Before pulling out the Passover provisions, a complete cleaning of the home is performed. Using a flashlight (or candle) and a feather, the cupboards are swept spotless in search of crumbs, also called chametz – bread and leavened products – meaning products made with yeast. In Ex 12:19, God instructed the Israelites that no yeast (leaven) is to be found in their homes, and they are not to eat anything with yeast for seven days as part of His decree for future generations. He commanded this BEFORE the exodus (Ex. 12:34), knowing that the Israelites would leave Egypt in haste, and the dough for the bread would be taken before yeast was added.
One Jewish commentary suggests that the “The simple ingredients of matzo – water and flour – as well as the flatness of the unleavened bread as opposed to the puffiness of leavened bread, symbolizes ‘poor man’s bread’ as well as ‘humility’ and ‘humbleness’, as opposed to the puffiness of one’s ego that characterizes a wealthy person as symbolized by leavened bread.” This is consistent with what the Jesus and Apostle Paul taught about yeast or leaven. Jesus mentioned the “yeast/leaven” of the Pharisees and of Herod referring to the sin of pride and hypocrisy. Paul called boasting “yeast” and drew the analogy that “a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough” meaning that just a little sin corrupts every area of life. (Gal. 5:9)
In Bible times, unleavened bread was similar to pita or other flatbreads. It’s uncertain how it developed its current appearance, like a cracker with pierced stripes. Jewish Christians believe that it is a testimony to the fulfillment of the messianic prophecy in Isaiah 53 –
and by his stripes we are healed.
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great post
data entry work from home
Thanks for sharing Susan.
Susan,
Wow – I’m still with amazement at the correlation between the bread and Jesus and how clear the prophecy is when you break it down….. I loved this blog….so very interesting.
Happy Easter to you and your family.
Thank you for your beautiful Cafe messages on the Passover & Holy Days at this special time of the year. We will be taking part in a Seder Saturday night and looking so forward to it. A happy, healthy holiday to all. Joy