Not with Old Leaven

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.

1 Corinthians 5:8 (KJV)

Not with old leaven – Today is the last day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It’s a High Sabbath today, and I’d like to look back on this holy day in regards to leaven and yeast.

For those who agree that keeping the law is a good thing, or sing songs about keeping the commandments, or recite prayers about how good the commandments are, you might find it interesting to know that fasting from leaven for this whole week is one of those commandments (Exodus 12:15). In fact it’s such an important commandment that the result of eating leaven this week cuts you off from God’s people.

Just to clarify, this didn’t change with Yeshua.

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:18-19

Yeshua also states that every law should be kept in Matthew 23:23 where He calls those who do some commandments, but not others, hypocrites. That’s something we should keep in mind.

And further, we just read above from Paul an interesting comment. Even the Apostle Paul commanded to keep the feast without the old leaven. Ah, but he’s speaking spiritually, you might say. Well let’s look again. He seems to be simply stating that first we keep the feast without the old actual leaven… and furthermore without the spiritualized leaven of malice and wickedness. Do you see the word “neither” in that verse?

Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven [actual physical leaven or yeast], neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness [spiritual interpretation of leaven and yeast]; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

If you’d like a quick reference as to where Paul got this from, check Joshua 24:14. Joshua 24 is the history of Abraham through to the Exodus. It’s about Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And in it Joshua makes a reference to serving with sincerity and truth – the same words Paul uses!

And finally for a smaller sect of people that read this blog, take a look at MGR 1:32:7 and MGR 1:33:1-3. The author here, which many refer to as a leader, speaks plainly that this puffed up bread which we call Paska bread is from Satan himself. Yes, this Paska bread is purely a Russian Orthodox tradition and not inline with God’s law, Yeshua’s words, Paul’s practice, or MGR’s teachings. So think about what you’re doing while eating leaven during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Those who eat leaven are putting Russian Orthodox traditions (man-made traditions) above the law of God. Isn’t that condemned by Yeshua in Mark 7:8, 13?

Next, I’d like to appeal to the logic of those who eat only clean meats. We believe that the food laws of God are physical laws that should be obeyed. So we still practice eating only clean foods. Well for the week of Unleavened Bread, leaven and yeast is an unclean food. It’s pretty much like a pork product for this week. It’s forbidden to eat.

My last appeal is supported by the definition of sin.

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

1 John 3:4

Sin is simply breaking God’s law. The law says not to eat leaven that whole week. If we do, we’re sinning. There’s no way around it. If we continue to do so, we’re not repenting of our sin, but instead practicing lawlessness.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Matthew 7:22-23

The word “iniquity” above means lawlessness (those who don’t practice the law).

The Word of God is meant to cut us to the bone (Hebrews 4:12). But we can’t just change overnight. Keeping the law and aligning ourselves with His will is a life long process. It takes time, and growth. One of God’s greatest attributes is compassion. Growth in Him happens through study, so I encourage us all to research everything, ask a lot of questions, and hold fast to that which is true. Reach out to me and share your thoughts. I’m still learning and growing myself, and I’m sure to learn from you in the process.

There’s a lot here to think about. But it’s important to understand that spiritualizing the law doesn’t negate the physical obedience to it. We should strive to conform ourselves to Yeshua and His example. He kept the law perfectly, and was sinless because of it. We want to rid sin from our lives… this means we need to keep more of the law. If you’re keeping some already, great! Keep growing. If you have questions about how to do this, seek out those who are Torah observant and ask them for help. I know there are several within my own community. Seek these people out, ask them questions, but above all, commit yourself to the guidance of the Holy Spirit which was given us for this purpose.

And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Ezekiel 36:27

 

* This post was edited on 5/2018.