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The Great Escape
CGG Weekly by Mike FordThe challenge of moving 2.5 million people out of Egypt in a mere five hours at night raises significant logistical concerns. The area of Goshen, where the Israelites resided, spans approximately 30 miles wide by 15 miles long, with the city of Rameses as a central point built by their labor. From Rameses, they journeyed toward Succoth, about 25 miles southeast, without modern conveniences, carrying baggage, the riches of Egypt, and herds of livestock. According to the proposed timeline, the earliest they could have received permission to leave after the Death Angel passed at midnight would be 1 am, allowing time for Pharaoh to send a messenger to Moses, and for Moses to inform the elders and the people. With sunrise around 6 am in spring, their window to depart Rameses at night was between 1 and 6 am. Organizing such a massive group in darkness, including children, the elderly, and the disabled, poses an immense challenge. Assuming a column a mile wide, the line of people would stretch at least ten miles to the rear, likely longer if narrower. A trained army marches at 2 to 2.5 miles per hour, but the Israelites, burdened by diverse groups and possessions, would be fortunate to average one mile per hour in the dark. Even at this pace, from the moment the first person stepped toward Succoth until the last crossed the starting point, more than ten hours would elapse, meaning the final departures from Rameses would occur well after sunrise. This timeline suggests that the concept of the entire group leaving Egypt in the middle of the night within five hours is not feasible.
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughConfusion over time of Passover, the wavesheaf offering, and Pentecost results from making assumptions unwarranted by clear scriptural evidence.
Head 'Em Up and Move 'Em Out!
Article by Mike FordWhen should we observe Passover - in the evening of Abib/Nisan 14 or 15? The logistics of Israel leaving Egypt prove we should keep Passover on the 14th.
The Night of God's Vigil
CGG Weekly by John W. RitenbaughIsrael was to keep the Night to Be Much Observed as a night of watching—of watchful vigil—to commemorate the reason they were able to leave Egypt so easily.
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.
Head 'Em Up and Move 'Em Out!
Sermonette by Mike FordCan 2½ million people (with livestock and possessions) move out of a location (Ramses in Goshen) in five hours?
The First Day of Unleavened Bread (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPassover takes place at twilight as the 14th of Abib begins. Unleavened Bread begins 24 hours later on the 15th of Abib. The Passover is a preparation day.
The Selfsame Day
Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The word 'selfsame' refers to a specific commemorative date. The selfsame day is a signal that God is faithfully in control of time over multiple centuries.
Passover (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe context of Deuteronomy 16:1-3 indicates the focus of these verses is on the Night to be Observed and the Days of Unleavened Bread rather than the Passover.
The First Day of Unleavened Bread (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe term 'selfsame day' refers to the covenant God made with Abraham 430 years before the Exodus, which occurred on the day after the Passover.
Passover (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe proponents of a 15th Passover discount clear scriptural details and instead speculate. One cannot build doctrines on implication, distortion, and traditions.
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.
Passover (Part Eight)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe temple Passover commanded by Hezekiah was a very unusual circumstance in which the king centralized worship to keep Baalism from defiling the Passover.
The Christian Walk (Part Two): In Light
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughTo His disciples, Christ admonishes us to follow the light, imitate (or do) the light, and become sons of the light; to not just reflect light but become it.