Deuteronomy 16:1

Deuteronomy 16:1 says, Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.  Moses said that they were to observe the passover in the month of Abib.  Matthew Henry says this was the month of March or the beginning of April.  This was the month that God delivered them out of bondage in Egypt.  When we observe the Passover today, it is to commerate when Jesus died in our place.  Verse two adds, Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passover unto the LORD thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to place his name there.  Moses said that they were to sacrifice of their flock and herd in the place that God specified, a place where He had placed His name.  We today need to observe the Passover in a place where God has designated and placed His name, the place where we gather together to worship Him.  Verse three continues, Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.  Moses said that they were to eat unleavened bread for a week, and that leavened bread was not to even be allowed within their borders.  This was to remind them of the time when they came out of Egypt by the power of God.  Matthew Henry says that even though the Passover lasted all month, that the people were only required to eat the unleavened bread for a week.  We need to celebrate the Passover for what God did for the people of Israel, but more importantly what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross.  Verse four concludes, And there shall be no leavened bread seen with thee in all thy coast seven days; neither shall there any thing of the flesh, which thou sacrificedst the first day at even, remain all night until the morning.  As just discussed, there was to be no unleavened bread within their coasts, and none of the flesh of the sacrificial animals to remain over night.  Verse five states, Thou mayest not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee:  Verse six adds, But at the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt.  Moses once again told them that they could not sacrifice the Passover wherever they were, but were to sacrifice it where God had chosen to place His name as the place of worship.  We today should likewise observe the Passover in a place that God has chosen for us to gather together to worship Him.  Verse seven continues, And thou shalt roast and eat it in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose: and thou shalt turn in the morning, and go unto thy tents.  Moses said that they were to roast and eat the passover sacrifice in the place God designated and the next morning they eould be free to return to their tents.  After we gather together to observe the Passover today, we are free to return to our homes, and should have a renewed commitment to serve God faithfully.  Verse eight concludes. Six days thou shalt eat unleavened bread: and on the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly to the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work therein.  Moses said that they were to eat unleavened bread for six days, and the seventh day they to have a holy convocation, or assembly, unto the LORD.