The Insights of Passover

Thanks to my darling son, I have been listening to some really cool “Podcasts” lately from some of our Jewish brothers. The insights I have gained from hearing their commentary, or point of view, on the Old Testament have been very enlightening.

The most recent one I listened to was by Ari Goldwag. His topic was a comparison of Passover with that of Sukkot, or the Feast of Tabernacles. I loved the insights he shared.

Passover is a sacred memorial celebration reminding us of the power by which Israel was saved. I have written about this topic before, and find the symbolism very beautiful. Passover is celebrated in the first month of the religious Hebrew calendar which is known as Nissan, beginning on the 15^th day and ending on the 22^nd day. This year, 2010, the Passover was celebrated on March 30 through April 6. For those of us who are members of the LDS Church, this time period holds great significance too. This year we were privileged to not only celebrate Easter during that time, but we had a chance to receive direction from our modern day prophets through our General Conference.

The first and last day of the seven day Passover celebration are considered the most holy days. As a whole, the Passover Feast celebrated on the first day of Passover, known as a Seder, is a reminder of how the Lord directed Moses in freeing the Children of Israel from the bondage of Egypt. The instructions for the feast are found in the book of Exodus in the Old Testament, wherein is found specific instructions for the sacrifice of the Pascal lamb. Goldwag discussed some of the other traditional teachings about these dates which I found quite fascinating too. It is believed by some Jewish scholars that the first day of Passover is the day that Sarah was told she would receive the gift of a child. It is also believed that one year later, it was the actual date of the birth of Isaac, who was also offered as a sacrifice by Abraham. Incidentally, the month of Nissan is thought to be the birthday month for all three great patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (I guess since it is my birthday month I find myself in great company! lol) The LDS understanding of the birth of Jesus Christ being April 6^th, places him in company with those who were a type and shadow for Him. Isn’t it appropriate that the organization of The Church also transpired on April 6^th too?

Another interesting traditional teaching is that the first day of Passover commemorates the day that Adam fell in the Garden of Eden, creating the need for an Atonement of some sort so that he could be restored to his former place with the Father. On the first day of Passover the Jews are told “not to eat” anything with leaven in it, likewise, Adam was told “not to eat” of the fruit on that day too. I believe the significance of remembering the fall is to acknowledge the need for a Savior, or Redeemer, to supply the demands of the law of justice. Both of these significant doctrinal teachings, the fall, by eating the Matzo or unleavened bread, and the Atonement, by partaking of the sacrifice of the lamb, are represented by what occurs on the first day of Passover.

Goldwag also explained that the last day of Passover, which is another holy day, is significant because that is the day that Moses parted the Red Sea, allowing the Children of Israel to pass through the waters into a new land. Although I have always felt this was representative of the ordinance of Baptism and the gift of rebirth, I have a feeling it also represents the ordinance of Resurrection and the new birth that provides too. I see the parting of the Red Sea in context with the veil of the Temple being rent, which occurred during that same physical time frame.

I have learned so many interesting things from studying the way the Jews worship. I believe that the spirit will testify of truth as it is presented from any source. I know that they have truths to be shared.

“The inquiry is frequently made of me, ‘Wherein do you differ from others in your religious views?’ In reality and essence we do not differ so far in our religious views, but that we could all drink into one principle of love. One of the grand fundamental principles of 'Mormonism’ is to receive truth, let it come from whence it may.” ( Joseph Smith, History of the Church 5:499)

Elijah and the Sealing Keys

For as long as I can remember I have pondered the question, “Why Elijah?” I have never really figured out why Elijah was chosen as the prophet to be the Elias to the coming of the Savior, Jesus Christ. I have wondered exactly why Elijah was given the responsibility of the keys of the Sealing power and the job of restoring them in the Kirtland Temple on April 3, 1836. Perhaps I will never really know for sure, but I have gained some insights through study that I would like to share.

The final vision that occurred in the Kirtland Temple was one that was anticipated from the very beginning of the restoration process. As early as September 21, 1823 the angel Moroni appeared to the prophet Joseph Smith and quoted the prophet Malachi who was referring to Elijah’s role in the latter days.

Joseph Smith History 1:38 And again, he quoted the fifth verse thus: Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

39 He also quoted the next verse differently: And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming.

This became the first recorded “official” revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants and is now found in Section 2 of that book. Placed only after the “Lord’s Preface” of the upcoming work, or Section 1, this revelation was a prophecy of landmark importance.

Jewish tradition also places an important emphasis on the prophet Elijah. An empty chair and a cup of wine are provided at each Passover celebration in anticipation of his return and he is known to them as the “angel of the covenant”. It is interesting to note that according to the actual Jewish calendar, Elijah did return when the Jews expected him to, during the Passover celebration, to the temple in Kirtland.

