Filter by Categories
The Selfsame Day
Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God's precise control over time is evident in the use of the term "selfsame day," which marks significant anniversaries and events within His purpose. In Exodus 12:41 and 51, it is recorded that on the selfsame day, exactly 430 years from a prior event, the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt, emphasizing a specific, appointed date for this deliverance. This same precision is seen in Exodus 12:17, where the feast of Unleavened Bread is to be observed on the selfsame day that the LORD brought the armies of Israel out of Egypt, establishing it as a perpetual ordinance. Further, in Leviticus 23:14, the Wavesheaf offering is tied to the selfsame day, marking a statute to be observed throughout generations. Similarly, Leviticus 23:21 connects Pentecost to the selfsame day, designating it as a holy convocation with no servile work, to be kept forever as a reminder of significant past events. In Joshua 5:10-11, the children of Israel kept the Passover and ate unleavened cakes on the morrow after, on the selfsame day, exactly 40 years after leaving Egypt, highlighting an exactly-dated anniversary. The term "selfsame day" serves as a marker, a signal of God's faithful timing, indicating that there is often much more to an event than meets the eye. It underscores that He is in control of time, ensuring that His purposes are fulfilled precisely as appointed, across centuries and into eternity.
The Wavesheaf and the Selfsame Day
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe significance of the "selfsame day" emerges as a powerful marker of God's faithfulness to His promises, tying together pivotal events across centuries. Israel left Egypt on the exact anniversary of the covenant God made with Abraham, precisely 430 years later, right to the selfsame day, which is the 15th of Abib, the First Day of Unleavened Bread. This precise timing is highlighted in Exodus 12:41 and 12:51, where it is recorded that the LORD brought the children of Israel out of Egypt on this very day, underscoring the fulfillment of His covenant. Furthermore, the events in Joshua 5, occurring exactly 40 years to the selfsame day after the Exodus, mark Israel's entry into the Promised Land and their observance of the Night To Be Much Observed on the 15th of Abib. This term "selfsame day" draws attention to the Night To Be Much Observed, memorializing God's covenant with Abraham, Christ's sacrifice and entombment for our sins, Israel's release from physical bondage, and our release from spiritual bondage to this world.
The Very Same Day
Sermon by David C. GrabbeThe phrase "selfsame day," translated from the Hebrew word *esem* meaning "bone," carries profound significance in Scripture, appearing over 120 times, often as "bone," but in about a dozen instances as "same day" or "very same day." This term, when used for a specific day, marks it as a highly special occasion, an enduring memorial of something significant from the past. In Exodus 12:17, 41, and 51, the "selfsame day" refers to the first day of Unleavened Bread, specifically the Night to be Much Remembered, a holy time commemorating God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt and reflecting back on His covenant with Abram on the same calendar date, Abib 15. The concept of a bone fits here as the last enduring part of a body, testifying to what came before, making this day both significant in itself and a memorial of earlier divine acts. In Genesis 7, the first recorded "bone day" marks the day Noah and his family entered the ark, a momentous event of humanity's destruction and deliverance of a remnant, looking back to God's proclamation 120 years prior that mankind would remain for only 120 more years. This "selfsame day" serves as a memorial of God's precise timing and words from that earlier determination. Similarly, in Genesis 17, another "selfsame day" is emphasized twice, highlighting a significant moment in God's outworking with Abram, likely reflecting back to God's initial promise of land and descendants when Abram arrived in Canaan, confirmed on this day as a fulfillment of His earlier words. Leviticus 23 also identifies several of God's appointed times as "selfsame day." The Day of Atonement is underscored three times as such, emphasizing its importance, possibly looking back to the golden calf incident and God's relenting from harm to His people. The Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost, is called a "bone day," significant in its own right but also reflecting back to Wavesheaf day and potentially the sealing of the covenant at Sinai or the giving of the Law on the seventh Sabbath after leaving Egypt. Wavesheaf day itself is a "selfsame day," tied to the essence of harvest and reaping what one has sown, with its roots possibly in Isaac's first recorded sowing and reaping in the promised land in Genesis 26, marking God's intent for personal labor in the harvest. Finally, in Joshua 5:11-12, the "selfsame day" relates to the Israelites eating the produce of the land after 40 years of manna, a day of God's providence that looks back to the exact day in the second month when manna was first announced, ending on the same calendar date 40 years later. This enduring substance testifies to God's daily provision and testing of Israel over those four decades. Each of these "selfsame days" stands as a significant event while serving as a bone, a lasting memorial of God's earlier acts or promises, demonstrating His precise and faithful timing across history.
