The First Day of Unleavened Bread commemorates the day the children of Israel made their great exodus out of Egypt.  This was a grand and miraculous exodus led by the One True Elohim!!  As they journeyed they ended up at Mount Sinai where the teachings and instructions, called the law in most of our English Bibles, would be given.  After YHVH spoke the words in the hearing of the people, it says in Exodus 20:18-21, “18 All the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance. 19 Then they said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not Elohim speak to us, or we will die.” 20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for Elohim has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.” 21 So the people stood at a distance, while Moses approached the thick cloud where Elohim was.” On one hand, we read, “Do not be afraid” and then Moses says that Elohim has come in order that the “FEAR of Him may remain”.  So is it to be afraid or not to be? Yes!!! It is the same Hebrew word, though one is in the feminine use.  As we’ve mentioned before about the Hebrew word yirah, it has multiple meanings.  So the first afraid used in Exodus 20:20 has the idea of being frightened, dread, and terrible as to make one tremble.  This we do not need to have about our Elohim!! This is how the pagans were with their gods…they were frightened of them.  However, we are to fear YHVH meaning to reverence Him, be in awe of.  This, we are to ALWAYS have!!!  In fact, verse 20 implies that if we have a proper Fear of YHVH we won’t sin.  That makes sense as one would truly have to cast off all reverence for Him and neglect this knowledge to willfully sin. However, if we do practice sin, we need to be frightened because sin not repented of brings recompense and separates us from our heavenly Father and our Savior.

Deuteronomy 4:9-10 says, “9 Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons. 10 “Remember the day you stood before YHVH your Elohim at Horeb, when YHVH said to me, ‘Assemble the people to Me, that I may let them hear My words so they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.’” We are a privileged people to be allowed to “hear” the Words of our Creator!!! He lets us because He wants us!!!  He wants us to understand what it takes to come and dwell in His presence…it truly is a proper Fear of Him!! This is a process that we need to continue growing in, and as we do, we are to teach our children and grandchildren. 

May we pass the test and have reverence!!!

May we have a joyful Shabbat!!

Courtesy of
River of Life Tabernacle
Tammy McLendon
Great peace have they who love Your law. Psalm 119:165a