Leaven

[Chad]

The Leaven (Mt 13:33)

INTRODUCTION

1. Our previous study examined "The Parable Of The Mustard Seed" - Mt 13:31-32

a. Where the kingdom is depicted as having remarkable growth, despite humble beginnings
b. Perhaps the parable was told to reassure Jesus' disciples...
​

1) That their involvement in the kingdom would not be for naught
2) Especially after hearing two parables in which we see not all would receive the Word properly, and Satan's efforts to hinder growth of the kingdom would be noticeable
​

2. Another parable that seems to have the same purpose of reassurance now follows...

a. Found in Mt 13:33
b. This has become known as "The Parable Of The Leaven"
​

3. Immediately we can see similarities to "The Parable Of The Mustard Seed"

a. Both are quite brief, with no explanations by Jesus recorded
b. Both appear to be describing the remarkable spread of the kingdom of heaven
​

4. But some differences can be noted, so this parable is certainly worthy of careful consideration

[Let's begin, then, by noticing some...]

I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON "LEAVEN"

A. WHAT WAS "LEAVEN"?

1. A small portion of fermented dough used to ferment other dough (Holman Bible Dictionary)

2. Once inserted into a batch, it continues its process of fermentation until the whole batch has risen (Hendriksen, New Testament Commentary)

3. Today, we more likely use the term "yeast" instead of "leaven"

B. SYMBOLIC USES OF "LEAVEN"...

1. In the New Testament, "leaven" is often symbolic of corrupting influence

a. Jesus warned of "the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees", which included their teaching and hypocrisy - cf. Mt 16:5-12; Lk 12:1
b. Paul wrote of the danger of how "a little leaven leavens the whole lump", as he addressed the need to withdraw from the unpenitent brother - 1 Co 5:1-13
​

2. This has led some to conclude that "leaven" in the parable represents something evil

3. But there are several reasons why this is not likely true...

a. There is no reason why its use elsewhere must be the same here

1) A speaker or writer is certainly free to use a figure any way they wish, even differently in different situations
2) To read the use of the figure as found elsewhere into this passage is a form of "eisegesis"
​

a) That is, reading something into the passage not actually there

1. Though in this case one may not be reading their own preconceived ideas into the passage, as is commonly done
2. But reading the ideas of another Biblical context into this one is still a form of "eisegesis"
​

b) As opposed to "exegesis", which is to read out of a passage what it actually says or means, and should be the goal of proper Bible study
​

b. The last phrase would then suggest that the kingdom is destined to fail!

1) The "leaven" is to eventually fill the whole loaf!
2) If "leaven" represents corrupting influence, how discouraging!
​

c. The close proximity of the parable to "The Parable Of The Mustard Seed" would suggest similarities in meaning (cf.the two parables in Mt 13:44-46)
​

[Well, if Jesus does not mean to use "leaven" in this context as symbolical of corrupting influence, then what does He mean?]

II. THE MEANING OF THE PARABLE

A. THE KINGDOM'S GROWTH WILL BE PERVASIVE...

1. That is, having the quality to permeate, to spread or flow throughout the world

2. One suggestion is that the loaf represents the world, and the leaven is the kingdom

3. Thus the reign of heaven (God) will gradually make its influence felt in the world

4. This "reign of heaven" could be manifested:

a. In the form of the gospel (the "word" of the kingdom, Mt 13:19), as it is was proclaimed to all creation - cf. Mk 16:15-16
b. In the form of the church, which spreads as people accept the gospel
c. In the influence of the Word and the church, as their influence is felt in society
​

5. This parable may also illustrates the "invisible" growth of the kingdom

a. As leaven does it work with less than noticeable effect
b. So the spreading influence of the kingdom is often unnoticeable, but real nonetheless!
​

B. THE KINGDOM'S INFLUENCE WILL BE COMPLETE...

1. Speaking of the loaf, Jesus said "till it was all leavened"

2. No part of the "loaf" (world) will be untouched by the influence of the kingdom

3. That the gospel did indeed spread in this way was expressed by Paul in Ro 10:17-18; 16:25-26; Co 1:6,23

4. Of course, not all have obeyed the gospel - e.g., "The Parable Of The Four Soils"

a. While the "fragrance of His knowledge" is diffused in every place...
b. ...to some it is "an aroma of death" - cf. 2 Co 2:14-16
​

