Guarding The Matzah

"And you shall safeguard the matzot." (Ex 12:17)

The Israelites in Egypt were commanded to bake matzahs (unleavened bread) and eat it in a hurry and with readiness. To "safeguard the matzot" meant to be careful to do it correctly, lest any delay or moisture would cause the dough to become leavened. When it is prepared quickly it is matzah, (unleavened) but if it is delayed it becomes regular bread. (leavend)

The same applies to the commandments - delayed obedience is the same as leaven. The Bible equates leaven with sin. The Israelites in Egypt were in such a state of spiritual decline that even a slight delay might have rendered their redemption impossible. Hence the call to "Guard yourself" and not become leavened, but rather, to allow YHVH to do the work of taking you out of bondage.

"Purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Messiah, our Passover, was sacrificed for us." (I Cor 5:7)

Additional Lessons For Passover

Jewish Holidays

The Feasts Of YHVH

Aviv Barley

Passover - A Spiritual Journey

Passover And The Number Four

Passover And The Number Seven

Second Passover - Second Chance

Counting The Omer - Jewish Thanksgiving