Today we begin Numbers Chapter 33.
For the Complete Jewish Bible, click here.
For the King James version, click here.
“They began their journey from Ram’ses in the first month. On the fifteenth day of the first month, the morning after the Pesach, the people of Isra’el left proudly in view of all the Egyptians; while the Egyptians were burying those among them whom Adonai had killed, all their firstborn; Adonai had also executed judgment on their gods.”-Numbers 33:3-4
Here in Numbers chapter 33, we get a nice little travelogue of the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness.
What’s great about this brief summary is that we’re given some enlightening details beyond the simple route they traveled to get to this point in time.
Take a look at verse 3 where it says the Israelites left Egypt on the 15th day of NISAN.
Here’s the thing.
Although in earlier passages of the Bible, we’re told that Israel left Egypt on Passover, technically speaking, that isn’t correct.
Because NISAN 15 ain’t Passover, it’s actually the 1st Day of the Feast of MATZAH (Unleavened Bread).
I mentioned this before but because the two feasts run consecutively together, over time Passover and MATZA became fused into one celebration either called just Passover or MATZAH.
Now some of you may be wondering why in the heck am I making such a big fuss about this?
The reason why I’m harping on this point so much is because it when we get into it, later on this will explain why so many scholars and church pastors get confused as all heck when it comes to understanding precisely when Yeshua was crucified.
So again, let’s get the following super crystal clear in our minds:
Per the Torah, Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) was a one day festival that occurs on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of NISAN.
And MATZAH or the Feast of Unleavened Bread was a seven-day festival that began the day AFTER Passover on the 15th of NISAN.
Got it?
Remember this point, ’cause it’s gonna be crucial to understanding exactly when Yeshua was crucified.
Now here’s two key pieces of info most folks overlook about Passover (and the Feast of Matzah).
1ST OVERLOOKED POINT: Although the PESACH Lamb was killed and it’s blood smeared on the doorposts of the Hebrews’ homes on the 14th of NISAN, the Passover lamb was not eaten until after dark.
Do you know what this means?
The Passover Lamb was actually NOT eaten on Passover day but on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread!
I remind you that a Biblical day begins once the sun sets.
Technically speaking, the Passover Lamb was eaten on the 15th of NISAN.
2ND OVERLOOKED POINT: HASHEM didn’t kill Egypt’s firstborn until midnight AFTER the Passover Lambs were slaughtered and roasted.
In other words, the Lord did NOT kill the Egyptian firstborns on Passover but on the 15th of NISAN (the start of the feast of MATZAH).
Finally, it was on the next morning while it was still Nisan 15th that the Israelites picked up and hightailed it out of Egypt.
Remember, the way the first Passover was performed in Egypt is different than the way it was performed afterwards.
Now that’s how it REALLLLLLY happened folks.
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