5. Yet, we still see the leavening influence of the Word and Christ's reign...

a. In the growth of the church
b. In the influence of the Word in society (cf. our judicial system, charitable organizations, etc.)
​

III. APPLICATION OF THE PARABLE

A. DON'T LOSE HEART...

1. Don't measure the growth or success of the kingdom solely by visible standards

2. As Jesus said to the Pharisees...

a. "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say 'See here!' or 'See there!'" - Lk 17:20-21a
b. "For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." - Lk 17:21b
​

3. The spread of the kingdom (the rule of God) is taking place wherever the "word of the kingdom" is being sown, and fruit
will be borne as it falls on "good and noble hearts"

4. Remain confident:

a. That what began as a mustard seed will become a great tree
b. That what started in one small portion of the loaf will eventually spread through the whole loaf
​

B. DO YOUR PART TO BE A LEAVENING INFLUENCE...

1. Allow the "leaven of the kingdom" to permeate your own heart and life

a. Take the Word of God into your own heart
b. Study and meditate upon it, and then seek to apply it!
​

2. Allow that Word to produce fruit in your life, so that you become an leavening influence for the kingdom of God!

a. By word, as you share the gospel of the kingdom with others
b. By deed, as you do good works that glorify God
c. For as leaven, we are also "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world" - cf. Mt 5:13-16
​

1) Designed to glorify God by our good works
2) And so influence our world for good as well!
​

CONCLUSION

1. With an understanding of these two parables ("The Mustard Seed" and "The Leaven"), we can take heart in knowing that the work of Christ in regards to His Kingdom will not be for naught

2. As we close this lesson, let me ask "What kind of leaven are you?"

a. This parable has been describing "leaven" as a positive force
b. But remember, "leaven" is also used to illustrate that which is harmful

1) The "leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy" - Lk 12:1
2) That which is a corrupting force, and needs to be purged - 1 Co 5:6-8
​

Will you allow the grace of God to make you to be the kind of "leaven" that can be used to His glory...?

 

[Lanolin]

Question about leaven..how can we tell which leaven is good and what leaven is harmful.

Is it like gluten...?

 

[Lanolin]

Or..yeast vs baking soda.
I know you do have to have fresh and active yeast but baking soda can keep for a long time without ever going off.

 

[B-A-C]

I think it depends on where the leaven comes from.

Either kingdom of God...
Matt 13:33; He spoke another parable to them, "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened."
Luke 13:21; "It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened."

.. or the kingdom of disobedience and self-righteousness.

Matt 16:6; And Jesus said to them, "Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
Mark 8:15; And He was giving orders to them, saying, "Watch out! Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod."

either way.. good or bad.. a little leaven can affect whatever it's embedded in.

1 Cor 5:6; Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough?
1 Cor 5:7; Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.
1 Cor 5:8; Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Gal 5:9; A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.

 

[complete]

@Chad
@Lanolin
@B-A-C

Hello there,

What matters is how the Holy Spirit uses the word, Leaven, isn't it? That is how we will know whether it is to be interpreted in a bad sense or a good sense. It's first occurrence in Exodus 12:15 is significant, for it marks it as something to be 'put away.'

The meaning of the word itself, is as has been said, 'sour, or fermenting dough.
'Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread;
even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses:
for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day,
that soul shall be cut off from Israel.'
(Exo 12:15)

* It is used of its work in permeating the whole of that with which it is mixed (Matt. 13:33; Luk. 13:21; 1 Cor. 5:6; Gal. 5:9; Hos.7:4)
* It is used of the bread which is made from the meal in which leaven has permeated (Exo. 12:15.19.20,34,39; Exo. 13:7)
* It is used in connection with sacrifices, as never to be offered to God with any offering made by fire (Lev. 2:11; 6:17; Lev. 10:12)
* It is used by figure of speech (metaphor) for doctrine (Matt. 16:12; Mar. 8:15; Luk. 12:1; Gal. 5:9)
* It is used of the effects of evildoers (1 Cor. 5:6-8; 15:33)
* In Lev. 23:17, it is used in that which symbolizes mankind, and in a proper sense of being corrupted. The sin-offering associated with the leaven in the two wave-loaves corresponds with this.
* In Amos 4:4,5, it is either the language or figure of Irony ; for, it shows that the 'thanksgiving with leaven' is symbolical of the sin, which is ever present even in the worshippers of God.
* So, in every instance it is associated with, and symbolical of, only that which is evil.

