Passover Puzzles: 3/23/13. Passover is here!

The ancient traditions are cradled in the arms of this rehearsal though many became entangled in the tapestry of the Harlots bed of Pagan rituals. Their exposure serves as a daunting challenge to the most ardent observers; However, there are those rehearsals we overlook minor festivals within the Festival intentionally embedded within the more articulated verses, that have lost their flavor and thus are taken for granted. All the while the intrigue of resuscitating them and placing them in their significant place in this the most important week in Creation history commands closer scrutiny, and thus, a deeper commitment to our obligation to search the scriptures The 10th of Aviv/Nissan: I. Ex. 12: 2, 3 set this date on our calendar. Innocuous though it may seem, it figures prominently in the chronology of prophetic events that shape the destiny of Messiah. On this 10th day the family lamb designated for slaughter is chosen and brought into the individual homes while the Lamb for the Nation is brought to the House of YHVH. Both are staked out to be examined for any blemish. At this same time, in preparation for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, each household is busied with the removal of any leavening Chametz - #2557, chametz, to cause to rise, a leavening agent. Ironically, it can also be translated as cruel, violence, bitterness, it is also used to describe vinegar to add an additional twist, and it can mean a bright, splendid color scarlet! Curiously, these same letters form the anagram #6780,

tsemach, a branch, one of the Messiah tittles. *Note how each is connected in
our extrapolated definition: The Righteous Branch will be cruelly blooded in order to purge the house of sin! 1 Cor. 11: 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of [that] bread, and drink of [that] cup The pattern here seems clear; before we bring the Lamb into this our Spiritual house we must understand it involves getting the SIN-leaven out! To intentionally allow leaven/sin in the house disqualifies ones participation in both the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This date (10th of Aviv) is also seen inconspicuously connected to circumcision: Abraham circumcises himself and his household on this date, Joshua circumcises those of Israel not marked during the wilderness before celebrating Pesach in the

Promised Land, and of course, once the lamb is staked out on this date, he is technically cut off circumcised from the living! (Is. 53:8 says Messiah was Cut Off, #1504, gazar, to cut off, divide. The root-stem is Gimmel-Resh, ger, a stranger, alien, one who is not part of the family. The Zayin in the middle represents a weapon, a sword or tool that cuts. How appropriate that Yahshua is cut off for those who become strangers to the Covenant because of sin). It also happens, on this date that Yahshua makes what is commonly referred to as: His Triumphant Entry. While this event is mentioned prophetically (Zech. 9: 9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he [is] just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass) it doesnt answer our questions concerning the lowliest Messenger of Torah, the one who carried THE WORD the simple donkey or common ass. One more thing, the number of Hebrew letters in the above verse is 77, which is the value of #1118, Bimhal, a son of circumcision. Is the donkey somehow related? This is one of several little, nagging puzzle pieces, fondly remembered yet never fully understood until now! Lets look at it then well get back to the 10th of Aviv. Donkey - Ass, #2543, chamowr, it is from the root of #2560, chamar, to boil, burn, foam, make red, to cover with bitumen (the ancient word for crude oil by the way). The two-letter root stem, Chet-Mem, means hot, it is the same root as Noahs sons name Ham, to inflame, incite with carnal passions associated with the flesh. Ancient near East records indicate this animal was often sacrificed as a Peace offering among Nations. Curiously, the donkey also has a unique place in Torah. How so? Well, Ex. 13 continues the instructions for Pesach and the Festival of Unleavened Bread and right in the middle (verses 12, 13) we see a unique Mitzvah called: Pidyon Peter Chamor Redemption of the Firstborn of an Ass. This is the ONLY unclean animal that has the status of Kadusha sanctity, a holy status prior to its redemption, which is the price of a Lamb. Whoa! Before you reject this remember when Abraham is going to offer Isaac and is traveling? The Ass is seen here as well! The Scriptures are replete with references to this lowly animal; yet, it is associated with royalty and according to ancient customs slaughtered to appease deity. In fact a King would ride a donkey or ass when approaching another ruler when he was petitioning for Peace! Zech. 9:10 confirms this and thus Yahshua fulfilled the Angelic declaration of Peace on Earth. Lets look a bit further:

