The Secret Cup of Passover

Passover and spring are upon us. If you are like me, then you are anticipating the newness of life as the warmer weather brings a renewal of life to the trees, plants, and green grass. It is also the time of year to renewal of the story of Redemption. It is no wonder that God commanded us to keep the Passover in the spring, and that He used the Passover to give us the resurrection of the Messiah.

Passover and spring are upon us. If you are like me, then you are anticipating the newness of life as the warmer weather brings a renewal of life to the trees, plants, and green grass. It is also the time of year to renewal of the story of Redemption. It is no wonder that God commanded us to keep the Passover in the spring, and that He used the Passover to give us the resurrection of the Messiah.

The Lord commanded us to observe and keep a memorial of our deliverance from Egypt. I say "our" because we are to see ourselves as being the very people who were delivered out of Egypt. This personalization of placing ourselves in Egypt at the Passover causes us to prepare for the festival differently from all other kinds of feasts.

God's instructions to Moses for us to keep the Passover begins in Exodus 6, before the first judgment hit Egypt. When Moses complained that God had not delivered the people, God explained to Moses what He would do. His answer is the fundamental architecture of our observance of the Passover to this day.

Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, "I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage. I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. Then I will take you for My people, and I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. Exodus 6:6-7

God stated four specific things that He would do. 1) I will bring you out; 2) I will deliver you; 3) I will redeem you; and 4) I will take you for My people. The result would be that God would be our God, and we would know that He brought us out of Egypt.

This is the beginning instruction for our observance of Passover. The order of these instructions form what is called today a siddur (order) for the Passover. The siddur leads us through the ceremony of drinking four cups of wine at Passover. These cups of Passover have specific names and represent God's answer. The first cup is called “Sanctification” (separation)—I will bring you out. The second cup is called “Instruction” (telling the story)—I will deliver you. The third cup is called “Redemption” (freedom)—I will redeem you. The fourth cup is called “Praise” (rejoicing)—I will take you for My people. The first two cups are consumed before the meal and the last two are consumed afterwards.

However, there is always an exception to everything. Passover has its own exception with the four cups. There is a fifth cup, which is after the third cup of Redemption and before the fourth cup of Praise. It is called “Elijah's Cup.” However, only Elijah, or the father leading the Passover, consumes this cup. There is nothing secretive about the cup of Elijah, so that is not the reason for this article or its title. Elijah's cup is set at Passover anticipating the future redemption of Israel.

Elijah's cup is used in the Passover because of the prophecy of Malachi. Elijah is expected to usher in the Messianic Era. Believers of Yeshua see Elijah's cup as a prophecy of Yeshua's return. Both points of view have merit.

Remember the law of Moses My servant, even the statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel. Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse. Malachi 4:4-6

Religious Jews regard the prophecies of restoration and the Messianic era as the future redemption of Israel. Believers of Yeshua see the coming great and terrible day of the Lord as the second coming of Yeshua, which ushers in the Millennial Kingdom. We also see the salvation and deliverance of the tribulation saints, beginning with a Passover and resulting 3 ½ years later in the Feast of Ingathering (Tabernacles). Therefore, Passover speaks of the past events with our ancestors coming out of Egypt and Passover also lays out the key prophecies of Messiah Yeshua's work of redemption (His death, burial, and resurrection). In addition, Passover and the cups also speak to the future kingdom, the Messianic era.

The four cups of Moses' instruction and the cup of Elijah constitute the known cups of Passover. However, there is another cup hidden in the midst of these five cups. I called it the secret (hidden) cup of Passover. This hidden cup is well hidden from my unbelieving Jewish brethren. It is hidden in plain sight. We do not memorialize this cup, but we need to have an understanding of its meaning.

Maybe you as a believer already have an idea about the secret cup of Passover. Those of us who do believe in Yeshua as the Messiah have a number of clues and hints already. However, let's examine this cup from a story of our fathers, specifically Joseph and when he revealed himself to his brothers. The story of Joseph and his cup is the basis of this hidden cup in the Passover.

