According to Deuteronomy 16:3, unleavened bread is the bread of affliction.
What affliction? Yahweh tells us this in Exodus 3:7:
“And Yahweh said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows.”
Stephen quoted this scripture in Acts 7:34:
“I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt.”
Yahweh had listened and now he was sending in the man he selected to provide relief for his people.
Yahweh does not ignore his people when they are afflicted. This understanding is very important to the development of our trust in him and the obedience that we choose to show him. Let us review some scriptures.
Psalm 22:24
For he has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him, but when he cried unto him, he heard.
Genesis 16:11
Yahweh hath heard my affliction.
Genesis 29:32
Yahweh has looked upon my affliction.
Genesis 31:42
Elohim hath seen my affliction.
Exodus 4:31
He had looked upon their affliction.
2 Samuel 1:11
Yahweh will look upon my affliction.
2 Kings 14:26
For Yahweh saw the affliction of Israel…
Psalms 9:13
Oh Yahweh, consider my trouble. (affliction)
Psalm 25:18
Look upon my affliction and my pain…
Psalm 31:7
For thou hast considered my trouble. (affliction)
Psalm 107:41
Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction and maketh him families like a flock.
Psalms 119:50
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
There are other relevant scriptures. These are sources of comfort and assurance that Yahweh neither slumbers nor sleeps.
The bread of affliction is especially relevant to the Jews’ Passover (John 2:13; 11: 55) given their history of affliction. As Yahweh acknowledged their affliction and he delivered them, he will do the same for his firstfruits.
Under the old covenant, unleavened bread was a representation of physical affliction suffered by the Israelites.
Under the new covenant, the unleavened bread has a new significance. Our focus is not on affliction but the fulfillment of a prophecy found in Psalms 16:10:
“For thou wilt not leave my soul (life) in hell; (grave) neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.”
What is meant here by corruption? Another word for corruption is decay. The first step to decay in the human body is fermentation. Leavened bread is produced by the fermentation of the yeast. By not using yeast in the making of dough one produces unleavened bread. By eating unleavened bread for seven days we are acknowledging that the prophecy in Psalms has been fulfilled. During this first week of the feast of weeks, Messiah’s body did not experience decay while he was in the tomb; a significant example of Yahweh’s power and reliability. Because he took care of the Messiah, the firstfruit, he will also take care of us.
The firstfruit is able to view the living bread in a different way. The bread of affliction is a natural phenomenon. Our understanding of what the absence of the leaven signifies is more of a spiritual understanding. This is consistent with what Paul tells us in first Corinthians 15:46: “Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.” The old covenant presents truth using examples common to the human experience. As an example, there is circumcision of the flesh, animal sacrifices, and a human priesthood. The new covenant expresses truth through spiritual examples such as circumcision of the heart, earnest (or down payment) of the Spirit, and the formation of the Spirit of Messiah.
Let us take a look at the concept of leaven. The conventional teaching is that leaven represents sin. However, there is no scripture to support this teaching.
When the Messiah addressed the issue of leaven with the disciples, they thought he was talking about bread. He quickly corrected their misunderstanding. This exchange is found in Matthew 16:11: “How is it that you do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that you should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees?”
This is a good time to introduce what Messiah taught us in Matthew 15:11:
“Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth man.” In Matthew 16:11 Messiah was talking about teachings and not bread. In this scripture he is not concerned about what you are eating but how you are thinking and therefore speaking. We as firstfruits, must be more concerned about what goes into our brain and less about what goes into our mouth. We are surrounded by false teachings. The Bible is a significant source of those teachings because of translator errors. Those errors are compounded by those who teach from those errors. We are called to be different.
As an example, let’s take a look at first Corinthians 5:8: “Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened (bread) of sincerity and truth.” There is actually no reference to bread. This is not what Paul said. The addition was made by a translator. This reference to bread is a corrupting influence. This is why Messiah was more concerned about doctrine or teachings than bread. During the feast of unleavened bread and the feast of weeks, we must be more concerned about getting rid of false teachings and taking in the pure teachings of Messiah.
Messiah also referred to leaven as a representation for the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 13:33) Leaven itself is neither good or bad. It can represent either one. Its meaning is based on what you are speaking about. There is no scripture that says leaven is sin. Messiah did recognize the power of leaven. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. (Galatians 5:9) Satan was discovered with iniquity and from that one being it spread throughout the angels and mankind. Leaven can be representative of good or evil.
As firstfruits we have to seek to become more like Messiah and less like our carnal nature. Eventually the down payment of the Spirit of Messiah will result in a new creature in the resurrection. A small amount of Messiah’s Spirit will have a powerful effect on us. But also a small amount of sin can grow and take over one’s nature. If you quench Messiah’s Spirit, the sin and our carnal nature will become supreme.
Something that contributes to the lack of understanding by the majority of the world is the fact that Messiah spoke in parables. This was prophesied in Psalm 78:2: “I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of all:” This prophecy is fulfilled in Matthew 13:34-35:
“All these things spoke Yahshua unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not to them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.”
Why did the Messiah choose to speak in parables? He provides this answer for us in Matthew 13:11: “Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.” Messiah spoke this to his disciples. He concealed the meaning of his words to the multitudes, those who were not called to understand them at that time.
