Deuteronomy 16:1
Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, because in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night.
Observe the month of Abib
The word "observe" in Hebrew is "shamar," which means to keep, guard, or give heed. This implies a diligent and careful attention to the timing and significance of the month of Abib. Abib, later known as Nisan, is the first month of the Hebrew calendar, marking the beginning of the religious year. It is a time of renewal and new beginnings, symbolizing the liberation and new life that God provided for the Israelites. The command to observe this month underscores the importance of remembering and honoring God's deliverance.

and celebrate the Passover
The Hebrew word for "celebrate" is "asah," which means to do, make, or perform. This indicates an active participation in the Passover, a festival commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt. The Passover, or "Pesach" in Hebrew, involves specific rituals and a meal that includes unleavened bread and lamb, symbolizing the haste of the Israelites' departure and the sacrificial lamb whose blood marked their homes for protection. This celebration is a profound act of worship and gratitude, acknowledging God's mighty acts of salvation.

to the LORD your God
The phrase "to the LORD your God" emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and the Israelites. "LORD" is translated from "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God, highlighting His eternal and unchanging nature. The use of "your God" personalizes this relationship, reminding the Israelites of their unique identity as God's chosen people. This covenantal bond calls for exclusive devotion and worship, recognizing God's sovereignty and faithfulness.

because in the month of Abib
The repetition of "the month of Abib" reinforces its significance as the time of God's intervention in history. It serves as a reminder of the specific timing of God's deliverance, anchoring the Israelites' faith in historical reality. This historical anchoring is crucial for the Israelites' identity and faith, as it connects their present worship with God's past actions.

the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt
The phrase "brought you out" is derived from the Hebrew "yatsa," meaning to go out, come out, or lead out. This action signifies God's powerful and miraculous intervention in liberating the Israelites from bondage. Egypt, in this context, represents oppression and slavery, and God's deliverance is a central theme in the narrative of Israel's history. This act of liberation is foundational to the Israelites' understanding of God as their Redeemer and Savior.

by night
The detail "by night" highlights the urgency and divine orchestration of the Exodus. Nighttime, often associated with danger and uncertainty, becomes a backdrop for God's protective and guiding presence. This timing underscores the miraculous nature of the event, as God leads His people to freedom under the cover of darkness, demonstrating His sovereignty over all circumstances. The night of the Exodus becomes a symbol of hope and deliverance, reminding believers of God's ability to bring light into the darkest situations.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel who delivered His people from slavery in Egypt.

2. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, who were delivered from Egyptian bondage and commanded to observe the Passover.

3. Egypt
The land of bondage from which the Israelites were delivered, symbolizing sin and oppression.

4. Month of Abib (Nisan)
The first month of the Hebrew calendar, marking the beginning of the religious year and the time of the Passover.

5. Passover
A significant Jewish festival commemorating the LORD's deliverance of Israel from Egypt, marked by the sacrifice of a lamb and the eating of unleavened bread.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Remembrance
The command to observe the Passover serves as a reminder of God's deliverance and faithfulness. Christians are called to remember Christ's sacrifice, which delivers us from sin.

Obedience to God's Commands
Just as the Israelites were instructed to observe the Passover, believers are called to obey God's commands, recognizing His authority and sovereignty.

The Significance of Timing
The specific timing of the Passover in the month of Abib highlights God's perfect timing in His redemptive plan. Trust in God's timing is crucial for believers today.

Symbolism of the Passover Lamb
The Passover lamb foreshadows Christ, the Lamb of God, whose blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins. This connection deepens our understanding of salvation.

Community and Worship
The Passover was a communal event, emphasizing the importance of gathering together in worship and remembrance. Christians are encouraged to participate in communal worship and the Lord's Supper.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the observance of the Passover in Deuteronomy 16:1 relate to the concept of remembrance in the New Testament?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of obedience seen in the Israelites' observance of the Passover to our daily lives?

3. How does understanding the timing of the Passover enhance our appreciation of God's timing in our personal lives?

4. What parallels can we draw between the Passover lamb and Jesus Christ, and how does this deepen our understanding of His sacrifice?

5. How can we foster a sense of community and worship in our own faith practices, drawing inspiration from the communal aspect of the Passover celebration?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 12
Provides the original instructions for the Passover, detailing the events of the first Passover night and the significance of the lamb's blood.

Leviticus 23
Lists the appointed feasts of the LORD, including the Passover, and outlines their observance.