Doctrine and Covenants 110:13 After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us; for Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said:

14 Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi—testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come—

15 To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse—

16 Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors.

I love the label given to Elijah as “angel of the covenant”. The covenant that is being referenced is the New and Everlasting Covenant, or the renewal of the Abrahamic Covenant. I more fondly refer to this covenant as the PPL because of the blessings promised in consequence of obedience to the conditions set by the Lord, which are eternal PRIESTHOOD, endless POSTERITY, and a LAND inheritance. To me, this is a beautiful description of becoming like God.

Just like the experiences Abraham had, which were progressive in nature, we too can “walk with God” and become like him. I believe this progression is seen in a pattern of prophet, priest, and finally king, semblance of order. Obviously the pinnacle of progression is that of king and queen, where one is ruler of their own kingdom. The “kingly” status is congruent with that of Godly status, when given by one with authority, or one who holds the keys to “seal or bind” those blessings to the individuals. The ancient Egyptians had a similar thought process, in that Pharaoh, who was their king, was also considered a God. Unfortunately they were acting out of order, or without the proper authority to confer those blessings on the individual, but you get the picture. I believe Elijah was the one chosen to temporarily hold the keys which would seal the ordinances of this life, and allow them to continue, or to be in effect, into our next estate allowing for the realization of the promised blessings of royalty.

Elder James E Talmage spoke of this process, “The patriarchal order is a condition where woman shares with man the blessings of the Priesthood, where husband and wife minister, seeing and understanding alike, and cooperating to the full in the government of their family kingdom. A man cannot hold this priesthood without a wife, and a woman cannot share the blessings of this priesthood without a husband, sealed in the temple.”

The sealing keys that revealed the “fulness of the Melchizedek Priesthood” authorized the blessings attained in this life, the extended efficacy needed for the next life. They allowed for the fullness of temple covenants and ordinances to be performed, extending beyond the veil and linking the hearts of the children to their fathers who had gone on before. In this manner a “welding link” was placed in the long line, or chain of family, or royal birthright, through a priesthood line, linking back to Adam.

Elder McConkie wrote:

That same day (April 3, 1836) ‘Elias appeared, and committed the “dispensation of the gospel of Abraham,” meaning the great commission given to Abraham that he and his seed had a right to the priesthood, the gospel, and eternal life. Accordingly, Elias promised those upon whom these ancient promises were then renewed that in them and in their seed all generations should be blessed. (D&C 110:12-16.) Thus, through the joint ministry of Elijah, who brought the sealing power, and Elias, who restored the marriage discipline of Abraham, the way was prepared for the planting in the hearts of the children of the promises made to the fathers. (D&C 2:2.) These are the promises of eternal life through the priesthood and the gospel and celestial marriage.

But why Elijah...again I can only speculate... perhaps Elijah was the last prophet to preside during the Royal Davidic line, or worthy men who received the King/Priest status. Solomon was the last King who was also a priest, leaving an unrighteous posterity to rule in his place. Perhaps those keys to “Kingship” were then taken in a “chariot of fire” to be guarded until a rightful King/Priest would reign. This rightful heir would be Jesus Christ himself. These keys, rights, and powers would of necessity be bestowed once again on the Mount of Transfiguration. Once again Elijah has returned to herald the coming of the King/Priest who will rule and reign in glory this time. The one who made the realization of the blessings we have been promised, a possibility. I believe that this is the mission of Elijah. Our hearts have been turned.

The Lamb of God

To the people of the covenant, the Lord was very specific about how they were to offer sacrifices and celebrate His Holy Days. The reason they were commanded to be so precise in their worship was because all that they did pointed them in the direction of Jesus Christ. During the first Passover Feast the Children of Israel were saved from the last plague, pronounced by Pharaoh himself, of the death of the firstborn. This salvation came only because of the blood of the lamb, which was offered as a sacrifice.

Exodus 12: 7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.

13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

By this token of blood, the Children of Israel would remember the power by which they were saved.

There was also very specific instruction about the lamb that was to be used in the Passover feast.

According to Exodus 12:

• It was to be male.
• It had to be a firstborn sheep.
• The lamb was to be without blemish.
• It had to be slain on a specific day at a specific time.
• It had to be roasted with fire.
• It was to be killed without one broken bone.
• It was to be eaten with bitter herbs.
• It had to be totally consumed or burned, leaving nothing.

The lamb that was to be offered was a type and a shadow for the Lamb of God that would become the last and great sacrifice. In all ways the Children of Israel were taught of Jesus Christ and his ability to save because of the blood he would shed for them.

In what way do you think these specifications pointed to Jesus Christ?

Remembering The Passover

While I was watching the traditional Easter movie "The Ten Commandments" tonight, I was reminded of my very first post that I did on this Blog a year ago about the Passover. I love the symbolism of the Passover. I simply would like to share some insights once again because of the significance of the season.