Today, we find that he continues to speak in parables to the world. He reveals his truth only to those who are called as firstfruits. The firstfruits have the ability to understand things that have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
All who were baptized in the name of Yahwehshua and overcome to the end as firstfruits were chosen before the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 1:4) It was known at that time he would speak to the firstfruits in a certain manner. He often used bread as a subject of his parables. The world has not understood the true meaning of the bread he gave to his disciples on the night he was betrayed. They have not understood even the significance of the unleavened bread eaten for seven days during the first week of Shavuoth or feast of weeks. But we are called to know these things and must study to be approved.
The physical Israelites were given some understanding of the meaning of Passover and the days of unleavened bread. For them it is all about their experience in Egypt and their departure. But there is a more complete understanding that has been given to those the Father has called and given the down-payment of his Son’s Spirit.
This is why the apostle John called the night of the 15th of the first month, the Jews’ Passover. The firstfruits are more able to understand the significance of those days. But to truly understand the difference between these days under the old covenant versus under the new covenant, one must completely leave the old covenant and embrace the truth of the new covenant.
The bread Messiah gave the disciples on the night in which he was betrayed was leavened. We have previously discussed this. What should the use of unleavened bread for seven days signify for the firstfruits?
For those under the old covenant it is all about the Israelites escape from Egypt. Deuteronomy 16:3 taught us that the unleavened bread should be known as the bread of affliction. Yahweh heard their cries for help and to relieve their affliction he sent Moses to deliver them.
But there is a deeper meaning for the firstfruits concerning the consumption of unleavened bread during the seven days following Messiah’s death. There is a prophecy in Psalms 16:10 that enhances our understanding: “For thou wilt not leave my soul (life) in hell (grave): neither will thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” This verse is also quoted in Acts 2:7 and 13:35. Messiah did have to die, but it was prophesied that his body would not decay or experience any corruption.
Why is this prophecy revealed in the first week of the feast of weeks? It is a biological fact that leaven is a substance that produces fermentation. Fermentation is the first step in the putrefaction or decomposition of organic matter. Messiah said he was the bread of life. (John 6:48) Leavened bread is produced by the fermentation of leaven in the dough. When the leaven is removed, it is not able to ferment or decompose the bread. Since Messiah’s body was prophesied not to decay, then the choice of unleavened bread was a profound symbol of that fulfilled prophecy.
The Jews eat unleavened bread during those days as a reminder of the affliction their forefathers suffered. The firstfruits keep these days as a reminder that the prophecy about Messiah was fulfilled. This should also be a comfort for us because what Yahweh promises he does. He is faithful. This is important for all firstfruits to know and understand. We are basing our spiritual futures on truth revealed in Deuteronomy 29:20 and confirmed in Hebrews 1:4. As Deuteronomy 29:20 is true, so is Psalm 16: 10. As Hebrews 1:4 is true, so are Acts 2: 27 and 13:35.
Now, do we as firstfruits eat unleavened bread for seven days? Why not? We actually ate leavened bread on the night of the 14th. We should eat unleavened bread for seven days. Do we need to get rid of the leaven as do the Jews? That is not part of our understanding. The Jews believe they are putting sin out of their lives. They consider leaven to represent sin. We eat unleavened bread to acknowledge the lack of decay that Messiah’s body experienced. There is no need for us to chase down every bit of leaven. By consuming unleavened bread, we are confirming that we acknowledge that Yahweh was faithful.
The new covenant understanding that we have comes through the indwelling Spirit of Messiah and is very powerful. It opens our eyes to the many truths that are found in the Scriptures. Those without the Spirit of Messiah are blinded. As we embrace the new covenant and grow in grace and knowledge, more will be revealed. We have already written about the day of coverings, feast of tabernacles, the church versus the ecclesia, age-abiding versus eternal, hell versus the grave, and the fact that the name of Yahweh is hidden in most translations.
Is there even a deeper understanding to the days of unleavened bread then just the significance of Messiah’s body not experiencing corruption? Yes, of course. As we grow in grace and the knowledge and as the Spirit of Messiah matures within us we will learn more than we know now. But we first must break through the blindness of our carnal nature.
Our minds have been so polluted by the deceptions in the world. The Bible translations have corrupted our understanding. This is why we are so amazed at how few firstfruits will be in the resurrection when Messiah returns.
The mistranslated words, altered passages and the false teaching of the world’s religions are very distracting. We have what we know now only through the calling of the Father and the inspiration of Messiah’s Spirit.
The book, THE MESSIANIC FEAST, by T. Alex Tennent and the other reference works we have to better understand the Bible are a gift from Yahweh. He has given us the tools we have to lead us into a better understanding. However, we are expected to pray for truth and study to be approved. Consider carefully what we are told in Hebrews 5: 13-14: “For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belong to them that are of full age, even those who reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
The firstfruits must leave the milk of the old covenant and embrace the meat of the new covenant. YahwehShua is the mediator of the new covenant. (Hebrews 12:24) We must focus on going beyond the old covenant and seeking the deeper truths of the new. This is expected of us, it is not just an option.
The Bible is not the Scripture of Yahweh. It is a source of significant deception. The Bible translations promote false understanding and teachings. They introduce a powerful leaven that deceives the world. You must go to Yahweh for truth, be baptized in the name of YahwehShua and study like a Berean.
Consider these words found in Matthew 7:13-14: “Enter ye in at the strait gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth onto life, and few there be that find it.”
