Almighty God and His TRUTH!
Sacrifices on weekly Sabbath
Let us notice. Numbers 28 and 29:
First, the offerings by fire DAY by day. the "morning-evening" sacrifice. Second, verses 9-10, burnt meat offerings and drink offerings every sabbath. Third, verses 11-15, new MOONS. Then, verse 16 to end of chapter 28, the annual days.
Now we know these MEAT and drink offerings, by fire, were typical and were DONE away. But are the seven week days DONE away? Is the weekly sabbath done away? Is the first day of each month DONE away? Only in BABYLON — not in God"s sight. Neither are the annual HOLYDAYS of the Lord done away!
The sacrifices were typical, and they came with the law of Moses, and they went with it. But the DAYS on which they were held were not typical, did not come with the law of Moses and did not go with it.
The days are binding FOREVER! As the Sabbath is a memorial, so are the Holy Days!
Commanded in New Testament
And now we wish to show a new testament command — more plain, more direct, than any we can find for the weekly Sabbath to keep these annual HOLY days!
Observe again Numbers 28:16-17: "... in the fourteenth day of the first month is the Passover of the Lord. And in the fifteenth day of this month is the feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten."
This feast was not the 14th, but the 15th. It was the PASSOVER, when the lamb was killed, the 14th. The daylight part of the 14th was the preparation for the feast. (Matthew 27:62: Mark 15:42: Luke 23:54: John 19:14.) (note, in Jesus' day the Jews celebrated their Passover one day late according to the tradition of the elders John 18:28.)
Let us get this point thoroughly established in our minds, for if this is true, as it is, then all of these
DAYS ARE STILL BINDING UPON US BY NEW TESTAMENT as well as Old Testament authority!
Notice Matthew 26:5: The Jews, conspiring to kill Jesus, said: "... Not on the feast day. lest there be an uproar among the people." They hastened so they could take and kill Him the day before the feast, or on the 14th Nisan.
Mark 14:2 says the same thing. Now to establish that the Feast day was the day after the Passover Festival, and that it was the high-day Sabbath — the day after Jesus was crucified, notice John 13:29: "For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag — was treasurer - Fenton, that Jesus had said unto him. Buy those things that we have need of against the Feast ..." This was at the Passover supper. They thought Jesus was sending Judas out to buy provisions to prepare for the feast. Surely this proved the feast was the following day — the 15th Nisan, as all these scriptures positively affirm.
Now let us examine carefully I Corinthians 5:7-8. Churches have applied this to the PASSOVER. notice it does not say, or apply to, PASSOVER at all. Let us willingly, prayerfully, study to see what it does say:
"... For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast ..." Notice it. Because Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed, therefore let us of the new Testament dispensation — because Christ has died — keep, what? Notice it! not the Passover, which was on the 14th Nisan — but let us keep the feast — which was the 15th! The high-day Sabbath of John 19:31! The annual holy day. And, in a large sense, the feast included all seven of the Days of Unleavened Bread including the SECOND Holy Day or Sabbath on the 21st Nisan! We cannot escape this, if we are yielded to the Lord and the Word of God! There it is, in plain language. in the New Testament! Because Christ was crucified, therefore let us keep the feast! The 14th was the Passover, but in the 15th day of this month is the feast! Let us no longer apply that to the Passover, for it says "feast."
Days of Unleavened Bread kept by Paul and New Testament Church
It is faithfully recorded in the New Testament that, during the period its history covers, the Church was keeping those days!
In Acts 20:6, "... we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread ..." Paul and companions plainly had observed the Days of Unleavened Bread at Philippi. The Holy Spirit could never have inspired such words otherwise.
Notice also Acts 12:3-4: "... Then were the days of unleavened bread . . . intending after Passover [sec Greek] to bring him forth to the people." Could the Holy Spirit have inspired the direct affirmation, "Then were the days of unleavened bread" if those days had, in God's sight, ceased to exist?
Notice, it is not any blinded Judaizers. ignorant of what was abolished, making this statement it is Almighty God saying it through inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This was years after the crucifixion. The Days of Unleavened Bread still existed, or the Holy Spirit could not have inspired "Then were the days of unleavened bread "
By Herbert W Armstrong The GOOD NEWS March 1979
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Brought to you as a Study Resource by the
Church of God Faithful Flock
The Sabbath is a weekly memorial of creation. A weekly reminder of God's power to create. Therefore it identities God to us — keeps us in the true memory and true worship of the true God. No other day but the SEVENTH DAY
OF THE WEEK could have that great significance and MEANING.
It was designed to keep us in the true worship of God.
The purpose of Holy Days
Now in like manner. God gave His Church seven annual Sabbaths. These Holy Days were given to keep God's children in the true memory and worship of God by keeping us constantly in the understanding of God's great plan of redemption. For these annual days picture the different epochs in the plan of redemption. mark the dispensations and picture their meaning.
The whole story of the redemption of man was, in these feast days, to be re-enacted year after year continually. They have vitally important symbolism and meaning.
God purposed to impress the truths these high Sabbaths picture upon the minds of His children through all time, keeping His Church in the true understanding of HIS PLAN.
The Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread
Most churches teach that Christ finished the plan of redemption on the cross. But the very FIRST event in God's great PLAN for man's redemption was the death of Christ on the cross. We find the operation of this great sacrifice beginning in Eden, when God killed a lamb or goat, in order to COVER the nakedness (type of sin) of Adam and Eve with skins.
