Exodus 23

Passover and unleavened bread

Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:) Exodus 23:15–18

The yearly feast of unleavened bread remembered the Passover deliverance, and the blood of Jehovah's sacrifice was to be kept free of leaven. Paul teaches that Christ is our Passover, sacrificed for us, so we keep the feast with sincerity and truth.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it · another scripture interprets it of Him · the chapter heading names Him

• a type of what is in 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 — Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast... with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
• a parallel account in Exodus 34:25 — The same law, naming it the sacrifice of the feast of the passover.

Firstfruits

And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field. Exodus 23:16–19

The first and best of the harvest was given to the Lord as a pledge of the harvest to come. Scripture calls the risen Christ the firstfruits of the Resurrection, the promise that all will rise.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a traditional type, cited

• a type of what is in 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 — Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
• a type of what is in 2 Nephi 2:8-9 — The Holy Messiah... that he may bring to pass the resurrection... he is the firstfruits unto God.

The Angel bearing His name

"My name is in him" — the messenger carries the divine name and authority

Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Exodus 23:20–23

Jehovah sends a guiding Angel who carries His very name and must be obeyed. Many read this as the premortal Christ, the 'angel of his presence' who saved Israel (Isaiah 63:9). It may also be a messenger acting in the Lord's name by divine investiture of authority, so the identity is not certain.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a traditional type, cited

• alluded to by Isaiah 63:9 — The angel of his presence saved them... and carried them all the days of old.
• the same title in Exodus 14:19 — The angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel.
• the same title in Exodus 32:34 — Behold, mine Angel shall go before thee.

Jehovah the Healer

And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. Exodus 23:25

Jehovah promises to bless daily bread and water and to take sickness away. Latter-day Saints see in this premortal Christ the same Healer who later took away sickness among the people in His mortal ministry.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4) · the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · another scripture interprets it of Him

• alludes to Exodus 15:26 — Echoes the earlier promise: I will put none of these diseases upon thee... for I am the LORD that healeth thee.