The First Day of Unleavened Bread (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe term "selfsame day" in Exodus 12:41 carries profound significance, used biblically in three distinct ways. First, it indicates an act or event occurring immediately, with no time lapse, showing that something happened right after another event. Second, it marks the beginning of a practice deserving special attention, highlighting its importance as God draws focus to a significant moment. Third, and most crucially, it combines marking the anniversary of an earlier event with emphasizing its importance, as seen in Exodus 12:40-41, where the events of Genesis 15 find a major fulfillment in Exodus 12 and 13. This usage underscores the precise timing of Israel's departure from Egypt, occurring exactly 430 years to the day after God entered into the covenant with Abraham, as recorded in Genesis 15. God's meticulous timing is evident, as this departure happened not only on the same day but at the very hour, demonstrating His watchful care over the fulfillment of His promises.
The Lesson of the Night to be Much Observed
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughThe same God who exercised vigilance and care over our forebears does so over us. Israel's leaving Egypt signifies maintaining the relationship with God.
Countdown to Pentecost 2001
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe phrase "selfsame day" in Joshua 5:11 carries profound significance, marking the precise alignment of historical events with God's promises. It highlights that the Israelites ate unleavened bread and parched grain on the day after Passover, during the Night To Be Much Observed, which begins the first day of Unleavened Bread on the 15th of Nisan. This timing corresponds exactly with earlier pivotal moments in Israel's history, such as their departure from Egypt and the covenant with Abraham, occurring 430 years prior to the selfsame day as noted in Exodus 12:41. These alignments underscore God's faithfulness to His covenant, connecting the events of Joshua 5:10-12 with Genesis 14-15, Exodus 12-13, and the crucifixion of Christ, all falling on these specific dates as a testament to divine precision and purpose.
Pentecost, Consistency, and Honesty
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn the context of the annual festivals, the significance of the "selfsame day" emerges as a precise marker of God's timing. As recorded, the Israelites came out of Egypt exactly 430 years after the covenant between God and Abraham was made, on the selfsame day. This exact timing underscores the divine precision in the observance of key events, aligning with the celebration of the night to be much observed on the first day of Unleavened Bread. On this night, immediately following the Passover as the sun set and the 15th day began, they ate of the old corn of the land, provisions harvested from the Canaanites, marking the beginning of the feast without waiting for daylight. This adherence to the selfsame day reflects God's meticulous orchestration of sacred time within the festival calendar.
Why Was Jesus Not Crucified as Passover Began? (Part Two)
'Ready Answer' by David C. GrabbeThe timing of Christ's crucifixion does not coincide with the Passover, but instead lines up with the covenant God made with Abraham, marking a major fulfillment.
Did Israel Offer the Wavesheaf in Joshua 5?
Article by David C. GrabbeFor decades, the church of God has struggled with counting Pentecost, especially in years when Passover falls on a Sabbath. Does Joshua 5 hold the key or not?
The Night to be Much Observed
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Night Much to be Observed is a memorial of the covenant with Abraham, and God's watchfulness in delivering ancient Israel as well as spiritual Israel.
How God Deals With Conscience (Part Three)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe have to learn to rely on God to get us out of strait and difficult situations, realizing that God may want to help us to develop a backbone and mature.