We find it operating when Abel sacrificed a substitute lamb. And so the passover is the FIRST of these events picturing to God's children year by year His great PLAN.
Let us understand it.
Egypt is a type of sin As God's people Israel are today in "BABYLON," and soon are to be delivered after God pours out His Plagues upon Babylon, so they once were in Egypt and were delivered after the pouring out of the plagues.
And, as Rome has changed times and seasons and days, professing Christians have been deceived and have lost sight of true time and God's DAYS, as well as the true worship of God. So it was with the children of Israel in Egypt.
For years they had been in severe BONDAGE in Egypt forced to work with taskmasters over them. There was no Bible — no written Word of God. They were not permitted to worship God as He had ordained They were forced to work seven days a week. They had lost sight even of the true Sabbath — and that is why God REVEALED to them the Sabbath in the wilderness of Sin (Exodus 16). Just as Rome has changed times and seasons, so had Egypt.
Passover only the start
And so, on delivering His people from Egypt (sin), God straightened them out as to time. And, as the beginning of Our Salvation was wrought by Christ's death on the cross, so God said, "this month [in the spring] shall be unto you the BEGINNING of months . . . "(Exodus 12:2).
Some few keep the BEGINNING of this first Feast of salvation in observing Passover, but never go on to know the "depth of the riches" of God's grace pictured by the following feasts! Christ is not only the author or beginner, but the FINISHER of our salvation!
On the 10th day of this first month the Israelites were instructed to take a lamb without blemish. They kept it until — not after — the 14th day of the same first month. at even, at Dusk as the Jewish translation has it
— between the two evenings, or between sunset and dark, when it was killed.
This was in, not after, the 14th day. They shed the blood of the lamb. picturing Christ's sacrifice to come. They ate the flesh in THAT night. At midnight the death angel came, but PASSED OVER every house where the BLOOD had been sprinkled.
There are some very important details it is vital that we notice at this point. Perhaps we have not seen them before. It proves that the Passover shall be observed the 14th, not the15th.
Passover 14th, not 15th
Notice Exodus 12. verse 6, they shall kill the lamb at disk (Jewish official translation). Verse 8. they shall eat the flesh in that night — still the 14th. Verses 9 to 11 continue to describe how it shall be roasted and eaten — the time is still the same night — the 14th. Verse 12: "For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn" — still same night — 14th.
Now notice carefully the paragraph beginning verse 21. Here are more detailed directions for striking the blood on the door posts — the time this was done, as proved above, was the night part of the 14th. Notice carefully verse 22 " . . . strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the basin; and NONE
OF YOU SHALL GO OUT AT THE DOOR OF HIS HOUSE until The MORNING."
Notice that carefully! none were permitted to leave their houses that night. They remained in their houses until morning! They remained there all night!
Now read on. Verse 29, at midnight(the 14th) the Lord smote the firstborn of Egypt. Verse 30. Pharaoh rose up in the night. This was, of course, after the death angel passed at midnight, and therefore, after midnight.
He called for Moses and Aaron. This must have taken some time, but still the same night. Verse 33, the Egyptian people were urgent to get rid of the Israelites. Verse 35, the Israelites borrowed of the Egyptians silver and gold and clothing and spoiled the Egyptians. When? Surely this borrowing and spoiling of the Egyptians look several hours. The Israelites were forbidden to LEAVE THEIR HOUSES UNTIL MORNING —SO this spoiling and borrowing took place through the daytime of the 14th day.
Exodus 24 hours after Passover
But — notice this highly important point — the Israelites did not go out from the land of Egypt UNTIL that night — the 15th Nisan! Notice the paragraph composed of verses 41-42: "... Even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord WENT out from the land of Egypt It is a night to be much observed unto the Lord for bringing them out of the land of Egypt: this is THE night of the lord to be observed ..." Which is the night to be observed? The night they came out of Egypt. They went out of Egypt, not during the daytime the 14th, but after that day had ENDED — after the sun had set — the following night — on the 15th Abib! And that night, the 15th, is to be observed!
The following verses, beginning verse 43, form a new paragraph and refer again to Passover - the 14th day.
Now, notice Deuteronomy 16:1. "Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the Eternal thy God: for in the month of Abib the Lord thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt in night." Notice it. they did not go out of Egypt until NIGHT. And this night was the 15th, not the 14th. further proof?
Notice now Numbers 33:3. "And they departed from Rameses in the first month, on the FIFTEENTH DAY OF THE FIRST MONTH: on the MORROW AFTER the PASSOVER the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians '
There it is, in plain language.
Now some believe that they killed the lamb between noon and sunset the 14th — about 3 p.m.. near the END of the day — ate it that night. the 15th (claiming that is when the Passover was eaten, and when we should take it today) and then went on out of Egypt THAT SAME NIGHT. But this theory will not hold water, in view of all these scriptures, and following through Exodus 12.
The Israelites were not permitted to leave their houses that night after eating the lamb. They remained in their own houses — up in the land of Goshen — until daylight. Then they went to their Egyptian neighbors, and borrowed from them and spoiled them. There were millions of them. It took TIME to notify them It took TIME to do all this. It could not have been done after midnight, when Pharaoh rose up. and still have gotten out of Egypt the same night. The Israelites were in their houses in Goshen ALL THAT NIGHT. Exodus 12:10 further proves this. Whatever remained of their roasted lamb uneaten until morning they were to burn with fire. That shows they, stayed in their homes UNTIL morning.