Ex. 13:13 speaks of the firstling, #6363, peter, a firstling, that which separates or opens. It can also mean to set free, remove, to open. Immediately upon the mention of redeeming the ass, the mention of Pidyon haBen, the Firstborn Son Redemption is seen. It would seem then that the donkey represents the flesh and that, like Adam requires the slaughter of a Lamb Seh, #7716, lamb. According to Torah a firstborn male calf, kid, or lamb has kedusha, sanctity, that requires that we treat this animal as a korban, offering. The same can be said of every firstborn son. Ironically, this status of sanctity is somehow attached to the ass. It cannot be used or ridden until redeemed! Mk. 11:2. In Torah, the sanctity or kadosh status is transferred to the redeeming animal I.E. the Lamb. In the case of the ass, according to the Sages, because the ass is not a clean animal the kedusha or sanctity did not transfer to the lamb, thus the Lamb Was Not Esteemed! Is. 53: 3. As soon as the exchange is made though, the donkey can now be used-ridden! The donkey becomes the property of the Priest designated by the one who offered the Lamb in exchange. Thus, Yahshua, the High Priest is able to take possession of the Donkeyass which represents the Flesh, Body to do with as He wills! Jeremiah 22:19 adds further clarity: Here, Jehoiakim, (#3079, Yhowyaqiym, translated, YHVH will raise up - Yahshua?) is prophesied to be buried with the burial of an ASS drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem! *Look at the word here for Burial, #6900, qbuwrah, a grave, to bury. The root, Bet-Vav-Resh, means to explain, to declare, as expounding on puzzles, riddles. The Qof indicates the One who comes at the end, comes again. Does this sound like resurrection? Qabar, #6912, often refers to placing a body in a cave or stone sepulcher rather than the ground. Sound familiar? Back to the 10th of Aviv/Nissan. II. Yahshua enters Jerusalem on the Sabbath NOT PALM SUNDAY a Catholic myth! He is riding, traveling on the Redeemed donkey. Ironically, His own flesh would follow this same pattern. Though born of a woman, in the flesh of Adam therefore supposed not suitable for offering - like the donkey, Yahshua the Lamb is given as the value price in order to allow our bodies redemption. He enters Jerusalem to the shouts of the multitudes who are gathered there to witness the parade of the Nations Lamb before them to the temple. The Priests are gathered lining the sides of the streets along with the people who have Palm fronds to wave, which, when coupled with their shouts create a clamorous tumult! Mk. 11: 8 10. Here we see a two-fold Messianic declaration: Hosanna, which is a compound of #3467, , to save, be delivered and #4994, , I pray or beseech now. (Ps.

118:26) Next we see the mention of the Kingdom of David, this is the exact cry reserved for the sacrificial lamb being paraded by the High priests at the same time which created quite a stir. Hence the reason He is admonished to shut His disciples down so that they could raise a cry for the other lamb! Cleansing the Temple. Matthew makes it plain after His triumphant entry that Yahshua goes to the Temple (Matt. 21:12) and cleanses the Temple, effectively removing the leaven from His Fathers House in preparation for the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Here He quotes Is. 56: 7 where YHVHs House is called a house of Prayer. The Hebrew word for prayer here is: #8605, tphillah, prayer, intercession. It is from the root of #6419, palal, which means to intervene, to mediate or judge. This implication of prayer then is that of petitioning YHVH for mediation in our dispute with the enemy. However, if the house is filled with leaven/sin, Satan still has ownership/ access and thus we cannot be adjudicated righteous without the sin being judged first. This leaven removal prior to the Feast of Un-Leavened Bread foreshadows the 7-day, 7000yr. plan of YHVH to remove sin from His House. The events leading up to His execution also include a peculiar stop between Temple visits to curse a fig tree. Mark records this as peculiar (Mk. 11: 13) since the time for figs to be ripened was not yet. Why curse the tree? Remember Gen. 3 where Adam and Eve clothe themselves with the Fig Leaves representing the Carnal covering of our flesh? Then we see the Voice of YHVH who was walking in the Garden and His rejection which resulted in the fall requiring the slaughter of the Lamb? Lets look at Lk. 13: 6 9 A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then he said to the dresser of his vineyard, Behold these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down: why cumbers it the ground? And he answering said to him, Lord let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: and if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shall cut it down. This event occurs in the fall of the previous year prior to the Crucifixion and following the pattern, Yahshua finds no fruit within Israel only the fig leaves of carnality thus, He curses the tree resulting in the cutting down of the fig tree Israel 40 years later. Incidentally, Hosea 9: 10 speaks of this fig tree, #8384, t'en, figs. It can also mean #8385, to be in heat, a time of copulation, like that of

