Tag Archive | Passover

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 58

Feb27
Day 58.  Reading Numbers 8 – 10. 

Read the scripture for today. What do you learn about God? Share what you learn with others.

Numbers 8.

The LORD details more blessings and requirements for the Levites, that special tribe selected as God’s
“first born” to work specifically in and with the Tabernacle (and later the Temple). A special  one-time “cleansing” ceremony would set them apart from the rest of Israel for special work. It involved shaving their entire body, sprinkling with holy water and then special sacrifices and offerings were made, burnt offerings for their atonement. Then Moses would set THEM before the LORD as a wave offering.

Levites would begin their work of service and carrying at age 25 and continue until age 50. Then they would retire. However they would still minister to the LORD by keeping guard.

Numbers 9.

Now Israel was to celebrate the second Passover Remembrance/Celebration since the original time when they escaped from Egypt. All their ceremonial cleansing, getting rid of leaven, and eating the lamb, bitter herbs, unleavened bread, and questions to be asked were the same, but there was no blood on the door posts (tent flaps?) or a rush to depart.  It would truly be a time of gratitude for what God had done for them.

If for some reason, some of the people were “unclean” at that time (such as their example of touching a dead body). they would wait one month and then celebrate the Passover. But it MUST happen then.

Next comes the reminder of the presence of God with them in the form of a cloud by day and a fire by night, hovering over the Tabernacle. As long as it stayed there, they were to remain camped. But when the “Presence” rose and moved, Israel was to pack up camp and go.

Numbers 10.

For a great multitude such as theirs, spread out in a camp, (and no texting) the signal to move out, or to call soldiers to war, or to begin the celebration of Feast Days, would be the blast/blasts of a trumpet/trumpets. There would be two silver trumpets blown in different ways for different signals.

Next, Moses shows the clockwise spiral order for Israel to break camp and leave.  

  • First, the standard of the camp of Judah, with Issachar and Zebulun would start out.
  • Next the Gershonites and Merarites carrying the parts of the Tabernacle’s structure would set out.
  • Then the southern company headed by Reuben, with Simeon and Gad, would leave
  • Following them, the Kohathites carrying on their shoulders all the holy things  (In this way the Tabernacle tent and courtyard could be set up and ready at the next camping place before the holy furnishings arrived
  • After these, the western company led by Ephraim set out, with Manasseh and Benjamin.
  • Finally, the rear guard on the northern side of the camp would leave, led by Dan with the tribes of Asher and Naphtali.

This was the order every time they left camp.

NOTE: Verse 33, says that the Ark of the Covenant would actually be at the head of the line, leading them to the next resting place.

In reverse, this was the way it would be set up at a new place. Judah’s three, Gershon & Merari with the Tabernacle and setting it up, Reuben’s three on the south side, then Kohath bringing in the holy things for the Tabernacle. After that the three on the Western side led by Ephraim, and finally, Dan’s three, sealing up the circle on the Northern side.

Everything done decently and in order.

  • Thank You, LORD, that You show the way we should go and how to walk in it. Thank You for making provision for circumstances out of our control. And Thank You for giving a lifting of labor for ones who have faithfully served You all their lives. You are a kind, forgiving, and loving God. I thank and worship You.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Days 33 & 34 (Part 1)

Feb3

Day 33. Reading in Exodus 10 -1 2. 

Read the scripture for today. What do you learn about God? Share what you learn with others.

Exodus 10.

After the horrendous hail had stopped, Pharaoh changed his mind yet again. 

The LORD said to Moses, “I have hardened Pharaoh’s heart and the heart of his servants.” Say to Pharaoh, “How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me?  LET MY PEOPLE GO, THAT THEY MAY SERVE ME. If you refuse … I will bring locusts, such as you have never seen, to cover the face of the land. They will eat whatever is left from the hail. They will fill your houses.”

Then Moses turned and left the king’s presence.

Pharaoh’s servants begged him, “Let the men go that they may serve the LORD their God! Do you not yet understand that EGYPT IS RUINED??”

Moses and Aaron were called back in.  “Okay! Go! Serve the LORD your God. But who will go?” 

“We will go with our young and old, our daughters and sons, our flocks and herds, for we must hold a feast to the LORD.”

“I will NEVER let you AND your little ones go! YOU HAVE SOME EVIL PURPOSE IN MIND!!” yelled Pharaoh. “No! Only you and the men will go. That’s what you asked for!” 

And he drove them out of his presence.

And God sent the locusts when Moses stretched out his staff over Egypt. The early East wind brought them. The sky was dark. The land was covered with the winged insects, chomping, chomping.