They did not leave Egypt until after that day ended - after night fall again, during the NIGHT part of the 15th.
In, not after, 14th!
Now to connect one other vital point, turn to Numbers 28:16-17. "... in the fourteenth day [not after it] .. . is the PASSOVER of the Lord. And in the FIFTEENTH day [not BEFORE it] of this month is the feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten." Leviticus 23:5-6 says the same thing. Notice the passover is not the 15th. but in the 14th. In it is not after it is past. And notice too. the feast mentioned here is not the 14th (though the Passover is elsewhere called a feast), but the feast day is the 15th. The SEVEN-DAY period begins the 15th. The 15th is the first of the seven Days of Unleavened Bread.
However, since leaven was put out of the houses during the 14th day, it came to be called one of the Days of Unleavened Bread by New Testament times, but when this is done EIGHT DAYS are included as Days of Unleavened Bread. The entire EIGHT-DAY period is, in New Testament usage, called by the name PASSOVER . But the SEVEN-DAY period begins the 15th, after the 14th, or Passover. has ended.
The 14th day is the Passover. It is the first of God's festivals. It is not the feast day mentioned here. In the 15th day is the feast. Let us get that distinction clear!) in mind. It is the 15th that is the FEAST — the 14th is the PASSOVER. This feast day begins after PASSOVER has ended.
Now with these facts well in mind. let us turn back to Exodus 12, Notice beginning verse 14. "And this DAY shall be unto you for a memorial: and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations: ye shall keep it a FEAST by ordinance FOREVER. Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread . . And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation ... to you."
What day is established memorial — not a shadow, a memorial, a FEAST- to be kept FOREVER? Notice, it is the day that is the feast "Ye shall keep it a feast." It is the day that is the FEAST day the 15th Abib. not the 14th not the Passover!
This day is the FEAST day. — a MEMORIAL, to be kept a Sabbath or holy convocation, forever! Seven days are included, and we have shown that the seven-day period begins the 15th. after Passover has passed. "In the fourteenth is the PASSOVER, but IN THE FIFTEENTH DAY is the feast - seven days."
Many have always believed the day here spoken of and ordained forever. was the PASSOVER, or 14th. But it is not — it is the 15th day.
Now this day, the 15th, is established a HOLY CONVOCATION. Look in the dictionary. A convocation is an assembly of the people where their presence is commanded. under power and authority. A holy convocation is a religious assembly, for purposes of worship. The weekly Sabbath is a holy convocation. So is Abib 15th. Our presence is commanded. under God's power and authority. But let us continue on.
Notice, now, beginning verse 16: "And in the first day [of the seven. 15th Abib] there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day [21st Abib] there shall be an holy convocation to you . . . And ye shall observe the FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD; for in THIS SELFSAME day [the 15th Abib] have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day [the 15th. not the I4th| in your generations by an ordinance FOR EVER" (verses 16-17).
There it is! Before the ceremonial law of Moses! The day established as a Sabbath or holy convocation forever is the Feast day, the selfsame day on which they went OUT of Egypt. and they went out on the 15th. not the 14th (Numbers 33:3).
This day is a MEMORIAL,. not a shadow of the cross. A memorial of DELIVERANCE from EGYPT, which pictures deliverance from sin.
To keep us constantly in the memory of the great fact that, having had our sins FORGIVEN by Christ's blood (pictured by the 14th) we are not to stop there and REMAIN in sin. but to go OUT away from sin! Why should we observe the 14th, picturing remission of past sins, and then we, COMMANDMENT-KEEPERS of All people, refuse to continue the Feast of Unleavened Bread, picturing the COMING out of sin - seven days of unleavened bread symbolizing and picturing complete putting away of sin or, in other words, THE KEEPING OF THE COMMANDMENTS.
These FEAST DAYS picture the KEEPING OF THE COMMANDMENTS!
Not abolished with old covenant
Observe that the Days of Unleavened Bread are a PERIOD, having two high-day SABBATHS. And this PERIOD is established FOREVER — while the Israelites were still in Egypt before the ceremonial law of Moses had been given or written — before God even proposed the old covenant! What the law of Moses, or the old covenant, did not bring or institute. they cannot take away! In Benton's translation, the 16th verse is translated: "consequently keep this period as an everlasting INSTITUTION. "The whole period is included.
This ALONE ought to prove that the HOLY DAYS — and the seven Days of Unleavened Bread are binding today and FOREVER!
Now. if these texts apply to the 15th, not the 14th, as they assuredly do, and is here conclusively proved, then is the Passover established Forever? Indeed it is! But these texts above refer to the FEAST and not the PASSOVER. In the paragraph beginning Exodus 12:21 the passover is again referred to and verse 24 establishes it FOREVER!
Purpose of Festival
But let us learn the full significance of this. Why did God ordain these feast days? What was His great PURPOSE; Turn now to Exodus 13, verse 3: "... Moses said unto the people. Remember this day, in which ye CAME OUT from Egypt . . . " This was the 15th of Abib. Verse 6: "Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and the seventh day shall be a least unto the Eternal . . . This is done Because of that which the
Eternal did [a MEMORIAL] . . . and it shall be for a sign" — (miraculous proof of identity) — "unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes" — why? —"that the Lord's law may BE in thy mouth . . . Thou shall therefore KEEP this ordinance
Oh, beloved brethren, do you see the wonderful meaning? Do you grasp the true significance of it all? Do you see God's purpose? The passover pictures the death of Christ for the remission of sins that are past. The accepting of His blood does not forgive sins we shall commit — it does not give LICENSE to continue in sin - therefore when we accept it, our sins are forgiven only up to that time, past sins.