I am sure you remember the basics of the story of Joseph. Joseph was sent by Jacob to check on his brothers, then he was thrown into a pit, then sold to Midian traders traveling to Egypt by his own brothers. Judah came up with the story of ripping up his multi-colored tunic to explain his absence to their father Jacob. Nevertheless, Joseph prospered in Egypt, rising to second in command of all Egypt. Years go by and the brothers were then forced by famine to go to Egypt to buy grain. Joseph recognized his brethren, but his brethren did not recognize him. Joseph put his brethren to the test requiring them to bring Benjamin, his younger brother, to see him. Joseph did this based on his dreams from God – “I saw eleven sheaves bowing to my sheave.” They were buying grain from Joseph. When Benjamin was finally brought to Joseph, Judah's leadership of his brethren was also developing as he had made himself a surety to bring Benjamin back safely to Jacob. The story takes on a particular twist when Joseph tests his brothers with the use of his silver cup of divination. Joseph had used this cup in front of his brothers when they feasted together. Joseph had his cup planted in the brothers’ belongings, specifically his brother Benjamin, to set the stage for him to confront them. Let us examine the story as Joseph commands his steward to place both their money and his silver cup of divination in his brother's sacks.

Then he commanded his house steward, saying, “Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man's money in the mouth of his sack. And put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his money for the grain.” And he did as Joseph had told him. As soon as it was light, the men were sent away, they with their donkeys. They had just gone out of the city, and were not far off, when Joseph said to his house steward, “Up, follow the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good? Is not this the one from which my lord drinks, and which he indeed uses for divination? You have done wrong in doing this.’” Genesis 44:1-5

There is no question at this point that Joseph is working a very specific plan, one that involves his cup and his brother Benjamin. In fact, some sages say that Benjamin was a knowledgeable participant working with Joseph. According to them, Joseph did not want to traumatize his little brother Benjamin. Further, Benjamin was not a participant in his brother’s misdeed, so Benjamin could serve as an ally in bringing resolution to the matter. Maybe this is why Joseph gave the special gifts and food to him when they first met.

He took portions to them from his own table; but Benjamin's portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they feasted and drank freely with him. Genesis 43:34

The other brothers, under Judah’s influence, were going to be challenged by Joseph, claim ignorance and innocence of his charges, use their logical resources for a defense and in the end, be caught “dead to rights” and be “guilty as charged.”

So he overtook them and spoke these words to them. They said to him, “Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing. Behold, the money which we found in the mouth of our sacks we have brought back to you from the land of Canaan. How then could we steal silver or gold from your lord’s house? With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my lord's slaves.” So he said, “Now let it also be according to your words; he with whom it is found shall be my slave, and the rest of you shall be innocent.” Then they hurried, each man lowered his sack to the ground, and each man opened his sack. He searched, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest, and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack. Genesis 44:6-12

Joseph's plan was working perfectly. They thought they were home free when they left. However, they were about to be confronted with their past and have it resolved.

Then they tore their clothes, and when each man loaded his donkey, they returned to the city. When Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house, he was still there, and they fell to the ground before him. And Joseph said to them, “What is this deed that you have done? Do you not know that such a man as I can indeed practice divination?” Genesis 44:13-15

Before we go any further, let’s examine this silver cup, a cup of divination as explained by Joseph. Many kings and royal figures in the ancient times were used to having a special cup for their exclusive use. They even had special servants called cup-bearers who guarded the king’s cup, because poisoning was a favorite method of changing the government. Joseph was a governmental leader of Egypt and had his own cup. It was made of precious metal—silver—and had obvious value. But this divination business doesn't seem to line up with the things of God. In fact, divination is specifically forbidden by God. So what was Moses referring to when writing the history that the cup was spoken of as a cup of divination?

God forbids the act of divination by means of the occult to foretell the future. This is the common definition of divination. There is another meaning to divination, however, that Joseph was using. Joseph could divine the future by the power of God. He had done so many times while in Egypt, not the least was his prophecy of the seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. His cup designated him as ruler; he was in his position of leadership because of his divination (prophecies). Joseph's question to his brothers was based on his reputation and testimony in Egypt.

However, there are a number of other interesting thoughts about this cup of Joseph that are worthy of our curiosity and interest. According to the sages of Israel, Joseph's cup had several pieces. It was a puzzle cup – fit together in a particular pattern to form a single cup. This idea is completely supported by the specific Hebrew word used by Moses to describe Joseph's cup. It is not the customary word used elsewhere to describe a cup used by people. Instead, it is the same word to describe the cups in the making of the Menorah—the seven candelabrum—of the tabernacle and temple. It is a cup modeled after an almond blossom. The Hebrew word is gabia, spelled with a gimel, bet, yod, and ayin. Listen to the description of making the Menorah.

