Friday April 19: 14 Aviv

Today is the fourteenth day of Aviv, the preparation day for the Passover and it was on this day that two prominent events with similar themes are believed to have happened. First, it’s believed to be the day that Cain and Abel brought their sacrificial gifts as recorded in Genesis 4.

“And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.” (Genesis 4:3-5)

Considering what transpired just after this, it is entirely possible that this is the day that righteous Abel was slain. That possibility is very interesting because this is also the day when the first Passover lamb was slaughtered in Egypt. That event is recorded in Exodus 12:

“Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats. Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight. And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it. Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.” (Exodus 12:5-8)

For many years I have said that I believe we often misunderstand the meaning of “The Lord’s Passover.” God told Moses that the blood of the Passover Lamb would constitute a sign and, upon seeing that sign, God would pass over that household, sparing the first born from death. What many have mistakenly concluded is that, upon viewing the blood, God passed by that house. In reality, He passed over them as a hen would pass over her chicks and gather them under her wings, thus protecting them. It was the destroyer who was forced to pass by them because the Creator passed over them.

The significance of these two events, when coupled together, demonstrates to us the importance of the blameless Lamb, Yeshua the Messiah. As a prototype of the Messiah, Abel was slaughtered by those who were of the wicked one while the Pesach lamb was slaughtered that we might be delivered from the wicked one. So, as we prepare for Passover on this 14th day of Aviv, let us acknowledge that we are celebrating our deliverance which was purchased at a great price. Thus, we remember the night the Messiah sat down with His disciples on the eve of His death.

“And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.’ (Luke 22:19-20)

We extend to you wishes for a very peaceful and blessed Passover. Let us be full of remembrance and gratitude for all the Messiah has done for all of us.