But shall we stop there'? Past sins forgiven. But we are still flesh beings. We still shall suffer temptations. Sin has held us in its clutch — we have been slaves to sin, in its power. And we are powerless to deliver ourselves from it! We have been in bondage to sin. Let us understand the picture — the meaning.
Quitting sin utterly
To what extent shall we put away sin? Not partially, but completely! And. as leaven is also a type of sin — leaven puffs up, and so does sin — and, as seven is God's number symbolizing completeness, we are to follow the Passover with the seven Days of Unleavened Bread! The picture — the meaning — the symbolism, is not complete with Passover alone. Passover pictures the acceptance of Christ's blood for the remission of past sins. It pictures the CRUCIFIED — the dead — Christ.
Shall we leave Christ hanging on the cross? The seven Days of UNLEAVENED BREAD, following Passover, picture to us the complete putting away of sin. the KEEPING of the Commandments — after past sins are forgiven. They picture the life and work of the RISEN Christ — who ascended to the throne of God where He is actively at work in our behalf as our high priest, cleansing us of sin — delivering us completely from its power!
To observe Passover alone, and then fail to observe the seven Days of Unleavened Bread, means, in the symbolism, to accept Christ's blood, and to continue on in sin — to say with the Sunday churches, the LAW is done away, we are under grace, meaning license, to continue in sin!
The seven Days of Unleavened Bread picture the keeping of the Commandments, which is another way of saying the putting away of sin.
And, as Rome's followers have the mark of the BEAST in their right hand and forehead, so God's true Church is to have these feast days, the first of which is a memorial picturing deliverance from sin, in our right hand and forehead, as God's sign, in order that we shall keep his commandments. And since the forehead is the seat of the intellect and symbolizes acceptance, and the right hand symbolizes work, we have this sign of god there by accepting this truth about the Holy Days and Days of Unleavened Bread, and by not working on these Holy Days! Not only is the weekly Sabbath God's sign (Exodus 31:12-17) but annual Sabbaths are signs as well!
One incident
Just a personal reference showing how marvelously this ordinance pictures the plan Of REDEMPTION. It happened years ago at Eugene, Ore. As we assembled in holy convocation the last of these Sabbaths, 21st Abib, one sister mentioned she had found a half slice of leavened bread behind some things in her home, during the Days of Unleavened Bread.
She had put it out of the house immediately. Another said she had found a can of baking powder half full, which she did not know she had. Another found a slice of bread and some yeast. All had put the leaven out as soon as discovered.
How true to life is the picture! How often do we. after we think we have put away sin, discover hidden sins or habits we did not know we had — or thought we had overcome?
They must be put away and overcome as soon as discovered.
The perfect picture
But let us notice the wonderful picture further. The children of Israel started out of Egypt, the night of the 15th Abib, as we must, of our own accord, start out of sin as soon as we accept the blood of Christ. They started out on their own power and we must make the start of ourselves.
But they did not get far until Pharaoh pursued after them. If Egypt is a type of sin, then surely Pharaoh must picture Satan, the army of Egypt, Satan's demons.
While Israel was in Egypt they were Pharaoh's slaves, helpless and powerless under his taskmasters just as the sinner is in the power of the devil. But when Israel took the blood of the Lamb when God acted, and as a result of God's act of the plague of the firstborn, Pharaoh released Israel. When we accept Christ's blood, God acts, and the devil must release us.
And, as the Israelites went out with a HIGH hand ( Numbers 33:3), probably in great exultation and elation over their deliverance from bondage, so does the newborn Christian start out his Christian life up in the clouds of happiness and joy. But what happened?
Exodus 14:5 Pharaoh immediately began to pursue after them with soldiers in 600 chariots. So the devil immediately pursues after the newborn child of God with his demons and soon the new and inexperienced Christian finds he is down in the depths of discouragement and tempted to give up and quit.
Notice, beginning verse 10 — as soon as the Israelites saw this great army pursuing them. they lost their courage. Fear came over them. They began to grumble and complain. They saw it was IMPOSSIBLE for them to get away from Pharaoh and his army, because be was too powerful for them. And they were helpless. So it is with us.
Our strength not sufficient!
But notice the message of God to them through Moses: "... Fear ye not, stand still, and see the SAlVATION OF THE ETERNAL ... for the Egyptians . . . ye shall see them again no more for ever. The ETERNAL SHALL FIGHT FOR YOU! ..."
How wonderful!
Helpless, we are told to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. He shall fight for us. We cannot conquer Satan, but He can. It is the risen Christ — our High Priest — who will cleanse us, sanctify us, deliver us, who said He would never leave us or forsake us! We cannot keep the Commandments in our own power and strength. But Christ in us can keep them! We must rely on Him, in faith.
Notice verse 19. The angel who had gone before, showing the Israelites the way, now went behind them, getting between them and their enemy. protecting them. And then God parted the waters of the Red Sea. "... and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left" (verse 23). In Isaiah 55:1 and John 7:37-39, the waters are a symbol of the HOLY spirit.