Israel compared to a wild donkey [Jer. 2:24] which reconnects us to the donkey above. Hosea reveals how Israel went to Baal-Peor, the deity associated with sexual debauchery tying us back to Gen. 3 and the sexual encounter with the Serpent. Yahshua pays the penalty for the Adulterous, backsliding Israel, typified in this wild donkey, in just a few more hours! The Scourging and Execution. III. How did Messiah suffer prior to His death? Are our traditions valid? Can what youve been taught regarding the Crucifixion sustain scholarly examination? Why the Jews dont except the churchs view of Jesus on the Cross. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, some scholars questioned the crucifixion story on a number of counts. Some have argued, for instance, that it was MORE COMMON in first-century Palestine for criminals to be executed by some other means -- stoning, burning, beheading or strangling -- and their bodies "hanged on a tree" as a WARNING to others. Other theologians have added that crucifixion was a Roman mode of execution and was not permitted in Jewish law. Current questions of an execution by crucifixion beg further answers. For instance, why did Yahshua die in just hours, when it was common for one to last up to 9 days on the Cross? What was His Crime? (Only one Jewish capitol crime) Blasphemy. What method of punishment? (Jews NEVER used Crucifixion). How could His death reconcile both the Lamb and Red Heifer Sacrifices? (Medical fact: Crucifixion is a relatively bloodless execution). Blood must be shed. Torah specifies that the blood of the sacrifice must be shed and applied at the place of its death. Scourging isnt the answer. LK. 23:20-23. The Greek word for punished is "paideuo," and it means "to train up a child, i.e. educate, or (by impl.) to DISCIPLINE (by punishment). Pais comes from the primary root "paio," meaning "to hit (as if by a single blow and LESS VIOLENTLY than #5180); spec. to sting (as a scorpion): - smite, strike." (See #3811, #3816 & #3817). The word "paideuo" in NO way denotes a severe scourging as is usually associated with crucifixion. The Old Testament indicates the same thing! In Isaiah 53:5 we read: "...The CHASTISEMENT for our peace [health, welfare] was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." The word "chastisement" here in the Hebrew means the same thing

