24] Concerning the Sequence of Events as Recorded in Exodus 12    

The Word of God, the Bible teaches us that the evening occurs at the end of a day. Whether we are referring to the Hebrew word erev or the phrases ba erev or beyn ha arbayim, these all refer to the time of day, which is at the day’s end.

The Hebrew phrase beyn ha arbayim as used in Leviticus 23:5 and Exodus 12:6 explains to us the Passover Lamb was slain at the end of the 14^th day of the first month, prior to the commencement of the 15^th day of the first month.

By no stretch of the imagination does the term, beyn ha arbayim allow that the sacrifice would have taken place in the twilight at the beginning of the 14^th after the sunset of the 13^th.

By no stretch of the imagination can beyn ha arbayim ever mean two evenings, which occur, one at the beginning and the other at the end of a 24-hour period. If that were the case, God would have simply commanded Moses to sacrifice the lamb on the 14^th. There would have been no need to specify a time; God would not have needed to use any definitive or conditional phrase. If all that were required were a 24-hour period of time, God would have just said on the 14^th, period.

The time involved between the evenings was more like 2 to 3 hours in length, total - and always at the end of the day. This fact we have seen confirmed by Matthew.

As a result of understanding this vital truth, we can read the New Testament with the full assurance of knowing that Jesus did not eat the Exodus 12 Passover meal on the night He was betrayed. There is a significant, historical, and doctrinal reason why He did not.

Before we examine the New Testament narratives, let us confirm the logic revealed in the Old Testament, Exodus 12 Passover scenario.

By now, it is clearly understood when the (old) day ends and when a (new) day begins. Understanding that the day ends with the evening and a new day begins with the commencement of the night, let us read the Old Testament Passover account as recorded in Exodus 12.

The Passover lamb was killed on the 14^th of the first month, beyn ha arbayim. From that point in time, events took place, which are forever recorded in history. Exodus 12 narrates the sequence of events, the progression of time that began when the lambs were slain and ended when the Children of Israel left Egypt.

By reviewing this time sequence, we will clearly understand why the Intercontinental Church of God is true to the Scriptures when it teaches that the lambs were slain at the end of the 14^th and that the Children of Israel ate the Passover meal on the night of, the beginning of the 15^h day of the first month. The Children of Israel then left Egypt on the night of the 15^th.

Let us begin with Exodus 12:6-7 (KJV):  And you shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. And they shall take of the blood and strike it on the two side posts and the upper door post of the house, wherein they shall eat it.

After the lambs were slain (sacrificed) during beyn ha arbayim of the 14^th day, the blood of the lamb(s) was to be smeared on the top doorframe and the side door posts of the houses in which the children of Israel would be eating their Passover lamb meal.

As we observe during any evening of a day, we know that after the sun has completely set, the next event is the twilight. Twilight continues for anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes until the dark of the night commences.

When we consider the time element involved, the passage of time required, we can conclude that by the time the lambs were killed and their blood painted on the door posts and (continuing in sequence); by the time the lambs were prepared and then cooked, and then eaten during a meal, the light of the sun was completely gone, and it was dark outside, over the land of Egypt.

It was very easily “night,” when the Israelites were eating their Passover lamb.

Would the Scriptures corroborate the fact that it was dark/night when the Children of Israel were eating their Passover meal?

Let us continue the narrative, verses 8-10 (NIV):

"That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. Do not eat the meat raw or cooked in water, but roast it over the fire—head, legs and inner parts. Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it."

You are encouraged to read whichever Bible version you'd like. Let us read verse 8 from several other English version Bibles.

            “That night the flesh must be eaten....” (New Jerusalem Bible)

            “On that night they must eat the flesh roasted....” (Revised English Bible)

            “And they shall eat the flesh in that night...” (King James Version)

            “Then they shall eat the flesh on that night ...” (New King James Version)

We see that after the evening was complete, after the twilight of the 14^th was over, it was now "dark outside,” as the night commences and, as the Scriptures state; the lambs were to be eaten that night.

Notice too, that the lamb was to be eaten with unleavened bread (bread without yeast). On that night, unleavened bread is to be eaten as part of the "Passover" meal.

Now with regard to eating the Passover meal that night; Exodus 12:11, notice how the Israelites were to be poised. This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand, eat it in haste; it is the Lord’s Passover.

Let us review this verse from the following translations:

(New Revised Standard Version) This is how you shall eat it, your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly.

(New American Bible) This is how you are to eat it; with your loins girt, sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand, you shall eat it like those who are in flight.

(Revised English Bible) This is the way in which you are to eat it: have your belt fastened, sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand and you must eat it in urgent haste.

The idea expressed from what we read in this verse is that the children of Israel were not to go to bed that night. They were told to eat the meal quickly, wasting no time, and to be ready to move.

Their cloaks were to be tucked up, in order to be ready to walk. Their sandals placed on their feet, in order to be ready to walk. Their staff or walking sticks (used also to direct goats and lambs, the herd) were to be in their hand, in order to be ready to walk.

As we continue to read the narrative, we learn that God commanded Israel to be ready to walk out of town that night. Eat your meal and be ready to go. The term “in haste” will help us understand just how quickly and just when Israel “got out of town.” This meal was not a take your time, relaxing dinner.