Quickly, Pharaoh called them back. “Oh, I’ve sinned against the LORD your God. Forgive my sin only this once!  PLEAD WITH THE LORD TO REMOVE THIS DEATH FROM ME!!!”

Moses prayed. The LORD heard. He blew every last one of them into the Red Sea.  And … “The LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart.”

Then, without warning, God told Moses to stretch out his hand toward heaven. A complete, deep darkness descended on Egypt for three days. A darkness that could be “felt.” They could not see each other or their hands in front of their faces. They all were confined to their beds. (Goshen had light!)

“GO! Serve the LORD; your little ones may go with you! Only not your flocks and herds.”

“Sorry,” said Moses. “Everything must go. Not a hoof must remain. We don’t know what we’ll need.”

But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart.

“NO! Go away! I never want to see your face again!“

Exodus 11.

“I have one more plague yet,” said the LORD.  “After that, he will let you go.  He will drive you away completely. Now tell your people that every man and woman shall ask their neighbor for gold and silver jewelry.”

“Here’s what will happen, Moses…

“About midnight, I will go out in the midst of EGYPT, and EVERY FIRSTBORN in the land of Egypt SHALL DIE of Pharaoh, his servants, and his cattle. There will be a great cry throughout the land of Egypt. But not a dog shall growl in Israel.  And all Pharaoh’s servants shall say to you, “GET OUT, YOU AND ALL THE PEOPLE WHO FOLLOW YOU!”

Exodus 12.

Earlier, God had told Moses about the glorious exodus and how it would go down for the Israelites. In fact, the exit from Egypt would signal a new calendar. This event would signal a new year – a new beginning as the “nation” of Israel.  It would be an event that should be remembered forever, told about to all generations to follow. It was to be “Passover.”

Moses had been instructed by God how to prepare the people.

  • They were to select a spotless lamb, watch him for 3 days to make sure he was perfect,
  • Then all of Israel would kill their lamb at one time and roast it whole. 
  • Its blood was to be caught and swiped on the doorposts and top bar of the door of their house. (VERY IMPORTANT TO DO THIS!!  Because when the Angel of the LORD came to kill all the firstborn of man and beast in Egypt … He would see that blood of the lamb and PASSOVER that house.) Everyone inside the “blood-stained” houses would live.
  • They were to have their things packed (including all the jewelry and clothing the Egyptians had given them) and to eat the lamb standing up in their travel clothes and sandals. 
  • They were not to wait for the bread to rise but bake/eat it without leaven.
  • None of them was to go outside until daybreak.

The people of Israel did all the LORD had commanded them through Moses. 

Midnight arrived.

Israel ate in silence. 

Then, they heard that great cry rise and echo through Egypt. Every house wailing for a loved one dead.

.Pharaoh summoned Moses. “GET OUT FROM AMONG MY PEOPLE!  GO!  Serve the LORD. Take your flocks and herds and everyone!  BE GONE!

All the Egyptians were URGENT with the people to send them out of the land in haste. “We shall all be dead!” they cried. 

So, after plundering Egypt, the promised children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob-Israel began to move out of Goshen toward the city of Ramses—and then home.  And Moses took the bones of Joseph with them. (13:19)

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There were 600K men, plus women and children, and livestock. A “mixed” multitude of non-Jews (other slaves?) also went with them.

It was 430 years to the very day they came down, that they went out from Egypt.

 

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 313

Nov9

     Day 313—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

Day 313 – Matthew 26, Mark 14 (Judas’ betrayal, Passover/Lord’s Supper, Jesus foretells Peter’s denial, Gethsemane, Arrest and trial, Peter’s denial)

Today’s and tomorrow’s passages are similar.

Jesus states clearly to His disciples that “after two days, the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” (How plain can He say it?)

The chief priests and elders gather in Caiaphas’s palace and plot to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill Him.

Judas goes to them and asks what they will pay him to deliver Jesus to them.  They give him 30 pieces of silver. From that time on, Judas seeks an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Two disciples ask Jesus where He wants them to prepare the Passover. Jesus tells them to find a certain man in the city, one carrying a jar of water (an unusual sight because women usually carry water). They were to ask him where, and he would show them a large upper room furnished and ready.

At the meal, Jesus announces that one of them will betray Him. Eleven disciples exclaim, “Is it I, Lord?” Judas asks, “Is it I, Rabbi?” Jesus answers him, Yes, and dismisses him to do what he must.