Then you shall make a lampstand of pure gold. The lampstand and its base and its shaft are to be made of hammered work; its cups, its bulbs and its flowers shall be of one piece with it. Six branches shall go out from its sides; three branches of the lampstand from its one side and three branches of the lampstand from its other side. Three cups shall be shaped like almond blossoms in the one branch, a bulb and a flower, and three cups shaped like almond blossoms in the other branch, a bulb and a flower—so for six branches going out from the lampstand; and in the lampstand four cups shaped like almond blossoms, its bulbs and its flowers. Exodus 25:31-34

One of the most fascinating studies in the Bible is the detailed pattern given to Moses to construct the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, and the Menorah used in the tabernacle. This small portion of that description for the Menorah’s pattern emphasizes the use of cups shaped like almond blossoms as much as it does the seven lamps. Very few students of the Bible ever get to this level of detailed study to understand its significance. Even fewer make the comparison to Joseph's silver cup of divination.

Let's examine this a bit further. An almond blossom has multiple parts. The calyx is the green element attaching the five petals to a common stem. The base of the cup is the calyx; the five petals fan up and out to make the broad rim of the cup. The sages believe that Joseph's cup was multi-parted, based on the structure of an almond blossom with its base cup and fitted petals. They also believe that only a part of this cup was put in Benjamin's sack, probably one of the petals. In this way, another replica cup would not be confused with Joseph's cup. The missing piece would be returned, fitting the cup precisely, thus proving the theft.

The logical defense offered by the brothers (that they weren't after money or the value of silver) seems to fit the idea of only a part of Joseph's cup was missing. “Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing. Behold, the money which we found in the mouth of our sacks we have brought back to you from the land of Canaan. How then could we steal silver or gold from your lord's house?”

Before we leave the definition of Joseph's cup and the cups of the Menorah branches, we need to understand the almond blossom connection. The almond and the almond blossom are all about the High Priest and the staff of Aaron. Aaron's rod, an almond branch, blossomed in the great test of who is God's anointed. The story is given to us in Numbers.

“Speak to the sons of Israel, and get from them a rod for each father's household: twelve rods, from all their leaders according to their fathers’ households. You shall write each name on his rod, and write Aaron’s name on the rod of Levi; for there is one rod for the head of each of their fathers’ households. You shall then deposit them in the tent of meeting in front of the testimony, where I meet with you. It will come about that the rod of the man whom I choose will sprout. Thus I will lessen from upon Myself the grumblings of the sons of Israel, who are grumbling against you.” Moses therefore spoke to the sons of Israel, and all their leaders gave him a rod apiece, for each leader according to their fathers’ households, twelve rods, with the rod of Aaron among their rods. So Moses deposited the rods before the Lord in the tent of the testimony. Numbers 17:2-7

This was God's test to determine who was God's choice to be High Priest over Israel. Actually, God had already decided, but the people were confused because of rebels stirring up trouble.

Now on the next day that Moses went into the tent of the testimony; and behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth buds and produced blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds. Moses then brought out all the rods from the presence of the Lord to all the sons of Israel; and they looked, and each man took his rod. But the Lord said to Moses, “Put back the rod of Aaron before the testimony to be kept as a sign against the rebels, that you may put an end to their grumblings against Me, so that they should not die.” Numbers 17:8-10

Aaron’s rod was made of an almond branch. It blossomed and bore fruit in that one night as a testimony to all. It was the sign for all Israel that God had chosen Aaron to serve as High Priest. Even though it took place beforehand, we can assume that Joseph’s cup, in the pattern of an almond blossom, was a designation from God that he was to be above his brothers. The almond blossom symbol became the instrument of test for all to see who was anointed by God to rule.

The use of the almond in the branches of the Menorah is also a fitting symbol for the Messiah as High Priest. The Menorah’s seven branches holding the seven lamps with oil and light are powerful elements picturing the Messiah. The Messiah is the Anointed One. Anointing oil from the olive is the first portion of oil when the olive is crushed. It was the fuel for the lamp. The light from the lamps certainly is a picture of the Messiah—the Light of the World.

Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. Isaiah 11:1-2

Just like the construction of the Menorah with a center (the Spirit of the Lord), six branches extended from the sides producing seven lamps. The Messiah was to be Anointed with the Spirit of the Lord and have the other Spirits as well. This is why the Messiah is qualified to rule the world. He does not judge like any other. His judgment is righteous. This is why John's vision of the Messiah in Revelation is so significant standing in the midst of a seven candelabrum (a Menorah).

Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash. Revelation 1:12-13

What does all of this have to do with the Passover cups? What is hidden in plain sight in the cups of the Passover that would designate a ruler among brethren raised up like Joseph, or would signify the authority of the High Priest of all Israel? How is the Messiah shown to us in the cups of Passover? The questions are answered by Messiah Yeshua Himself.

While they were eating, Yeshua took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body." And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom.” Matthew 26:26-29

The Apostle Paul offers this specific statement from the Messiah.

In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. 1 Corinthians 11:25-26

The secret cup of the Passover is hiding in plain sight. The base of the secret cup is the Messiah Himself. The middle of the cups, the third cup—the one right after supper, the cup of Redemption—was the one that the Messiah used to establish the New Covenant.

Jeremiah described this new covenant.

“Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,…” Jeremiah 31:31

The descendants of Joseph became the House of Israel. The descendants of Judah became the House of Judah. The Messiah came to make a new covenant to join them together just as Joseph was restored to Judah and the brothers because of a silver cup of divination.

“…not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 31:32

At the new covenant the Husband would be broken in place of the bride to bring us out of slavery to sin.

“But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the Lord, "I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Jeremiah 31:33

God's purpose at the exodus from Egypt was “I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage. I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. Then I will take you for My people, and I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the Lord your God,” Jeremiah said the purpose of new covenant would be for knowing that the Lord our God was our God and that we would be His people. It was for the purpose of revealing the Messiah to us.

Messiah Yeshua is the Redeemer of Israel. The five cups of Passover fit together like Joseph’s cup to make one cup of salvation. Why is it silver? Because silver is the coinage commanded for redeeming something. Why is it a cup of divination? Because His is the divine One. It is a prophecy about the Messiah and His work of redemption for us. Joseph was the “bread man of life.” Yeshua was the true bread from heaven, born of the House of Bread, Bethlehem. He was the manna bread that our fathers asked, “What is it?” He was the Messiah, rejected by his brethren, like Joseph, sent by His father to see to the welfare of His brethren. He was the One raised up from a pit to be over all His brethren. This is why Joseph directed the cup to be in Benjamin’s bag. Benjamin’s name means the “son of the right hand.” This is why Benjamin was given five portions more than his other brothers (the secret is hidden in his name). Yeshua is sitting at the right hand of His Father.

Oh, by the way, there is one more little twist on the story. The sages of Israel also say that the steward of Joseph’s house, the one who put the cup in Benjamin’s bag and brought Judah and his brothers back was one of Joseph’s sons. Some say Manasseh, his oldest son, but the ancient custom was that the youngest son was the steward of the father’s house, just like David was for Jesse. Therefore, it was Ephraim who was Joseph’s steward. This is very profound if it is so. The sages of Israel also say that Ephraim plays a significant role in revealing the Messiah to Judah.

There is a day coming for Judah and his brother Joseph to be reunited. It will be a day when all the grumbling will be over. We will know who is God’s anointed; who is the High Priest of Israel. We will see who has been lifted up above all of us. We will sit with the Son of the Right Hand. We will understand that He was sent from our Heavenly Father to see to our welfare.

This year when we come to tell the great story of redemption at the Passover consider this. The story begins with Joseph. The story does not stop with crossing the Red Sea. It continues after the supper to the Messiah’s cup of Redemption, a cup like Joseph’s that is put together in the person of the Messiah with five petals of the almond blossom (Sanctification, Instruction, Redemption, Elijah the Prophet, and Praise). But even then, the story of Passover does not end.

There is a future in that secret cup, another Passover we are looking forward to. It is the Passover in the kingdom with the Messiah. We will sit together with the Messiah; He will drink the cup with us again. “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom.” That will be a moment for eternity. Joseph and his sons will be sitting there with Judah and the other brothers. All of the pieces of that secret cup will then be fitted together.