Greetings Brethren,

There are many contemporary questions and concerns found in the scriptures. For example the Hebrew bid for Reparations during the time of the Exodus. Also the parallels of the enslavement of Black people and the ancient Hebrews. What of the 430 year sojourn and the time period of the enslavement of Blacks in America? Who are the Black Hebrews, are these people the original Hebrews? Then who are those that ascribe Hebrew ancestry that are European?

Thus, the events of the Passover and the Exodus hold the key too many questions and concerns. Also, what of Judaism. Was Judaism a vehicle to Christianity? Then what of the Law now?

Peace and Love,

Carl Patton writing for the FreedomJournal April 15, 2002 in the year of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

FREEDOMJOURNAL SPEAKS

THE ORIGIN AND REALITY OF THE PASSOVER

PART 1: INTRODUCTION

In the name of Jehovah God, Master of the universe, Ruler of the earth.

The Biblical account of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ occurred during the Passover celebration by the Hebrew people. However, the Passover has an origin in the Old Testament during the Exodus. Meanwhile there is some confusion regarding what is the Passover and how does it impact on Christians today. Also there is a need to disclose how the events surrounding the historical development of the Passover influence present day Christians and the Christians who made the transition from Judaism to Christians. Jesus Christ the Messiah is seen in the Passover from the Old to the New. Also Christ came to remove the need for the Passover Celebration in that it was a Hebrew Holy day and not day to be celebrated by the Christians.

In the second Book of the Old Testament we find the most extensive Biblical record of the Passover. This discussion is found in Exodus chapters 12 and 13. Thus, the Exodus of the Hebrew people is very important to an understanding of the Passover. For example the 10 plagues and the Passover preceded the Exodus. The Torah is also a source for a Biblical record of the Passover and the Exodus. See Exodus 12:37, 13:20, 14:2-5, 15:22-27, 16:1-2, 17:1, 19:1-2, and Numbers 33:3-15. The Bible also renders several Biblical passages regarding the Exodus, see Judges 6:8-13, Psalms 78:12-53, 106:7-46, Isaiah 63:11-13, Ezekiel 20:5-26, Hebrews 11:27-29. However, these scriptures are also based on the traditions of the Torah.

So what is the Feast of the Passover? The Passover is an annual celebration and ritual that pays tribute to God for the deliverance of the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt. This celebration and observance took place on the 14th day of Nisan. This month was noted as Abid in older calendars. For the record month is a synonym for moon. The people of Old times worshiped the moon and measured time by it. Meanwhile, the ancient Hebrew people established their months by various names. These names were taken from the Phoenicians and Canaanites. Also, the names were related to seasonal things. Abid is the pre-exilic name for the first month of the year. (See Exodus 13:4, 23:15, 34:18). However, after the exile the name was changed to Nisan. This month fell around the time of our contemporary month of March and early April. (Also see Nehemiah 2:1, Esther 3:7, Deuteronomy 16:1).

Therefore, on the 14th day of Nisan the Passover took place. This celebration included the slaughter of a lamb and its consumption as a meal shared by the entire family. However the Passover eventually became associated with the seven-day Festival of Unleavened Bread that began on the 15th of Nisan. Thus, the Passover celebration was held from the 14th of Nisan to the 21st. It is also noted that the Passover is a reflection of an ancient nomadic observance. The blood of a slaughtered animal was thought to provide protection for a nomadic community during annual migrations. Meanwhile the Biblical record reveals that a pre-selected lamb is slaughtered at twilight on the 14th day of Nisan (Exodus 12:1-6). The blood is placed on the frame of the door (Exodus 12:7).

The Exodus story goes onto note that the blood serves to protect the Hebrew people from the divine plagues that will kill the first born. Eventually the lamb that was slaughtered is roasted and eaten by the entire family. This meal includes unleavened bread and bitter herbs (Exodus 12:8- 11). In Exodus 13:6 we see that the seven-day Festival of Unleavened Bread follows the Passover. But the seven-day Festival requires a pilgrimage to a sacred site on the seventh day of the Festival.

Furthermore the Passover is a celebration of not only what God has done in the past. But also what God is doing in the present. We also note that the Passover marks the exit from Egypt, and also the entry into the land of promise. Meanwhile, the Passover observance saw several changes. These changes are Biblical but we will also note the man-made changes and the significance of the Passover to present day Christians. The family observance in the home is transformed into a national pilgrimage festival.

The first change noted in Deuteronomy 16:6 and Exodus 12:6 changed the time of the slaughter of the animal. The second change found in Deuteronomy 16:2, Exodus 12:3 noted that the Hebrew people could choose either cattle or sheep for the sacrifice. The third change (Deuteronomy 16:7, Exodus 12:9) changed the method of cooking the meat from roasting to boiling. Also, most likely the combing and association of the Passover and the Festival for Unleavened Bread occurred at the time of Deuteronomic reforms.