Jesus then institutes the Lord’s Supper (Communion), relating the bread to His body and the wine to His blood. Both would be “given” to them at His crucifixion, where the forgiveness of sin would be purchased.  Hereafter, they were to eat and drink these in memorial to Him.

Then, after they had sung a hymn (probably Psalm 118), Jesus announced that they would ALL fall away that very night because of Him. He quotes Zechariah 13:7, “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.”  But He tells them AGAIN that He will be raised and that afterward, He will go before them to Galilee.

“Even though they all fall away, I WILL NOT,” declares Peter.

“Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”

“If I must die with You, I WILL NOT DENY YOU,” repeats Peter, and they all join the pledge.

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

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And they went out to the Mount of Olives to a place called Gethsemane….

More tomorrow.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 200

Jul18

    Day 200—We are in the seventh month of Bible reading. Praise God!

    Day 200 –2 Kings 18, 2 Chronicles 29 – 31, Psalm 48. (Godly Hezekiah restores worship and Passover in Judah, then Sennacherib attacks)

The chapters in 2 Chronicles tell of the new King Hezekiah in Judah and how he “did right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done.” 

Hezekiah removed the high places of idol worship and broke the pillars and Asherah. He even destroyed the bronze serpent Moses had made in the wilderness because the people had started to worship it. 

Hezekiah “trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel, so that there were none like him among all the kings of Judah after him or before him. He held fast to the LORD. He did not depart from following Him but kept the commandments that the LORD commanded Moses. And THE LORD WAS WITH HIM. WHEREVER HE WENT OUT, HE PROSPERED.”

Right away, King Hezekiah gets the temple, the priests, and the Levites cleansed & concentrated so true worship of the LORD could be restored. The holy men responded and began the cleansing. They brought out the “filth from the Holy Place” and all uncleanness and dumped it in the Kidron valley.  For eight more days they consecrated the house of the LORD, putting back all the utensils used in the temple.

Then, with as many of the consecrated priests, they began the sin offerings to make atonement for all Israel. The Levites stood with instruments and encouraged the people to sing and worship the LORD. They sang the words of David and Asaph. They sang the songs with gladness, bowed down, and worshiped.

Psalm 48  

‘Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised,

in the city of our God!

His holy mountain,

beautiful in elevation,

is the joy of all the earth,

Mount Zion in the north,

the city of the great King.

We have thought on your steadfast love, O God,

in the midst of your temple.

As your name, O God,

so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth.

Your right hand is filled with righteousness.

Let Mount Zion be glad!”

Then King Hezekiah invited any who were left in the northern kingdom of Israel to come and join Judah in the Passover celebration, so long neglected. He got jeers and mocking, but some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.

Hezekiah knew there wouldn’t be time for them to consecrate themselves and encouraged them with, “The LORD your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away His face from you if you return to Him.”   When they arrived, he prayed for them, saying, “May the good LORD pardon everyone who sets his heart to seek God, the LORD, the God of his fathers, even though not according to the sanctuary’s rules of cleanness.”  And the LORD HEARD Hezekiah. 

And there was such a joyous celebration of Passover! They stayed for the seven days of Unleavened Bread and extended it another seven days. The Levites and priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with all their might to the LORD.  So they ate the food of the festival, sacrificing peace offerings and giving thanks to the LORD, the God of their fathers.

“There was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of Solomon the son of David King of Israel there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem.”  And the prayers of blessing by the priests and Levites arose and came to His holy habitation in heaven.

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Then, as it always happens, after “mountain top experiences” come the “dark valleys.”

“After these things and these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib, King of Assyria, came and invaded Judah and encamped against them.”

And the Rabshakeh (commander and spokesman for Sennacherib) taunted the king and people of Jerusalem. “On what do you rest this trust of yours?   In whom do you now trust?  Egypt? They are nothing. If you say to me, ‘We trust in the LORD our God,’ is it not he whose high places and altars Hezekiah has removed???  

And to the people on the wall, he called, “DO NOT let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to deliver you out of my hand.  DO NOT let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD by saying, the LORD will surely deliver us.  DO NOT listen to Hezekiah when he misleads you.  Has any of the gods of the nations EVER delivered his land out of the land of the king of Assyria???  Who among all the gods of the lands have delivered their lands out of my hand, that THE LORD SHOULD DELIVER JERUSALEM OUT OF MY HAND??”

However, the people were silent and answered him not a word, for the king’s command was, “Do not answer him.”  But the king’s chief of staff came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn and told him the words of the Rabshakeh. 

And we’ll see what the godly Hezekiah does in the next chapter (2 Kings 19) in nine days. Meanwhile, Isaiah.  