(Taken from notes in the margin of my Bible)

In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[Peter]

'Yeast' or leaven is ego-inflation.
humility/humbleness is unleaven, or ego-deflation.

 

[complete]

'Yeast' or leaven is ego-inflation.
humility/humbleness is unleaven, or ego-deflation.

Hello Peter,

With respect, that is not how the Holy Spirit applies it, is it? That is the product of your own understanding.

In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[Peter]

Hello Peter,

With respect, that is not how the Holy Spirit applies it, is it? That is the product of your own understanding.

In Christ Jesus
Chris

Ego / yeast is our old nature and is not from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit (Spirit of Truth) only responds to what is true. Our ego is not true. It is just a fabricated story, by the mind, to make sense of itself. Our mind knows it is just a story and not valid, that is why the ego-mind fears its truth of invalidity for it does not want to lose its own identity (lose its mind). That is why the ego is always seeking validity ("l know better; Listen to me; watch me; ain't I good;.....") It never ends.

Matthew 16:6-7
6. "Be careful," Jesus said to them. "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
7. They discussed this among themselves and said, "It is because we didn't bring any bread."

Matthew 16:11-12
11. How is it you don't understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
12. Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

 

[Hekuran]

Ego / yeast is our old nature and is not from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit (Spirit of Truth) only responds to what is true. Our ego is not true. It is just a fabricated story, by the mind, to make sense of itself. Our mind knows it is just a story and not valid, that is why the ego-mind fears its truth of invalidity for it does not want to lose its own identity (lose its mind). That is why the ego is always seeking validity ("l know better; Listen to me; watch me; ain't I good;.....") It never ends.

Matthew 16:6-7
6. "Be careful," Jesus said to them. "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
7. They discussed this among themselves and said, "It is because we didn't bring any bread."

Matthew 16:11-12
11. How is it you don't understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
12. Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Then how do you make sense of Jesus words in Matthew 13.33?

 

[Peter]

Then how do you make sense of Jesus words in Matthew 13.33?

In Jesus time they did not have a word for ego except for pride, vanity, and other descriptions of ego. However, leaven/yeast does describe infiltration and inflation, including ego-inflation. Self glorification is puffing oneself-up, as in 1 Corinthians 5:6 Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough?

In Matthew 13:33 He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough."
Is about taking the Truth and adding Truth into consciousness, spreading through all other parts of consciousness. Infiltration of Truth will glorify God.

Our old nature reference life from the ego-self and everything about life was seen from our own self-will perspective _ as in 1 Corinthians 5:6
Our new nature references life from Christ's Spirit (Truth) and everything about life is seen from God's-will perspective _ as in Matthew 13:33.

 

[Hitch]

@Chad
@Lanolin
@B-A-C

Hello there,

What matters is how the Holy Spirit uses the word, Leaven, isn't it? That is how we will know whether it is to be interpreted in a bad sense or a good sense. It's first occurrence in Exodus 12:15 is significant, for it marks it as something to be 'put away.'

The meaning of the word itself, is as has been said, 'sour, or fermenting dough.
'Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread;
even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses:
for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day,
that soul shall be cut off from Israel.'
(Exo 12:15)

* It is used of its work in permeating the whole of that with which it is mixed (Matt. 13:33; Luk. 13:21; 1 Cor. 5:6; Gal. 5:9; Hos.7:4)
* It is used of the bread which is made from the meal in which leaven has permeated (Exo. 12:15.19.20,34,39; Exo. 13:7)
* It is used in connection with sacrifices, as never to be offered to God with any offering made by fire (Lev. 2:11; 6:17; Lev. 10:12)
* It is used by figure of speech (metaphor) for doctrine (Matt. 16:12; Mar. 8:15; Luk. 12:1; Gal. 5:9)
* It is used of the effects of evildoers (1 Cor. 5:6-8; 15:33)
* In Lev. 23:17, it is used in that which symbolizes mankind, and in a proper sense of being corrupted. The sin-offering associated with the leaven in the two wave-loaves corresponds with this.
* In Amos 4:4,5, it is either the language or figure of Irony ; for, it shows that the 'thanksgiving with leaven' is symbolical of the sin, which is ever present even in the worshippers of God.
* So, in every instance it is associated with, and symbolical of, only that which is evil.