The Children of Israel were instructed by the Lord in a ritualistic, memorialistic way what they must do to ultimately be saved by the “strong hand of God.” These directions came directly from Him to His living prophet at the time, Moses.

They were as follows:

1) They must participate in the Passover Feast. There were specific instructions given as to the specifications of the actual lamb that was to be sacrificed. They were told that they were to celebrate this feast as a “memorial throughout their generation.” A memorial is simply a reminder or something to jog your memory. This feast was to remind them of the power that was needed to save them. It was to point to the ultimate sacrifice, or the last great sacrifice, Jesus Christ. This Passover Feast was in remembrance of the Law of Sacrifice. It was to end with the death of Jesus Christ, when the times of the Jews would be ended and the beginning of the times of the gentiles would be started. Their generation would come to a close, no more need of the feast.

2) Simultaneously to be celebrated with the Feast of Passover, was the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The Lord required His children to remove all yeast, representing sin, from their midst, and partake of unleavened bread for seven days. This particular feast would be as an “ordinance for ever.” An ordinance is “a sacred rite or ceremony performed by the power of the priesthood and intended to bless God’s children.” Today we partake of this in a different way, the way shown to the disciples by Jesus during the Last Supper. We call this the ordinance of the sacrament. It is a reminder that we have covenanted to live The Law of the Gospel.

3) Because of the mercy the Lord showed in saving all of the firstborn of Israel, He instituted the requirement or Law of the Firstborn for all of His covenant children. This law required that each firstborn child would be consecrated to the Lord, as payment for His saving grace. He stated to Pharaoh emphatically that “Israel was His firstborn.” This means that ultimately this directive or Law of Consecration was the requirement for any who desired entrance into the “church of the firstborn.”

I am amazed at the beauty and simplicity with which the Lord teaches us these three important laws, The Law of Sacrifice, The Law of the Gospel, and The Law of Consecration. All these are required for entrance into His kingdom, reminding us continually that salvation and exaltation will only be given “by the strong hand of the Lord.”

Passover, The Feast of Unleavened Bread, and The Law of the Firstborn

Right now I have been studying the messages that the Lord has given to his children through the words in the Old Testament. I have found that there is profound wisdom to be learned from each and every word that is written upon those sacred pages.

In the book of Exodus, we come to know of the power that God has, and of his ability to save his children “by His strong hand.” This concept is taught to us through the “wonders” or plagues that Moses, His prophet, pronounces upon the Egyptians. A study of the plagues can bring us closer to understanding the wonder of the Lord himself, and learn of His power over all other gods that could become distractions in our lives today.

Presently I would like to focus a little on the tenth plague, or death of the firstborn, that was given by the Lord himself. In previous plagues the children of Israel were exempt from their harmful effects, but to realize the protection from this last one, they must now actively DO something to show their commitment. The instructions came directly from the Lord through Moses, His living prophet.

1) They must participate in the Passover Feast. There were specific instructions given as to the specifications of the actual lamb that was to be sacrificed. They were told that they were to celebrate this feast as a “memorial throughout their generation.” A memorial is simply a reminder or something to jog your memory. This feast was to remind them of the power that was needed to save them. It was to point to the ultimate sacrifice, or the last great sacrifice, Jesus Christ. This Passover Feast was in remembrance of the Law of Sacrifice. It was to end with the death of Jesus Christ, when the times of the Jews would be ended and the beginning of the times of the gentiles would be started. Their generation would come to a close, no more need of the feast.

2) Simultaneously to be celebrated with the Feast of Passover, was the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The Lord required His children to remove all yeast, representing sin, from their midst, and partake of unleavened bread for seven days. This particular feast would be as an “ordinance for ever.” An ordinance is “a sacred rite or ceremony performed by the power of the priesthood and intended to bless God’s children.” Today we partake of this in a different way, the way shown to the disciples by Jesus during the Last Supper. We call this the ordinance of the sacrament. It is a reminder that we have covenanted to live The Law of the Gospel.

3) Because of the mercy the Lord showed in saving all of the firstborn of Israel, He instituted the requirement or Law of the Firstborn for all of His covenant children. This law required that each firstborn child would be consecrated to the Lord, as payment for His saving grace. He stated to Pharaoh emphatically that “Israel was His firstborn.” This means that ultimately this directive or Law of Consecration was the requirement for any who desired entrance into the “church of the firstborn.”

I am amazed at the beauty and simplicity with which the Lord teaches us these three important laws, The Law of Sacrifice, The Law of the Gospel, and The Law of Consecration. All these are required for entrance into His kingdom, reminding us continually that salvation and exaltation will only be given “by the strong hand of the Lord.”