April is the month for celebrating new beginnings! On the biblical Hebrew calendar, in the months of Nisan and Iyar, we celebrate the children of Israel being released from bondage to the Egyptians. This celebration is included in the spring festivals of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Feast of First Fruits. On the Christian calendar, we celebrate who Jesus released us from our bondage to sin, by dying and rising again! Let’s look at the April Biblical events…
April 1 – Nisan 19
Holy Thursday: Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday is the day on the Christian calendar to commemorate the last meal Jesus shared with His disciples before His crucifixion. Mark 14:12-26
April 2 – Nisan 20
Good Friday: On the Christian calendar, Good Friday is also known as Holy Friday or Great Friday. Good Friday is remembered as the day Jesus was beaten, crucified, died, and was buried. For some, this is a day of fasting. Mark 15:1-16:6
April 3 – Nisan 21
Red Sea Crossing: The Lord opened the Red Sea before the children of Israel, and they went through on dry ground on Nisan 21, 1312 BC. The army of Egypt was drowned when the waters of the sea came in over them. Exodus 14:21-30
April 4 – Nisan 22
Easter Sunday: After three days in the grave, Jesus rose from the dead, conquering death and the grave! Today we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. HE IS RISEN! Matthew 28:6.
Unleavened Bread Ends: The seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread ends today. Leviticus 23:6
Jericho March Began: On Nisan 22, 1272 BC, Jewish history records that Joshua and his men began their march around the city of Jericho. They would march around Jericho for a total of seven days. Joshua 6:1-3
April 5 – Nisan 23
Marah: According to Jewish history, this is the date on which the Children of Israel camped at the bitter waters of Marah in the year 1312 BC. God told Moses how to make the bitter waters sweet. Exodus 15:23-25
April 6 – Nisan 24
Jesus and His Disciples: After Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to His disciples. Luke 24:36-39
April 10 – Nisan 28
Jericho Fell: After Joshua and his men walked around the walls of Jericho for seven days, God brought down the walls of Jericho on Nisan 29, according to Jewish history. Joshua 6:15-20
April 13 – Iyar 1
New Moon/New Month: The month of Iyar begins today. Iyar is pronounced ee-YARH
Census: The Lord instructed Moses to take a census of the children of Israel the second year after leaving Egypt. Moses counted all the men, aged 20 and older, by tribe. Since this was a census for men of war, the Levites were excluded. Numbers 1:1-3
Second Temple: The building of the Second Temple began in Jerusalem by Zerubbabel and those who returned with him from captivity in Babylon. Ezra 3:8
April 14 – Iyar 2
First Temple Foundation: On this day, the Bible records King Solomon began the foundation of the First Temple in Jerusalem. The Temple was built on the land purchased by his father David. 2 Chronicles 3:2
Jesus Appeared at the Sea: After Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to seven of His disciples while they were fishing on the sea. John 21:1-14
April 21- Iyar 9
Joseph’s Dream: According to Jewish tradition this is the date on which God gave Joseph the dream where the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed before him. Genesis 37:9
April 22 – Iyar 10
Eli the Priest Died: On this day, Eli the Priest died after receiving word his sons were dead. Eli took taught and took care of Samuel as a child. I Samuel 4:18
April 26- Iyar 14
Second Passover: The second Passover would have been celebrated by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus after burying Jesus in keeping with biblical law. Numbers 9:6
April 27 – Iyar 15
Quail: The Bible records that the children of Israel complained against Moses because the bread they had brought out of Egypt was depleted. At evening, on this day, God sent a great number of quail to the children of Israel. Exodus 16:1-36
April 28- Iyar 16
Manna: On this morning, Scripture records that manna fell for the first time. Manna would continue to fall throughout the wilderness wanderings of the children of Israel, stopping only when they entered the Promised Land. Exodus 16:4-5 and Joshua 5:12
April 29- Iyar 17
Noah Entered the Ark: In Genesis, we learn Noah and his family entered the ark in the second month of the year. Noah was joined by his wife, his three sons, and their wives. Genesis 7:1-5
As we go through the month of April and remember the Biblical events, may we also remember our great deliverance from sin and celebrate that fact!
Learn more about some of these events by studying the Old Testament Overview or the New Testament Overview.
Watch this video to see a Timeline of the Biblical Feasts.