(Taken from notes in the margin of my Bible)

In Christ Jesus
Chris

* So, in every instance it is associated with, and symbolical of, only that which is evil.
'The kingdom of heaven is like EVIL '

Absolute nonsense.

 

[complete]

Complete says:-
Hello there,

What matters is how the Holy Spirit uses the word, Leaven, isn't it? That is how we will know whether it is to be interpreted in a bad sense or a good sense. It's first occurrence in Exodus 12:15 is significant, for it marks it as something to be 'put away.'

The meaning of the word itself, is as has been said, 'sour, or fermenting dough.
'Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread;
even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses:
for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day,
that soul shall be cut off from Israel.'
(Exo 12:15)

* It is used of its work in permeating the whole of that with which it is mixed (Matt. 13:33; Luk. 13:21; 1 Cor. 5:6; Gal. 5:9; Hos.7:4)
* It is used of the bread which is made from the meal in which leaven has permeated (Exo. 12:15.19.20,34,39; Exo. 13:7)
* It is used in connection with sacrifices, as never to be offered to God with any offering made by fire (Lev. 2:11; 6:17; Lev. 10:12)
* It is used by figure of speech (metaphor) for doctrine (Matt. 16:12; Mar. 8:15; Luk. 12:1; Gal. 5:9)
* It is used of the effects of evildoers (1 Cor. 5:6-8; 15:33)
* In Lev. 23:17, it is used in that which symbolizes mankind, and in a proper sense of being corrupted. The sin-offering associated with the leaven in the two wave-loaves corresponds with this.
* In Amos 4:4,5, it is either the language or figure of Irony ; for, it shows that the 'thanksgiving with leaven' is symbolical of the sin, which is ever present even in the worshippers of God.
* So, in every instance it is associated with, and symbolical of, only that which is evil.

(Taken from notes in the margin of my Bible)

In Christ Jesus
Chris

* So, in every instance it is associated with, and symbolical of, only that which is evil.
'The kingdom of heaven is like EVIL '

Absolute nonsense.

'Another parable spake He unto them;
The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven,
which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal,
till the whole was leavened (or corrupted) .'
(Mat 13:33)

Hello there, @Hitch,

I believe you must be referring to this verse (above), right?

In this verse we have 'leaven' which is sour dough, always used in a bad sense in Scripture, and 'meal' which is used in a good sense: therefore the common interpretation as to the Gospel's improving the world is the exact contrary of the leaven corrupting the whole of the meal. The same is true of the symbol of 'the woman', for it is used of evil in the moral or religious spheres (see Zechariah 5:7-8; Revelation 2:20; Revelation 17:1-4).

* The Lord Jesus Christ mentions three kinds of 'leaven', all of which were evil in their working:-

1) The leaven of the Pharisees = hypocrisy or formulism (Luke 12:1).
2) The leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees = evil doctrine or teaching (Matthew 16:11-12)
3) The leaven of Herod = political religion, or worldliness (Mark 8:15). Compare also Genesis 19:3, 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, Matthew 23:14, 16, 13-28.

* Like in the parable of the tares, an enemy is at work, bringing about corruption and hindering the outworking of the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Within the love of Christ our Saviour,
our Lord and Head.
Chris

Ref:- This was taken from the marginal notes in my Bible, except for the final sentence which is my own.

 

[complete]

'Another parable spake He unto them;
The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven,
which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal,
till the whole was leavened (or corrupted) .'
(Matthew 13:33)

'And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?
It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal,
till the whole was leavened.'
(Luke 13:20)

 

[Hitch]

'Another parable spake He unto them;
The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven,
which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal,
till the whole was leavened (or corrupted) .'
(Mat 13:33)

Hello there, @Hitch,

I believe you must be referring to this verse (above), right?

In this verse we have 'leaven' which is sour dough, always used in a bad sense in Scripture, and 'meal' which is used in a good sense: therefore the common interpretation as to the Gospel's improving the world is the exact contrary of the leaven corrupting the whole of the meal. The same is true of the symbol of 'the woman', for it is used of evil in the moral or religious spheres (see Zechariah 5:7-8; Revelation 2:20; Revelation 17:1-4).