1 Corinthians 5
Paul refers to Christ as our Passover lamb, drawing a parallel between the Passover and Jesus' sacrificial death.

Luke 22
Describes Jesus' observance of the Passover with His disciples, instituting the Lord's Supper as a new covenant.
Conditions of WorshipJ. Parker, D. D.Deuteronomy 16:1-8
Jewish Commemorative FeastsE. White.Deuteronomy 16:1-8
The Passover a Memorial and a ProphecyD. Davies Deuteronomy 16:1-8
The Passover, a Memorial of DeliveranceR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 16:1-8
The Yearly FestivalsW. Roberts, M. A.Deuteronomy 16:1-8
The Yearly FestivalsWalter Roberts, M. A.Deuteronomy 16:1-8
Unleavened BreadS. A. Blackwood.Deuteronomy 16:1-8
The PassoverJ. Orr Deuteronomy 16:1-9
People
Levites, Moses
Places
Beth-baal-peor, Egypt
Topics
Abib, Celebrate, Egypt, Forth, Hast, Month, Note, Observe, Passover
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 16:1

     4951   month
     7021   church, OT anticipations
     8642   celebration
     8724   doubt, dealing with

Deuteronomy 16:1-2

     8315   orthodoxy, in OT

Deuteronomy 16:1-3

     5312   feasting
     8764   forgetting God

Deuteronomy 16:1-4

     4530   unleavened bread
     4554   yeast

Deuteronomy 16:1-6

     4945   history

Deuteronomy 16:1-8

     4438   eating
     4476   meals
     4478   meat
     7394   memorial
     7406   Passover
     8467   reminders

Library
The Age of the Apostles (Ad 33-100)
The beginning of the Christian Church is reckoned from the great day on which the Holy Ghost came down, according as our Lord had promised to His Apostles. At that time, "Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven," were gathered together at Jerusalem, to keep the Feast of Pentecost (or Feast of Weeks), which was one of the three holy seasons at which God required His people to appear before Him in the place which He had chosen (Deuteronomy xvi. 16). Many of these devout men there converted
J. C. Roberston—Sketches of Church History, from AD 33 to the Reformation

Whether Six Daughters are Fittingly Assigned to Gluttony?
Objection 1: It would seem that six daughters are unfittingly assigned to gluttony, to wit, "unseemly joy, scurrility, uncleanness, loquaciousness, and dullness of mind as regards the understanding." For unseemly joy results from every sin, according to Prov. 2:14, "Who are glad when they have done evil, and rejoice in most wicked things." Likewise dullness of mind is associated with every sin, according to Prov. 14:22, "They err that work evil." Therefore they are unfittingly reckoned to be daughters
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Pride Should be Reckoned a Capital vice?
Objection 1: It would seem that pride should be reckoned a capital vice, since Isidore [*Comment. in Deut. xvi] and Cassian [*De Inst. Caenob. v, 1: Collat. v, 2] number pride among the capital vices. Objection 2: Further, pride is apparently the same as vainglory, since both covet excellence. Now vainglory is reckoned a capital vice. Therefore pride also should be reckoned a capital vice. Objection 3: Further, Augustine says (De Virginit. xxxi) that "pride begets envy, nor is it ever without this
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Passing and the Permanent
'For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.'--ISAIAH liv, 10.-- There is something of music in the very sound of these words. The stately march of the grand English translation lends itself with wonderful beauty to the melody of Isaiah's words. But the thought that lies below them, sweeping as it does through the whole creation, and parting all things
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Obedience
Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments.' Deut 27: 9, 10. What is the duty which God requireth of man? Obedience to his revealed will. It is not enough to hear God's voice, but we must obey. Obedience is a part of the honour we owe to God. If then I be a Father, where is my honour?' Mal 1: 6. Obedience carries in it the life-blood of religion. Obey the voice of the Lord
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Second Commandment
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am o jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of then that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.' Exod 20: 4-6. I. Thou shalt not
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
BY A.E. GRIMKE. "Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not within thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place: but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this. And Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer:--and so will I go in unto the king,
Angelina Emily Grimke—An Appeal to the Christian Women of the South

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
Presented to the World in a Familiar Dialogue Between Mr. Wiseman and Mr. Attentive. By John Bunyan ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The life of Badman is a very interesting description, a true and lively portraiture, of the demoralized classes of the trading community in the reign of King Charles II; a subject which naturally led the author to use expressions familiar among such persons, but which are now either obsolete or considered as vulgar. In fact it is the only work proceeding from the prolific
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf.
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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