 

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 58

Feb27

    Day 58 —  We are still in the second month, but we’ve begun a new book! We’ve been reading for over a 1/12 of a year! Praise God! I hope that it’s become a GOOD habit that will continue.

   Day 58 – Numbers 8 – 10 (Levites,, Passover, the Cloud, Bye-bye Sinai)

In chapter 8, Another ceremony is instigated of setting apart of the whole tribe of Levi, as the representatives of God’s “first born.” God also sets the age of retirement for priests at 50 years old. They may still guard the Tabernacle, but no long serve in it.

In chapter 9, the whole of Israel celebrates Passover the first time since the original one the night of their escape from Egypt. Some people were worried, that if they had become unclean from, say touching a dead body, they weren’t able to celebrate on that day. God gave lenience and said they, and whoever might be on a long journey, could celebrate it a month later. (How kind is our God!)

Directions were made clear also about the “cloud” or visible presence of God with Israel. When it rested, covering the Tabernacle, they were to remain in that encampment.  However, if it lifted, they were to pack up and follow wherever it led. Whether it rested in one spot two days, a month, or even longer, Israel was not to move, but to always to look to God for their direction.

Numbers 10. Also, because they were to be traveling, God told Moses to tell them about a series of trumpet blasts, as a sort of message, especially to those camped at a distance.  Different trumpets and blasts would be used to summon the people together (say for an important meeting), and at other times, the blasts would signal the breaking of camp. And also, the different blasts would signal how each of the four encampments would set out – decently and in order, as aways.

And finally, just after Passover (as in the first time) the now “nation” of Israel (complete with spiritual leaders and army) was to set out in stages from Mt. Sinai towards the Promised Land. Judah, with Issachar and Zebulun set out first,  Next the Gershonites and Merarites, two of the Levite clans, would leave with the Tabernacle structure . After them, Reuben with Simeon and Gad left, followed by the Kohathites caring the Holy furnishings of the Tabernacle. (Except the Ark of the Covenant, which would lead everything.) Next Ephraim with Manasseh and Benjamin would follow, and finally Dan with Asher and Naphtali would march out, as Israel’s rear guard.

And so they set out on a three-day journey. I can imagine the great joy and excitement they felt, as the newly consecrated and organized people of God, with His laws and ordinances firmly set in their minds, finally realized they were now heading toward their destiny, the Land that God had promised to Abraham so many years before.  It was happening at last!  What could go wrong?

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 51

Feb20

    Day 51 —  We are in the second month! We’ve been reading for over a 1/12 of a year! Praise God! I hope that it’s become a GOOD habit that will continue.

   Day 51 – Leviticus 22 – 23  (priesthood holiness, the LORD’s festivals)

As in the previous chapter, Leviticus 22 emphasizes how holy and “clean” the priests are to be before the LORD in relationships, bodily & spiritual living, and even in eating the “holy” offerings that they are allowed to eat.

God says to them, “So you shall keep my commandments and do them: I am the LORD, and you shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel. I am the LORD who sanctifies you…”  

(There is great responsibility in leadership, especially in His service.)

In chapter 23, God tells Moses to instruct the people about seven festivals.  “These are appointed feasts of the LORD that you shall proclaim as holy convocations: they are my appointed feasts.”  The Sabbath was to be a continuing weekly time of rest.  Passover and Unleavened Bread, were events that they had already begun to celebrate. It was a time to remember how their God had delivered them from Egypt with great power.

Firstfruits was to be celebrated when they were in the land. It was to come shortly after Unleavened Bread. In it, they would dedicate the very first fruits of their agriculture labor by “waving” grain, flour with oil as a food offering before the LORD (as part of the Priest’s sustenance). They were to eat NONE of their harvests before this was first offered to God.

Weeks (or called Pentecost) came 50 days after Unleavened Bread, and would be another offering from the harvest they’d planted in the Promised Land.  First to God, then to themselves. (And as a side note, they were to leave the “corners” of their fields unharvested, so the poor in the land could glean food for their families.)

Trumpets (Rosh HaShana) would come in the fall as a SOLEMN day of rest. It would precede and prepare the people by confession and making thing “right” with their fellows, for the Most Holy Day of Atonement, the one day when the High Priest would carry the blood of the sacrificial goat into the Holy of Holies before the LORD to atone for the sins of the people of Israel. It would be a time of mourning for the people for their sins, confessing sins, and accepting the forgiveness and cleansing that only God can give.

Booths would be a joyous, fun time when the people recalled how God cared for them in the Wilderness. They would erect and live in booths, or make-shift shelters made out of branches and palm fronds, staying outdoors (like camping out for kids) for seven days. And they would also offer food offerings to the LORD (and priests).

These were happy and solemn celebrations, to remember God their deliverer and provider and the One alone who can cover/forgive their sins.

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(Oh, that my heart would so remember, honor, and thank God throughout the year, weekly, daily, and even minute by minute. He truly is all I need for life and godliness.)

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 33

Feb2

   Day 33 —  We are in the second month now! We’ve been reading for 1/12th of a year! Praise God. I pray it’s become a GOOD habit that will continue.

   Day 33 – Exodus 10 – 12  (three plagues, Passover, and escape)

The LORD tells Moses that these mighty plagues were not only for Pharoah and all Egypt, but also for Moses to tell to the following generations of Israel so they too would KNOW that He is “the LORD.”

LET MY PEOPLE GO!  Or locusts will destroy your country.

Chapter 10. At this point Pharaoh’s servents tell him to let the slaves go! “Do you not yet understand that Egypt is ruined??” (Think how Egypt was enriched under the direction of another man of God, Joseph. Now, the entire economy is being destroyed.)

Pharaoh growls out that the Hebrew MEN can go to sacrifice to their God. But when Moses insists that all their children and flocks and herds must go too, Pharaoh erupts in anger, “NO!”  So at the God’s direction, Moses stretched out his hand over Egypt and a great, black hoard of locusts blotted out the sun and covered the land. They devoured the newly sprouting wheat and all fruit and leaves on trees.

Pharaoh agains feigns sorrow and confession of sin and pleads for Moses to ask God to take away “this death” from him. In answer to Moses’ prayer, and in accord to His plan, God caused a great wind to blow every single last locust away from Egypt and into the Red Sea.  And as soon as that was done, the LORD hardened the king’s heart even more.

Without a warning, God brings the ninth plague via Moses’ hand stretched to heaven. Utter and complete thick darkness descends on Egypt for three days (but not in Goshen). It seems that not even a candle could be lit for the people could not even see each other.

The steel-hearted Pharaoh tells Moses that the men AND children can go… but NOT the herds and flocks.  “No deal.” says Moses, and Pharaoh screams for him to get out and NEVER SEE HIS FACE AGAIN.

“Just so,” answers Moses.  In chapter 11, he gives a final warning, telling Pharaoh about the last deadly plague (which God had earlier told Moses about).

“About midnight “I” will go out in the midst of Egypt and every firsborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh to the firstborn of the slave girl, and even to the first born of the cattle.” But God, through Moses reminds them that not even a dog shall growl against any of the Hebrews.

Then, in hot anger, Moses leaves Pharaoh’s presence forever.

Chapter 12. Earlier Moses had given the people of Israel instructions about their “EXODUS.”  First they were to prepare for that dreadful night when the first born sons would die. To keep the angel of death from their homes they were to take a spotless lamb, kill it, and use its blood to mark the doorposts and lintel of their doors. When the Angel saw the blood… he would “pass over” that house and NOT visit it with death.  They would be safe because of the blood of the sacrificed lamb, which ultimately pointed to the sacrificial death of Jesus, THE Lamb of God, to save all who believed and “applied” His blood.

Israel should also prepare to depart Egypt quickly. They were to go to all their neighbors and ask for clothing, silver and gold jewelry. (God gave them favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so they “plundered” Egypt.)  Also their flocks and herds should be round up, their things packed, and a final meal of the roasted lamb, and unleavened bread (no time to let the dough rise) baked.

At midnight, with the last of the meal finished, and dressed in their traveling clothes, backpacks on and staffs in hand, they began to hear “A GREAT CRY” in Egypt. The firstborn sons were dying.  This was the sign, and the people, led by Moses, moved out of Egypt.  All 2+ million of them, which included some Egyptians and other Semitic people who “identified” with Israel’s God, plus huge herds and flocks of animals.

(What a great hole they must have left in Egypt.)

They had been in Egypt 430 years to the day (perhaps counted from when Joseph was first taken there as a slave). God watched until every last one of his “chosen” people walked out of slavery. 12:42

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(Earlier in chapter 12, God had instructed the people, through Moses, about the meaning of this “Passover,” and how it was to be celebrated annually in remembrance of God’s great deliverance. The blood of the spotless lamb, and the unleavened bread were especially important. These two things are what Jesus points to in the Last (Passover) Supper He celebrated with His disciples, refering to the bread and wine as His body and blood “given for them,” signifying a NEW covenant. Matthew 26:26-28