* The Lord Jesus Christ mentions three kinds of 'leaven', all of which were evil in their working:-

1) The leaven of the Pharisees = hypocrisy or formulism (Luke 12:1).
2) The leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees = evil doctrine or teaching (Matthew 16:11-12)
3) The leaven of Herod = political religion, or worldliness (Mark 8:15). Compare also Genesis 19:3, 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, Matthew 23:14, 16, 13-28.

* Like in the parable of the tares, an enemy is at work, bringing about corruption and hindering the outworking of the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Within the love of Christ our Saviour,
our Lord and Head.
Chris

Ref:- This was taken from the marginal notes in my Bible, except for the final sentence which is my own.

Nothing evil may be used in a sacrifice,
And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.

It is more than presumptuous for you to declare as evil that which God has specifically written is good.

 

[Reba1]

@Chad
@Lanolin
@B-A-C

Hello there,

What matters is how the Holy Spirit uses the word, Leaven, isn't it? That is how we will know whether it is to be interpreted in a bad sense or a good sense. It's first occurrence in Exodus 12:15 is significant, for it marks it as something to be 'put away.'

The meaning of the word itself, is as has been said, 'sour, or fermenting dough.
'Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread;
even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses:
for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day,
that soul shall be cut off from Israel.'
(Exo 12:15)

* It is used of its work in permeating the whole of that with which it is mixed (Matt. 13:33; Luk. 13:21; 1 Cor. 5:6; Gal. 5:9; Hos.7:4)
* It is used of the bread which is made from the meal in which leaven has permeated (Exo. 12:15.19.20,34,39; Exo. 13:7)
* It is used in connection with sacrifices, as never to be offered to God with any offering made by fire (Lev. 2:11; 6:17; Lev. 10:12)
* It is used by figure of speech (metaphor) for doctrine (Matt. 16:12; Mar. 8:15; Luk. 12:1; Gal. 5:9)
* It is used of the effects of evildoers (1 Cor. 5:6-8; 15:33)
* In Lev. 23:17, it is used in that which symbolizes mankind, and in a proper sense of being corrupted. The sin-offering associated with the leaven in the two wave-loaves corresponds with this.
* In Amos 4:4,5, it is either the language or figure of Irony ; for, it shows that the 'thanksgiving with leaven' is symbolical of the sin, which is ever present even in the worshippers of God.
* So, in every instance it is associated with, and symbolical of, only that which is evil.

(Taken from notes in the margin of my Bible)

In Christ Jesus
Chris

(Taken from notes in the margin of my Bible)

What Bible are you reading?

 

[complete]

(Taken from notes in the margin of my Bible)

What Bible are you reading?

'And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea:
who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica,
in that they received the word with all readiness of mind,
and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.'
(Act 17:10-11)

Hello Reba1,

I am reading the KJV version, but it is called,' The Companion Bible', for it is accompanied by marginal notes and apprendices compiled by E.W. Bullinger before his death and finished by another. However with all that is written by man, it must be brought to the Scriptures for confirmation, as the Berean's were praised for in Acts 17:11

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[complete]

Nothing evil may be used in a sacrifice,
And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.

It is more than presumptuous for you to declare as evil that which God has specifically written is good.

'And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven,
and proclaim and publish the free offerings:
for this liketh you, (Divine irony)
O ye children of Israel,
saith the Lord GOD.'
(Amos 4:5)

Hello @Hitch,

The verse I have quoted (above) is the verse which you have referred to, and I suggest you look at the context: God was using irony in this verse, for the people were walking in their own counsels, and so God gave them up unto their own heart's lust. (Psalm 81:11-12)

* Only in relation to one sacrificial offering is leaven mentioned and that is found in Leviticus 23:16-17: it is the exception to the rule, because the antitype is not Christ but human-kind, and not therefore without sin.

' Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days;
and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.
Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals:
they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD.'
(Lev 23:16-17)

* Leaven is in all other cases forbidden:-

'No meat offering,
which ye shall bring unto the LORD,
shall be made with leaven:
for ye shall burn no leaven,
nor any honey,
in any offering of the LORD made by fire.
As for the oblation of the firstfruits,
ye shall offer them unto the LORD:
but they shall not be burnt on the altar for a sweet savour.'
(Lev 2:11-12)

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[Hitch]

'And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven,
and proclaim and publish the free offerings:
for this liketh you, (Divine irony)
O ye children of Israel,
saith the Lord GOD.'
(Amos 4:5)

Hello @Hitch,

The verse I have quoted (above) is the verse which you have referred to, and I suggest you look at the context: God was using irony in this verse, for the people were walking in their own counsels, and so God gave them up unto their own heart's lust. (Psalm 81:11-12)

* Only in relation to one sacrificial offering is leaven mentioned and that is found in Leviticus 23:16-17: it is the exception to the rule, because the antitype is not Christ but human-kind, and not therefore without sin.

' Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days;
and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.
Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals:
they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD.'
(Lev 23:16-17)

* Leaven is in all other cases forbidden:-

'No meat offering,
which ye shall bring unto the LORD,
shall be made with leaven:
for ye shall burn no leaven,
nor any honey,
in any offering of the LORD made by fire.
As for the oblation of the firstfruits,
ye shall offer them unto the LORD:
but they shall not be burnt on the altar for a sweet savour.'
(Lev 2:11-12)

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

Like I said nothing evil may be used in sacrifice.

 

[Reba1]

Mans theology once again trumps Scripture . The margins say this ...

* So, in every instance it is associated with, and symbolical of, only that which is evil.

Jesus said this
Mat 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

What i am reading from @complete understanding is every time Jesus said things like:
Mat_5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Was Jesus saying the poor are evil?
Mat_5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of evil ?
Mat_6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Did Jesus pray for evil to come?

Mat_8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. So are Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, setting in a kingdom of evil?

Luk_12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

So many well meaning people today refuse to grasp how much difference the Birth, Death and Resurrection of The Christ makes in God's history. Christ is/was the perfect Sacrifice .

 

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Mans theology once again trumps Scripture . The margins say this ...

Jesus said this
Mat 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

What i am reading from @complete understanding is every time Jesus said things like:
Mat_5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Was Jesus saying the poor are evil?
Mat_5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of evil ?
Mat_6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Did Jesus pray for evil to come?

Mat_8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. So are Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, setting in a kingdom of evil?

Luk_12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

So many well meaning people today refuse to grasp how much difference the Birth, Death and Resurrection of The Christ makes in God's history. Christ is/was the perfect Sacrifice .

Hello @reba,

Thank you for your input. I agree with you Christ was indeed the perfect Sacrifice for sin.

* It is the word 'leaven' which is used in Scripture to represent something that is evil, the following are all it's usages in Scripture:-

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'Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses:
for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.' (Exo_12:15)

'Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened,
even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.' (Exo_12:19)

'Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee,
neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters.' (Exo_13:7)

'Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leaven;
neither shall the sacrifice of the feast of the passover be left unto the morning.' (Exo_34:25)

'No meat offering, which ye shall bring unto the LORD, shall be made with leaven: for ye shall burn no leaven, nor any honey,
in any offering of the LORD made by fire.' (Lev_2:11)

'It shall not be baken with leaven. I have given it unto them for their portion of my offerings made by fire;
it is most holy, as is the sin offering, and as the trespass offering.' (Lev_6:17)

'And Moses spake unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons that were left,
Take the meat offering that remaineth of the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and eat it without leaven beside the altar: for it is most holy:' (Lev_10:12)

'Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven,
which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. (Mat_13:33)

'Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.' (Mat_16:6)

'How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread,
that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? (Mat_16:11)

'Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread,
but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.' (Mat_16:12)

'And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.' (Mar_8:15)

'In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another,
he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. (Luk_12:1 )

' It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.' (Luk_13:21)

'Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness;
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. ' (1Co_5:6-8)

'A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.' (Gal_5:9)

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* The only seeming exceptions being Levitucus 12:17 and Amos 4:5, though they are not in fact exceptions for leaven is still representative of evil. The first is a sacrifice made with leaven, for it is representative of mankind which is not without sin, and is not representative of Christ, who had no sin. The second from Amos is an example of Divine irony, for Israel is walking after it's own way, and God gives them up to it:-

Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour;
they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD.' (Lev_23:17)

'And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish the free offerings:
for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.' (Amo_4:5)

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Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris