Numbers 28:17 – “On the fifteenth day of this month there is to be a festival; for seven days eat bread made without yeast.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
Numbers 28:17 introduces the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which begins on the fifteenth day of the first month, immediately following the Passover. This seven-day festival required the Israelites to eat bread made without yeast, symbolizing purity and separation from sin. The unleavened bread, known as matzah, was a reminder of the Israelites’ hasty departure from Egypt when they did not have time to let their bread rise.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread was more than just a dietary change; it was a week-long celebration of God’s deliverance and a call to live in purity and obedience. By eating bread without yeast, the Israelites were not only remembering their escape from Egypt but also embracing a lifestyle that avoided corruption and sin. This festival was a physical and spiritual act of remembrance, reinforcing the importance of living set apart for God.
Historical Context
The Feast of Unleavened Bread has its roots in the Exodus story, which recounts the dramatic rescue of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. In Exodus 12:15-20, God commanded the Israelites to observe this feast every year as a way to remember their liberation. The quick departure from Egypt meant there was no time to add yeast to their dough, resulting in unleavened bread becoming a symbol of the haste and urgency of their escape.
For the Israelites, the feast was not only a time of looking back but also a time of looking forward, focusing on how God had brought them out of bondage and into freedom. It was a national celebration that reinforced their identity as a people rescued by God’s hand and set apart for His purposes. Observing this feast was a way to pass down the story of God’s deliverance to each new generation, ensuring that His mighty works would not be forgotten.
Theological Implications
Theologically, Numbers 28:17 underscores the importance of remembering God’s acts of salvation and living in response to His deliverance. The Feast of Unleavened Bread was a call to purity, symbolized by the absence of yeast, which often represents sin and corruption in the Bible. This festival served as a reminder that God’s people are called to live differently, set apart from the world around them.
The unleavened bread also teaches us about readiness and obedience. Just as the Israelites had to be ready to leave Egypt at a moment’s notice, God’s people today are called to be ready to follow His leading without delay. The festival highlights the need for ongoing reflection on God’s faithfulness and a commitment to live in a way that honors Him.
Literary Analysis
Numbers 28:17 is straightforward but packed with meaning, introducing the Feast of Unleavened Bread as a vital part of Israel’s worship calendar. The command to eat bread made without yeast is simple, yet it carries deep symbolism that speaks to the heart of Israel’s relationship with God. The verse’s placement, immediately following the instructions for the Passover, ties the two observances together, emphasizing their combined significance in Israel’s story.
The language of the verse reflects a command that is both practical and spiritual. The act of eating unleavened bread for seven days was not merely about following a rule but about engaging in a meaningful ritual that connected the people to their history and to God’s ongoing work in their lives. The repetition of this observance every year ensured that the lessons of the past would remain fresh and relevant.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Exodus 12:15-20 – Provides the initial command to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, detailing the importance of removing all yeast from the household.
- Leviticus 23:6-8 – Reaffirms the instructions for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, highlighting it as a sacred assembly and a time for special offerings.
- 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 – Paul uses the imagery of unleavened bread to encourage believers to live lives free from sin, connecting the Old Testament festival to Christian living.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For today’s Christian, Numbers 28:17 serves as a reminder to regularly reflect on God’s deliverance and to live in a way that honors that freedom. The Feast of Unleavened Bread challenges us to examine our lives, to remove what is impure, and to live with sincerity and truth. Just as the Israelites were called to rid their homes of yeast, we are called to rid our lives of anything that hinders our relationship with God.
This verse also encourages us to cultivate a lifestyle of readiness and obedience, being willing to follow God’s leading without hesitation. It’s about remembering where God has brought us from and living in light of His saving grace. The symbolism of the unleavened bread invites us to live differently, set apart for God’s purposes, and to continually celebrate His ongoing work in our lives.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
Numbers 28:17 reflects God’s love by instituting a time of remembrance that draws His people back to His acts of salvation. The Feast of Unleavened Bread was not just about following a rule; it was about engaging in a relationship with God that celebrated His deliverance. God’s command to observe this feast shows His desire for His people to never forget His faithfulness and to live in response to His love.
God’s love is also seen in how He uses tangible symbols like unleavened bread to teach profound spiritual truths. The festival was an opportunity for the Israelites to experience a physical reminder of God’s care and provision, reinforcing the reality of His presence in their daily lives. It’s a picture of a God who loves His people enough to continually call them back to Himself.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse connects to Jesus Christ, who is often associated with the imagery of unleavened bread. During the Last Supper, which was a Passover meal, Jesus took the unleavened bread and broke it, saying, “This is my body given for you” (Luke 22:19). Christ’s sinless life, represented by the unleavened bread, was given as a sacrifice for us, fulfilling the deeper meaning of the feast.
In 1 Corinthians 5:7-8, Paul connects the Feast of Unleavened Bread to Christian living, urging believers to “keep the Festival…with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” This passage shows that Jesus is our ultimate source of purity and that His sacrifice calls us to live lives free from the corruption of sin. Through Christ, the symbolism of the Feast of Unleavened Bread finds its full expression in a life dedicated to God’s holiness.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How can you regularly remember and celebrate God’s work of deliverance in your own life?
- In what ways does the symbolism of unleavened bread challenge you to live differently?
- How does recognizing Jesus as the fulfillment of the Feast of Unleavened Bread impact your view of His sacrifice?
- How can you make sure that your life reflects the readiness and purity that God desires?
This passage calls us to live in light of God’s deliverance, embracing a lifestyle that reflects His holiness and love. It challenges us to celebrate God’s faithfulness and to live with a heart fully devoted to His purposes, recognizing that through Christ, we have been set free to live for Him.