How does Paul apply the Old Testament leaven analogy to us today?
Paul applies the Old Testament leaven analogy by teaching that believers are to be a new lump, unleavened, since Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. We have been forgiven and cleansed, but if a little leaven remains in our individual lives or the church, it will expand and consume us.
Les explains that the analogy goes back to the Passover in Egypt, where the very next day began the seven days of unleavened bread. Israel was pictured as a nation whose sins had been atoned for or cleansed, and they pictured that with unleavened bread. Paul brings that same analogy into our teaching today: we must look at sin in our individual lives and in the life of the church, just like the leaven in the bread of Egypt. The point is, “That you may be a new lump as you are unleavened.” Being unleavened means we have been forgiven, cleansed, and are, so far as God is concerned, without sin. But if we leave a little bit of leaven in our life, it will not be long until it begins to expand and expand and consume us again. So even as Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Les also notes the doorposts—the two side posts and the top—outline the cross, which he believes is what God had in mind.
Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
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