as "punished" does in the Greek: "Muwcar, moo-sawr; from #3256; prop. Chastisement; fig. reproof, warning or instruction; also...correction, discipline...instruction, rebuke." (#4148). Is it possible we have misunderstood the Torah and thus misunderstood WHERE HEALING COMES FROM? Lets examine the word STRIPES. (Is. 53:5). Stripes, #2250. , chabbuwrah, to bruise, the Mark of Strokes on the Skin! The root stem, Chabar, #2266, is a verb meaning to join together, to unite, to heap up (words) a composition, a treatise [a methodical discussion of facts and principals involved and conclusions that are reached]. We look back at Ex. 33 and see Moshe looking at the FORM of YHVH / BACK PARTS Moshe sees the Torah Scroll with its strokes on its skin! The evidence suggests the scourging, although, not pleasant, was a picture of the LIVING TORAH being painfully written upon the SKIN of MESSIAH by the finger of YHVH! Ironically, this word is eerily similar to the word in Jer. 22: 19 for burial, qbuwrah. The difference is the letter Chet the fence, what is confined, contained. Since those subjected to scourging often died at the hands of the lictor, it was quite probable, that the Messiah was treated LESS SEVERELY since Pilate FULLY INTENDED TO SET HIM FREE. Scourging associated with Crucifixion took place at the execution site according to Roman rule. This incident did not. Roman records indicate a MILDER FORM of crucifixion was sometimes permitted. In this case the malefactor was allowed to FORGO THE USUAL SCOURGING at the execution site and, instead of dragging the furca, had to carry his own gallows. The transverse beam (patibulum) was loaded on the back of the one to be crucified, and sometimes he was already bound or nailed to the patibulum when starting out on his final journey. Other times, the malefactor was allowed to carry the patibulum FREELY on his back, and would be bound or NAILED to it when he ARRIVED at his destination BEFOREHAND for each particular execution. (See: Mommsen, op. cit., pp. 919, 983; Hentig, Die Strafe, Vol. I, p. 254; Scott, op. cit., pp. 169ff.; Berger, op. cit., q.v. " The vertical stake of the cross -- whether it is a TREE or an actual stake -was a PERMANENT FIXTURE at the crucifixion site, or (in the case of a stake) already installed Castigatio," p. 382; Seneca, Ad Marciam, 20, 3; Lactantius, 6, 17, 28; Plutarchus, De Sera Numinis Vindicta, 9; Plautus, Miles Gloriosus, 359.) The gospel records clearly show the Messiah was allowed the MILDER FORM of crucifixion, probably because Pilate wanted to be as lenient as possible -- especially after his wife's warning (Matt. 27:19); or maybe he realized only too well what awaited the Messiah at Golgotha. (Haim Cohn, The trial and death of Jesus).

A Jew and Gentile Redemption! Isaiah 52:14, 15 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for [that] which had not been told them shall they see; and [that] which they had not heard shall they consider IV. vs. 14 astonied, #8074 shamem, stunned, appalling, to cause horror. Visage #4758 mareh; sight, appearance. Visage and form, the front of the body. Marred #4893 mishchath, disfigurement (OF FACE). So shall he sprinkle? Alludes to the Red Heifer. The Sacrifice is killed at the East entrance to the temple (Mount of Olives) and sprinkled seven times on the ground with a hyssop brush. Potentially thousands of drops. Is this a contradiction? Crucifixion is relatively bloodless. He wasnt scourged where he was eventually killed. What then could constitute this sprinkling? The Rabbis didnt understand this rehearsal, even Solomon could not figure out how a Priest who was clean could exchange places with one who was unclean at the conclusion of this ceremony. So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for [that] which had not been told them shall they see; and [that] which they had not heard shall they consider. Told, Caphar. See, raah. Heard, Shema. Consider, Biyn. What had not been written, they would see, what they had not heard they would understand! Messiah would fulfill the RED HEIFER sacrifice for them! A. Isa. 53: 5-6. Wounded #2490 chalal, to pierce through (crucifixion) Bruised #1792 daka, to crush, shatter, not the bone because no bone of His could be broken, thus, His flesh is crushed, shattered. Stripes #2250 chabbuwrah, blows that cut in (scourging) Laid #6293 paga, to cause to land upon. Land upon what??? Upon the front of His body!!! B. Whatever crushed & shattered was caused to land upon Him! (No bone could be broken). Marred (Isa. 52:14 mishchath, from #7843 shachath, to be battered). Psalms 22: 16-17. I may tell all my bonesIsa. 50:6. I gave my backIt is evident

that rocks which were intentionally piled for execution by stoning were hurled with VENOM at the head and groin of Messiah to destroy the Kingdom and any future seed! C. Yahshua is STONED!! Matt. 26:63-66. John 19:7, Lev.24:16. This wasnt their first attempt. Jn.8:59, 10:31-33, 11:8. His time had not yet come. John 18: 30-32. Pilate allows the Jews to kill Yahshua according to their law and thus fulfill both Roman and Mosaic Law. Galatians 6:17, how could Paul have the same marks in his body as Yahshua? He wasnt crucified, but stoned. 2Cor. 11:25. Acts 14:19-20. Psalm 38:10, 69: 3 Jew and Gentile alike receive redemption! V. The Passover Seder. This is my body, which is broken for you. Jewish Talmud evidence? On the eve of Passover Yeshua the Nazarean WAS HANGED. For forty days before the execution took place, a herald went forth and cried, "He is going forth TO BE STONED because he has practiced sorcery and enticed Israel to apostasy. Anyone who can say anything in his favor let him come forward and plead on his behalf." But since nothing was brought forward in his favor HE WAS HANGED on the eve of Passover. -- Sanhedrin 43b. Incidentally, Matt. 26:34 becomes even plainer as the Pharisees looked for witnesses against Yahshua. There was always a young man who stood outside the Temple and announced the time of prayer, he was called the cock, and his announcement was called crowing. This practice was so common that even the Romans called their town crier the cock and his announcements crowing. This culminates with His appearance before Pilot who declares I find no fault in Him at the same time the National Lamb completes examination by the Priests. The purpose of scourging was to get Yahshua to admit some fault or imperfection, to admit to a sin! The word "hanged" in this instance does NOT refer to hanging by the neck, but to being "attached" or "transfixed" to a tree. This historical reference in the Talmud shows that the Jews were aware that Yahshua the Messiah was actually STONED WHILE HANGING on the tree of crucifixion. In the book Rabbinic Essays, by Jacob Z. Lauterback, we find FURTHER EVIDENCE our Messiah died as a result of stoning. Recalling a Jewish Baraita (Jewish teaching that was not codified when the first part of the Talmud was put together), the author states that the Messiah met his death BY STONING and NOT by crucifixion alone. After a long discussion on this subject, the Baraita says: "he [the Messiah] is going out TO BE STONED," followed by "they hanged him" (Pages 494-497). This early Jewish tradition

PLAINLY SHOWS that our Passover Lamb was indeed STONED TO DEATH while hanging on the "accursed tree." Mark notes what happened when the Messiah and the women arrived at the execution site: "Then they gave Him WINE MINGLED WITH MYRRH to drink, but He did not take it" (Mark 15:23). The "wine mingled with myrrh" was given to the condemned to deaden the pain, and was part of an old Jewish custom. From Luke we know that "there followed him a great company of people, AND OF WOMEN, which also bewailed and lamented him" (LK.23:27), and they would of a surety have followed him all the way to Golgotha. Combining both traditions [Luke 23:27 and Mark 15:23], it may, I think, be permissible to infer that it was the WOMEN ACCOMPANYING Yahshua on his way to execution, and attending him in his last hours on the cross, who BROUGHT THE WINE AND BEGGED HIM TO DRINK: it was an ancient Jewish custom that a condemned man, when led to the place of execution, had to be given a DRAFT OF WINE WITH INCENSE IN IT, "in order that he may lose his mind," that is, become unconscious; and it was "the dear women of Jerusalem who volunteered and brought the wine" and offered it to him [B Sanhedrin 43a]. This custom is told in the Talmud IN CONNECTION WITH CONVICTS ABOUT TO BE STONED..."the dear women of Jerusalem" saw to it that...a man ABOUT TO DIE BY STONING should be anesthetized against excess of pain...(The Trial and Death of Jesus, Haim Cohn) Thanks to Hope of Israel Ministries for many comments. In Psalm 69: 21 He is given gall, #7219, to drink. It is also translated here, as venom The Serpents Seed, again, fulfilling Gen. 3:15. He did indeed later drink vinegar without gall - the Cup of bitter waters, fulfilling His role as redeemer. Next Sabbath The Saga continues: When was Yahshua crucified, when did He arise? What specific festival within the Feast of Unleavened Bread did this occur on?