The LIVING WATERS of God are a wall to us, on our right hand and on our left, guiding us in the true path, making the path, protecting us in it. But when Pharaoh and his army attempted to follow Israel in this divinely created path, these same waters completely COVERED them as the Holy Spirit removes and covers our sins, and the Israelites saw THEM NO MORE! What a wonderful picture!
No sacrifices originally
Thus we see, the feast of Unleavened Bread as well as the Passover, was ordained and established FOREVER, prior to the ceremonial law of Moses prior to the old covenant. Let us be consistent about this. Opponents tell us these are in the law of Moses. We reply, they existed before the law of Moses, are carried
over in the New Testament, and therefore are binding today.
Notice especially, that originally there were no sacrifices - no meat and drink ordinances - held on these days. See Jeremiah 7:22-23. These days were not instituted for the purpose of the sacrifices as some have wrongly supposed. These Holy Days are not shadows — they are MEMORIALS, and twice called such. Where do we find such plain language calling the Sabbath a memorial? (See also Leviticus 23:24.)
The Sabbath, too, existed BEFORE the law of Moses — was made HOLY unto the lord before the Mosaic law was given.
When the law of Moses came, with its sacrificial ordinances, its meat and drink ordinances, then these
SACRIFICES AND MEAT AND DRINK OFFERINGS WERE INSTITUTED, TEMPORARILY
— until Christ — to be held, some daily, some on the WEEKLY SABBATH. AND SOME ON THE FIRST OF EACH MONTH AND SOME ON EACH OF THE ANNUAL HOLY DAYS.
But. mark well this fact! Where we find these sacrifices and meat and drink offerings instituted on the Holy Days we find them also on the weekly Sabbath. The same chapters in the law of Moses adding them to the annual days also add them to the WEEKLY DAYS.
The argument that these sacrifices held on these days does away with the days applies equally to the Sabbath! If this argument abolishes one, it abolishes also the other. The Sunday preachers argue that these sacrifices do away with the Sabbath. We deny it — why? The Sabbath existed BEFORE these sacrifices were added. The same is true of the HOLY days! They began, too, before the ritualistic law of Moses! This is so plain that none will deny it except those whose hearts are rebellious against Almighty God and His TRUTH!
Sacrifices on weekly Sabbath
Let us notice. Numbers 28 and 29:
First, the offerings by fire DAY by day. the "morning-evening" sacrifice. Second, verses 9-10, burnt meat offerings and drink offerings every sabbath. Third, verses 11-15, new MOONS. Then, verse 16 to end of chapter 28, the annual days.
Now we know these MEAT and drink offerings, by fire, were typical and were DONE away. But are the seven week days DONE away? Is the weekly sabbath done away? Is the first day of each month DONE away? Only in BABYLON — not in God"s sight. Neither are the annual HOLYDAYS of the Lord done away!
The sacrifices were typical, and they came with the law of Moses, and they went with it. But the DAYS on which they were held were not typical, did not come with the law of Moses and did not go with it.
The days are binding FOREVER! As the Sabbath is a memorial, so are the Holy Days!
Commanded in New Testament
And now we wish to show a new testament command — more plain, more direct, than any we can find for the weekly Sabbath to keep these annual HOLY days!
Observe again Numbers 28:16-17: "... in the fourteenth day of the first month is the Passover of the Lord. And in the fifteenth day of this month is the feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten."
This feast was not the 14th, but the 15th. It was the PASSOVER, when the lamb was killed, the 14th. The daylight part of the 14th was the preparation for the feast. (Matthew 27:62: Mark 15:42: Luke 23:54: John 19:14.) (note, in Jesus' day the Jews celebrated their Passover one day late according to the tradition of the elders John 18:28.)
Let us get this point thoroughly established in our minds, for if this is true, as it is, then all of these
DAYS ARE STILL BINDING UPON US BY NEW TESTAMENT as well as Old Testament authority!
Notice Matthew 26:5: The Jews, conspiring to kill Jesus, said: "... Not on the feast day. lest there be an uproar among the people." They hastened so they could take and kill Him the day before the feast, or on the 14th Nisan.
Mark 14:2 says the same thing. Now to establish that the Feast day was the day after the Passover Festival, and that it was the high-day Sabbath — the day after Jesus was crucified, notice John 13:29: "For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag — was treasurer - Fenton, that Jesus had said unto him. Buy those things that we have need of against the Feast ..." This was at the Passover supper. They thought Jesus was sending Judas out to buy provisions to prepare for the feast. Surely this proved the feast was the following day — the 15th Nisan, as all these scriptures positively affirm.
Now let us examine carefully I Corinthians 5:7-8. Churches have applied this to the PASSOVER. notice it does not say, or apply to, PASSOVER at all. Let us willingly, prayerfully, study to see what it does say:
"... For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast ..." Notice it. Because Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed, therefore let us of the new Testament dispensation — because Christ has died — keep, what? Notice it! not the Passover, which was on the 14th Nisan — but let us keep the feast — which was the 15th! The high-day Sabbath of John 19:31! The annual holy day. And, in a large sense, the feast included all seven of the Days of Unleavened Bread including the SECOND Holy Day or Sabbath on the 21st Nisan! We cannot escape this, if we are yielded to the Lord and the Word of God! There it is, in plain language. in the New Testament! Because Christ was crucified, therefore let us keep the feast! The 14th was the Passover, but in the 15th day of this month is the feast! Let us no longer apply that to the Passover, for it says "feast."
