(This post was originally published January, 2012. We hope it is a blessing to you this year, too.)

We are part way through the winter months and it is exciting to think that the spring feasts will soon be upon us. We are already making preparations for Passover this year. I would like to take this opportunity to point out some things that should be considered as we each prepare.

And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the statute of the Passover: no foreigner shall eat of it, but every slave that is bought for money may eat of it after you have circumcised him. No foreigner or hired servant may eat of it. It shall be eaten in one house; you shall not take any of the flesh outside the house, and you shall not break any of its bones. All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. If a stranger shall sojourn with you and would keep the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised. Then he may come near and keep it; he shall be as a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person shall eat of it. There shall be one law for the native and for the stranger who sojourns among you.”
(Exo 12:43-49)

No foreigners

YHVH is quite clear that Pesach, or Passover, is not for unbelievers. Why? Shouldn’t we be reaching out as a light to those around us? Absolutely! But Pesach is an intimate feast between YHVH and His children. It’s special and intimate. It’s a picture of the salvation we enter into through Yahshua our Messiah. It reminds us of the redemption of us, His firstborn. Sometimes, special events are just for family members, not for the whole neighborhood.

For example, the birth of my son Noah was a wonderful event. It was incredibly exciting, and I learned so much on a spiritual level. I even wrote about it on my blog so I could share with others. But only a select few were invited to such an intimate, private affair. Passover is a picture of our salvation, our birth into YHVH’s family. It’s a pretty intimate affair.

Even Yahshua kept the Passover with only his disciples. He looked forward to sharing that special time with them, but we don’t see a huge crowd. He shared with the crowd at other events.

I would encourage you each to find a way to share the teaching of Pesach with others. But save the actual event for those you are most intimate with, those that are fellow believers.

Circumcision required

Another command that is very explicit is the requirement that all males partaking in the Passover be circumcised. This is a continuation of the command that no foreigners partake. Those that are circumcised have entered into covenant with YHVH. They have joined themselves to Israel. They have been circumcised in the heart, and as with all of Torah, the inside is shown by obedience that can be seen on the outside.

I understand this commandment all too well, primarily because I disobeyed it.

When we were expecting our first child, I researched whether or not we should circumcise the baby if it were a boy. I swallowed the anti circ propaganda hook, line, and sinker. I was as anti circ as they come. When my third child, our first boy, was born, we did not have him circumcised.  When we began keeping Torah two years later, the question of circumcision came up. I refused to believe that it was required. We are now circumcised in the heart! We aren’t in the land! He is under the umbrella of his parents’ obedience! I thought up every loophole I could, and completely convinced myself that we were doing the right thing. My dear husband was so patient, and prayed that YHVH would change my heart.

And He did! My brothers and sisters, circumcision matters! YHVH always gives us physical pictures to illustrate the spiritual. Yes, we are circumcised in the heart, but we demonstrate that by the physical act of circumcision!

Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”
(Gen 17:14)

YHVH is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Circumcision is still a sign of the covenant. If a male in Israel is not circumcised, he is cut off from the covenant. I couldn’t bear the thought of my Isaac not being allowed to be part of Israel. I swallowed my pride and asked YHVH for forgiveness and in His wonderful mercy, He forgave me!

But true repentance requires action. So I made an appointment, and scheduled Isaac for surgery. He was four years old. Of course, we reap what we sow. I had to get up and take him to the hospital at 6:00 am in the middle of the winter, hold him while he cried because he couldn’t pee. I helped him bathe every day for over a week while we waited for it to heal. But praise YHVH! My son is part of the covenant and excited about praying to YHVH and returning to Israel someday. He eats the Passover each year without reservation. My younger sons, Elisha and Noah, were circumcised at a week old. What a blessing to do things His way!

Circumcision is a sign that we want to be part of YHVH’s covenant with Israel. It is required before we take part in the Passover. It matters! Please don’t be stubborn like I was.

Eaten in one house

Again, the Israelites were told to eat the Passover in their home. It was kept by each family as a very serious event. All around them, firstborn Egyptians were being killed. Each family huddled together, thankful that YHVH had provided a way for them to be delivered. As we keep the Passover with our families this year, we are to share with our children the wonderful truth that YHVH provided for our salvation through the death of His Son. We have been delivered only through Yahshua’s blood, shed on our behalf. What a special opportunity we have to teach our children how to enter YHVH’s family. This intimate, serious time is given to us to reach our children’s hearts. As we remember the plagues, the judgements on Egypt, and the amazing deliverance provided, we praise YHVH! As we explain the afikomen, the One who was pierced for us and rose again, we remember anew the cost of our salvation. As we sing “Diyanu” we are reminded that we have all we need. We are given hope as we say, “Next year in Yerushalayim!”

I pray that each of you have a wonderful, intimate precious time with your family and YHVH this year at Passover!  Be sure to share with others what YHVH has taught you, but make sure that this special event meets YHVH’s standards.

Practical Ideas

I feel that the most important part of Passover is teaching your children about our awesome Elohim, and the more hands-on, the better!

Podcast with Sharon from Heart of a Torah Woman, all about preparing our hearts and homes for Passover. Listen here

Exodus copywork printables to prepare us for Passover: month 1   month 2

Get my favorite flatbread recipe here.

Torah Sisters has a cookbook completely devoted to matzah.

Red Sea crossing diorama project

I have filled my Passover Pinterest board with ideas for you, everything from hand puppets to games. You can find them all here.
Follow Torah Family Living’s board Passover on Pinterest.

May YHVH bless you and keep you.

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