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Unleavened Bread and First Fruits

The Feasts of Unleavened Bread and First Fruits follow Passover. Unleavened Bread begins the day after Passover — the 15th day of the first lunar month of YHWH’s appointed calendar, and continues through the 21st day of the same month. The Feast of First Fruits occurs on the 16th day of the first lunar month.

UNLEAVENED BREAD: POINTS TO CONSIDER FROM THE “OLD TESTAMENT”

Reminder of the Exodus. The Israelites were reminded of the circumstances under which they left Egypt. The duration of the feast was seven days; over time, Unleavened Bread and Passover evolved into a single observance (as implied by Ezekiel 45:21) although YHWH describes them as distinct observances (Leviticus 23:4-8).

“Bread of Affliction.” The unleavened bread to be eaten is not only a reminder of the haste with which preparation for the departure from Egypt was made, but it also points to religious and moral purity. None of the sacrifices had leaven in them.

UNLEAVENED BREAD: POINTS TO CONSIDER FROM THE “NEW TESTAMENT”

Removal of Sin from Lifestyle. The feast typifies Yahushua’s provision for the removal of sin in the lives of believers. Comparisons are made by Paul (1 Corinthians 5:6-8) that have profound ethical implications for the Christian lifestyle.

Overcoming Sin in Daily Living. The focus of the feast is on Yahushua as Savior; it represents the work of the living, resurrected Messiah directly leading and assisting believers in overcoming sin (Hebrews 4:14-16; Matthew 5:48; 2 Peter 1:4).

FIRST FRUITS: POINTS TO CONSIDER FROM THE “OLD TESTAMENT”

Agricultural Harvest. The offering was to consecrate and inaugurate the spring grain harvest, which lasted seven weeks. The feast represents an expression of thanksgiving to divine generosity (Leviticus 23:9-14). A sheaf is to be presented by the priest to YHWH during the Tabernacle ritual.

Significance of the Sheaf of First Fruits. Scripture attaches special meaning to the offering of the first fruits or firstborn. Everything on the earth, Man and beast, was to be presented to YHWH as first fruits to Him (Exodus 13:2; Exodus 22:20; Leviticus 13:10-14; Exodus 34:22; Leviticus 23:17). The idea that the consecration of a part exercised a sanctifying influence on all, is applied in the Bible to the plan of salvation (Jeremiah 2:3; Hosea 9:10).

FIRST FRUITS: POINTS TO CONSIDER FROM THE “NEW TESTAMENT”

Messiah-Centered. The resurrection is the fulfillment of the wave-sheaf offering, the sacrificial act (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). Not only is Messiah to rise bodily from the grave, but the act of doing so fulfills the offering of first fruits (Leviticus 23:14; Luke 23:56; Luke 24:1). As the first sheaf was a pledge and assurance of the ingathering of the entire harvest, so the resurrection of Messiah is a pledge that all who put their trust in Him will be raised from the dead.

Renewing the Inner Being. The present privilege of believers is to receive the first fruits of YHWH’s spirit while the “resurrection harvest” is to come (Romans 8:23). The believer’s “inner being” is renewed daily by YHWH’s spirit (2 Corinthians 4:16; Galatians 5:22).

Resurrection of the Dead. The resurrection of the Redeemed at Messiah’s return is thus seen via the Feast of First Fruits (1 Thessalonians 4:14-16; Matthew 27:52; Revelation 14:4).

WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP AMONG PASSOVER, UNLEAVENED BREAD AND FIRST FRUITS?

These feasts represent three steps in YHWH’s plan of redemption:

1. Man’s acceptance of Messiah’s sacrifice for sin.
2. Giving freedom to repentant individuals from spiritual slavery.
3. Bringing the believers into the fold of YHWH’s chosen people.

THESE FEASTS SEEM TO BE AGRICULTURALLY– AND RITUALISTICALLY–BASED. ARE THEY REALLY “APPOINTED TIMES,” EVEN NOW?

Yes. The sacrificial aspects of these feasts’ observances have passed away, but their appointed times have not. This is because:

1. The feasts are described as permanent statutes. Leviticus 23:4, 14 describe these times as permanent appointed times; their seasons are permanently binding.
2. The feasts have not reached absolute fulfillment. The sacrifice and resurrection of Messiah have accomplished the first anti-type of the feasts’ meaning; prophetic fulfillment is yet to be done at His Second Coming.