Days of Unleavened Bread kept by Paul and New Testament Church
It is faithfully recorded in the New Testament that, during the period its history covers, the Church was keeping those days!
In Acts 20:6, "... we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread ..." Paul and companions plainly had observed the Days of Unleavened Bread at Philippi. The Holy Spirit could never have inspired such words otherwise.
Notice also Acts 12:3-4: "... Then were the days of unleavened bread . . . intending after Passover [sec Greek] to bring him forth to the people." Could the Holy Spirit have inspired the direct affirmation, "Then were the days of unleavened bread" if those days had, in God's sight, ceased to exist?
Notice, it is not any blinded Judaizers. ignorant of what was abolished, making this statement it is Almighty God saying it through inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This was years after the crucifixion. The Days of Unleavened Bread still existed, or the Holy Spirit could not have inspired "Then were the days of unleavened bread "
By Herbert W Armstrong The GOOD NEWS March 1979
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brought to you as a Study Resource by the
Church of God Faithful Flock
WHAT IS REAL HUMILITY?
You've heard of the humble carpenter of Nazareth. And you've also heard of people who live in monasteries and profess to specialize in humility. But just what is true humility — and, more important, how can you personally acquire it?
Christ said that it will be the "poor in spirit" who inherit God's Kingdom (Matt. 5:3). He also said: "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" (verse 5).
We see from these two important verses found in the well-known Beatitudes that meekness and humility are major requirements for Christians. The teaching of Jesus Christ as expounded and explained in Christ's sermon on the mount in Matthew 5, 6 and 7 lists these essentials first!
But there is a general lack of understanding as to what true humility really is. There is a kind of Christian posturing labeled "humility" that is rather prevalent today, but it is not really true humility at all.
What Humility Is Not.
Some people think that to be humble is to have a lack of drive or zeal. Some believe that only the poor are humble. Such poor people are sometimes proud of their poverty and lack of industry. But this is not true humility.
There is another kind of false humility which is really "pseudo-spirituality." It is sometimes accompanied by an affected or quavering voice and religious-appearing manner. Such trappings also have nothing to do with true humility.
A person unfamiliar with the Bible may not comprehend what real humility is. Such an individual may look upon those who are apparently pious, sanctimonious or religious as being humble. In Colossians 2, there are several verses which warn against this kind of false humility. Such people who have it are said to be "vainly puffed up" (verse 18), which is the exact opposite of true humility.
People with this kind of pseudo-humility may observe certain prohibitions or practice asceticism (verse 21). These practices are based on the ideas and concepts of men rather than the commandments of Almighty God. But none of these outward indications are evidence of true humility.
What Is True Humility?
True godly humility is a product of the working of the Holy Spirit in one's life. It results from a close relationship with the Almighty Creator God.
Christ taught about one facet of humility using a child as an example. He said: "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 18:4). Jesus showed that we need to have the demeanor and frame of mind as found in a properly reared infant. That is, a childlike attitude without pretentions: guileless, teachable, responsive and eager to learn.
David referred to this characteristic of little children when he said: "Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child" (Ps. 131:2). A young child that has been lovingly cared for will be without guile and have an open-eyed willingness to learn.
But humility goes deeper than this. Genuine humility is a proper evaluation of one's self, compared to God and Christ. The word "humility" comes from the Latin word humilis. From this same word we derive our English word "humus" or earth. When we see ourselves in proper perspective, we will see that we are mortal, made of dust. We should come to recognize that we are now imperfect, weak, earthy. We have great potential — we can become sons of God — but for now we are prone to error and weakness. We are but one breath or one heartbeat away from death.
God "knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more" (Ps. 103:14-15). But we humans tend to become self-centered in our orientation and to forget how fragile and short-lived our existence is. We need to realize our mortality very deeply. From God's point of view, all peoples are but dust. We need to understand, then, how weak and insignificant all of us are compared to the greatness of God.
Worm's-Eye View.
We ought to compare our lives with the perfect life of Jesus Christ. David had this "worm's-eye view" of himself (Ps. 22:6). If we see ourselves from this perspective, we won't have an inflated opinion of ourselves.
One of the main problems in viewing ourselves honestly is that we like to compare ourselves with others, and in the evaluation the other person usually comes out second best. The Bible warns us about comparing ourselves with others and says that such people who do so "are not wise" (II Cor. 10:12).
The Bible also tells us that we are not to think of ourselves more highly than we should (Rom. 12:3). Rather, we should esteem others better than ourselves, putting their welfare ahead of our own (Phil. 2:3). If we really do these things, we will have no reason to feel exalted and self-important.
Moses summed up how God tested ancient Israel (and how He is working with true Christians today): "And you shall remember all the way which the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments, or not. And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know; that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but that man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord" (Deut. 8:2-3).
One of the main reasons that God put the fledgling nation of Israel through all these tests and trials was to find out whether or not they would obey Him in all circumstances. When He let them go hungry for awhile, and then fed them with manna, He taught them that there is more to life than just physical sustenance and that even physical sustenance comes from God. They were to learn to acknowledge God as the source of all life lest they come to consider themselves self-sufficient, not heeding God's providence.
