Abib (Barley) Biblical Leap Years
The Biblical year begins with the first New Moon after the barley in
Israel reaches the stage in its ripeness called Abib. The period
between one year and the next is either 12 or 13 lunar months. Because
of this, it is important to check the state of the Barley crops at the
end of the 12th month. If the barley is Abib at this time, then the
following New Moon is the "New Moon of the Abib". If the barley is
still immature, we must wait another month and then check the barley
again at the end of the 13th month. We have been most fortunate to
learn the understanding in which the Bible has to give on this subject.
Our count for the feast days is reflective of this understanding. If by
chance you have noticed that our feast days differ from other Jewish,
Israelite or Law keeping communities it is because of the method used
in observing new moons. Some may go by the new moon located in America.
We uderstand that we are to follow the new moon located in Jerusalem.
Isaiah2:3
And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the
mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will
teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion
shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Micah 4:2
And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the
mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will
teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall
go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Yet other communities follow the Metonic cycle, which is a systematic,
mathematical calculation of the new moons far in advance. Such
communities or groups are able to predicte (based on the metonic cycle)
God's feast days for the next 20 years. We have not so learned, but
have learned to follow Abib (green ears) which allows us to determine
the annual feast year by year. Also something to notice about the name
of the month itself, Abib was later given an actual name which is the
month Nisan. By convention, a 12-month year is referred to as a Regular
Year while a 13th month year is referred to as a Leap Year. This should
not be confused with Leap Years in the Gregorian (Christian) Calendar,
which involve the "intercalation" (addition) of a single day (Feb. 29).
In contrast, the Biblical Leap Year involves the intercalation of an
entire lunar month ("Thirteenth Month", also called "Adar Bet"). In
general, it can only be determined whether a year is a Leap Year a few
days before the end of the 12th Month. Is Abib mentioned in the Bible?
The historical account provided in Exodus relays a specific time to
memorialize the 'season' in which Israel, departed from Egypt.
(Ex 13:3-4)
3 And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came
out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand
the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread
be eaten.
4 This day came ye out in the month Abib (the month of green ears by definition).
Also notice the same message repeated in;
Deuteronomy
16:1-3: 1 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.
And last but not least, it is also stated in;
Exodus 23:14-16:
14 Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year
15 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:)
16 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.
What is Abib?
Abib
indicates a stage in the development of the barley crops. This is clear
from Ex 9:31-32 which describes the devastation caused by the plague of
hail: "And the flax and the barley were smitten, because the barley was
Abib. The seven annual Holy Days are annual Sabbaths. They are holy
convocations, or commanded assemblies, of God's people. These days are
holy because they are sanctified (set apart) by God. He commands His
people to assemble for worship and to learn about Him and His plan. His
command goes further than worship only; it includes fellowshipping and
rejoicing together (Leviticus 23:1-4; Deuteronomy 14:23-26; Nehemiah
8:1-12).
The New Testament also shows a
record which is without interruption of Gods people of observance of
these days by Jesus Christ and all of his followers. Jesus Christ
observed these festivals, and we as His followers are told to walk as
He walked (John 7:8-14; 1 John 2:6). After his death and resurrection
his followers also continued to keep the same commandments which were
given in Leviticus. The apostles and disciples of the early Church
continued to observe these festivals long after Jesus' death and
resurrection (Acts 18:21; 20:16; 27:9; 1 Corinthians 5:8). The apostle
Paul upholds their observance and presents them as continuing "shadows"
or outlines of the great events in God's plan of salvation that are yet
to be fulfilled (Colossians 2:16-17). He also instructed the
congregation in Corinth, "Let us keep the feast" (1 Corinthians 5:8).
As well he was found several times hasting to keep the annual feast.
Through
the observance of these feasts the Creator has revealed his plan to
redeem mankind. The Passover or Memorial of Christ Death teaches us
that Jesus Christ was sinless and, as the true Lamb of God, gave His
life so that the sins of humanity could be forgiven and the death
penalty removed (1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Peter 1:18-20; Romans 3:25). The
memorial is commemorated by the drinking of wine and eating of bread,
as well as the washing of feet. This is not observed as a Sabbath but
is the first festival of the year.