Moses also warned in this same chapter that when physical goods are plentiful and all of our needs are taken care of, then we should be careful to remember who gave us this prosperity. When we forget God and His blessings — when our hearts are lifted up (verse 14) — we no longer will have proper humility.
Each of us must develop true humility. But will our humility come the hard way as a result of God causing or permitting traumatic circumstances to come our way? Or can we learn from the mistakes of those who have finally, through many trials and difficulties, developed this essential trait?
God can bring us down by serious illness, severe trials, persecution or grinding poverty. That is the hard way to learn humility. An easier way is to come to that same attitude by seeing, hearing and learning from the experiences of others.
Traumatic Experiences. Moses was a man that Scripture tells us was "very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth" (Num. 12:3). How did Moses become so meek and humble?
He had been reared in the household of Pharaoh, receiving a royal upbringing and the best education the land of Egypt offered. According to the Jewish historian Josephus, after growing into manhood he had a prominent and successful position as a general in the Egyptian army.
Moses may well have been filled with vanity and self-importance during this period of his life. In due time, he became concerned about his brethren and murdered an Egyptian who was oppressing one of the Israelites. Moses was found out in his crime and was forced to flee into the desert, where he lived in exile for 40 years. He no doubt had plenty of time to reminisce about his past great accomplishments and to regret his mistakes.
At age 80 he saw the burning bush in the wilderness and, possibly for the first time in his life, had a personal encounter with the Almighty God. Time, circumstance and experience wrought a profound effect. The cumulative impact of his trials, tests and experiences, culminating in his meeting with Almighty God, matured him and produced genuine humility.
Oftentimes, people who have lived long and have benefited from their experiences become more mature, more mellow. They have a better perspective of life and what it is all about, which results in a deeper humility.
Job was another man of antiquity who at one time had great power, authority and influence. But all of this was taken away suddenly. He endured great suffering and agony for many months. Finally, after God talked to him personally, he also came to have this rare attitude of true humility. After this contact with the true Creator God, he said: "Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:6). He, too, came to properly evaluate his own place in the universe.
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, was one of the most powerful rulers of ancient times. He was proud, arrogant and ruthless. But God brought him down to a condition which few men have ever experienced. He lost his sanity and became like a wild animal for seven long years.
When his wits returned and he was able once again to assume personal control of the great Babylonian Empire, he said this about his debasing and humiliating experience: "Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase" (Dan. 4:37). Nebuchadnezzar had also finally been able to properly evaluate himself, a thing he could not do before he had been struck down. After a lifetime of pride and arrogance, he now had some humility.
There are many other examples in the Bible of people who were vain and puffed up, but who went through experiences that finally humbled them.
Read and Learn? In a sense, humility can't be learned entirely from a book. It is something God develops in us through day-to-day experiences which exercise and develop His Holy Spirit. But by being receptive to God's Spirit and ever mindful of biblical examples, we can avoid having to learn humility by the school of very hard knocks. Will it be necessary for God to teach us through traumatic experiences, the hard way? Or can we learn an easier way: from the mistakes of others, from the multitude of scriptures on this subject and the guidance of His Spirit in our minds day by day?
If we want to be in God's Kingdom, we need to acquire true humility. Only those who are teachable, who have this personal realization of their own worth compared to God's greatness, will inherit God's Kingdom that is soon going to be established on this earth.
by L. Leroy Neff GOOD NEWS June 1976
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brought to you as a Study Resource by the
Church of God Faithful Flock
Christ said that it will be the "poor in spirit" who inherit God's Kingdom (Matt. 5:3). He also said: "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" (verse 5).
We see from these two important verses found in the well-known Beatitudes that meekness and humility are major requirements for Christians. The teaching of Jesus Christ as expounded and explained in Christ's sermon on the mount in Matthew 5, 6 and 7 lists these essentials first!
But there is a general lack of understanding as to what true humility really is. There is a kind of Christian posturing labeled "humility" that is rather prevalent today, but it is not really true humility at all.
What Humility Is Not.
Some people think that to be humble is to have a lack of drive or zeal. Some believe that only the poor are humble. Such poor people are sometimes proud of their poverty and lack of industry. But this is not true humility.
There is another kind of false humility which is really "pseudo-spirituality." It is sometimes accompanied by an affected or quavering voice and religious-appearing manner. Such trappings also have nothing to do with true humility.
A person unfamiliar with the Bible may not comprehend what real humility is. Such an individual may look upon those who are apparently pious, sanctimonious or religious as being humble. In Colossians 2, there are several verses which warn against this kind of false humility. Such people who have it are said to be "vainly puffed up" (verse 18), which is the exact opposite of true humility.
People with this kind of pseudo-humility may observe certain prohibitions or practice asceticism (verse 21). These practices are based on the ideas and concepts of men rather than the commandments of Almighty God. But none of these outward indications are evidence of true humility.
What Is True Humility?
True godly humility is a product of the working of the Holy Spirit in one's life. It results from a close relationship with the Almighty Creator God.
Christ taught about one facet of humility using a child as an example. He said: "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 18:4). Jesus showed that we need to have the demeanor and frame of mind as found in a properly reared infant. That is, a childlike attitude without pretentions: guileless, teachable, responsive and eager to learn.
David referred to this characteristic of little children when he said: "Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child" (Ps. 131:2). A young child that has been lovingly cared for will be without guile and have an open-eyed willingness to learn.
But humility goes deeper than this. Genuine humility is a proper evaluation of one's self, compared to God and Christ. The word "humility" comes from the Latin word humilis. From this same word we derive our English word "humus" or earth. When we see ourselves in proper perspective, we will see that we are mortal, made of dust. We should come to recognize that we are now imperfect, weak, earthy. We have great potential — we can become sons of God — but for now we are prone to error and weakness. We are but one breath or one heartbeat away from death.
God "knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more" (Ps. 103:14-15). But we humans tend to become self-centered in our orientation and to forget how fragile and short-lived our existence is. We need to realize our mortality very deeply. From God's point of view, all peoples are but dust. We need to understand, then, how weak and insignificant all of us are compared to the greatness of God.
Worm's-Eye View.
We ought to compare our lives with the perfect life of Jesus Christ. David had this "worm's-eye view" of himself (Ps. 22:6). If we see ourselves from this perspective, we won't have an inflated opinion of ourselves.
One of the main problems in viewing ourselves honestly is that we like to compare ourselves with others, and in the evaluation the other person usually comes out second best. The Bible warns us about comparing ourselves with others and says that such people who do so "are not wise" (II Cor. 10:12).
The Bible also tells us that we are not to think of ourselves more highly than we should (Rom. 12:3). Rather, we should esteem others better than ourselves, putting their welfare ahead of our own (Phil. 2:3). If we really do these things, we will have no reason to feel exalted and self-important.
Moses summed up how God tested ancient Israel (and how He is working with true Christians today): "And you shall remember all the way which the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments, or not. And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know; that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but that man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord" (Deut. 8:2-3).
One of the main reasons that God put the fledgling nation of Israel through all these tests and trials was to find out whether or not they would obey Him in all circumstances. When He let them go hungry for awhile, and then fed them with manna, He taught them that there is more to life than just physical sustenance and that even physical sustenance comes from God. They were to learn to acknowledge God as the source of all life lest they come to consider themselves self-sufficient, not heeding God's providence.
Moses also warned in this same chapter that when physical goods are plentiful and all of our needs are taken care of, then we should be careful to remember who gave us this prosperity. When we forget God and His blessings — when our hearts are lifted up (verse 14) — we no longer will have proper humility.
Each of us must develop true humility. But will our humility come the hard way as a result of God causing or permitting traumatic circumstances to come our way? Or can we learn from the mistakes of those who have finally, through many trials and difficulties, developed this essential trait?
God can bring us down by serious illness, severe trials, persecution or grinding poverty. That is the hard way to learn humility. An easier way is to come to that same attitude by seeing, hearing and learning from the experiences of others.
Traumatic Experiences. Moses was a man that Scripture tells us was "very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth" (Num. 12:3). How did Moses become so meek and humble?
He had been reared in the household of Pharaoh, receiving a royal upbringing and the best education the land of Egypt offered. According to the Jewish historian Josephus, after growing into manhood he had a prominent and successful position as a general in the Egyptian army.
Moses may well have been filled with vanity and self-importance during this period of his life. In due time, he became concerned about his brethren and murdered an Egyptian who was oppressing one of the Israelites. Moses was found out in his crime and was forced to flee into the desert, where he lived in exile for 40 years. He no doubt had plenty of time to reminisce about his past great accomplishments and to regret his mistakes.
At age 80 he saw the burning bush in the wilderness and, possibly for the first time in his life, had a personal encounter with the Almighty God. Time, circumstance and experience wrought a profound effect. The cumulative impact of his trials, tests and experiences, culminating in his meeting with Almighty God, matured him and produced genuine humility.
Oftentimes, people who have lived long and have benefited from their experiences become more mature, more mellow. They have a better perspective of life and what it is all about, which results in a deeper humility.
Job was another man of antiquity who at one time had great power, authority and influence. But all of this was taken away suddenly. He endured great suffering and agony for many months. Finally, after God talked to him personally, he also came to have this rare attitude of true humility. After this contact with the true Creator God, he said: "Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:6). He, too, came to properly evaluate his own place in the universe.
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, was one of the most powerful rulers of ancient times. He was proud, arrogant and ruthless. But God brought him down to a condition which few men have ever experienced. He lost his sanity and became like a wild animal for seven long years.
When his wits returned and he was able once again to assume personal control of the great Babylonian Empire, he said this about his debasing and humiliating experience: "Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase" (Dan. 4:37). Nebuchadnezzar had also finally been able to properly evaluate himself, a thing he could not do before he had been struck down. After a lifetime of pride and arrogance, he now had some humility.
There are many other examples in the Bible of people who were vain and puffed up, but who went through experiences that finally humbled them.
Read and Learn? In a sense, humility can't be learned entirely from a book. It is something God develops in us through day-to-day experiences which exercise and develop His Holy Spirit. But by being receptive to God's Spirit and ever mindful of biblical examples, we can avoid having to learn humility by the school of very hard knocks. Will it be necessary for God to teach us through traumatic experiences, the hard way? Or can we learn an easier way: from the mistakes of others, from the multitude of scriptures on this subject and the guidance of His Spirit in our minds day by day?
If we want to be in God's Kingdom, we need to acquire true humility. Only those who are teachable, who have this personal realization of their own worth compared to God's greatness, will inherit God's Kingdom that is soon going to be established on this earth.
by L. Leroy Neff GOOD NEWS June 1976
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brought to you as a Study Resource by the
Church of God Faithful Flock
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