SCRIPTURE: LEVITICUS 23
BIBLE VERSES:
“‘There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a sabbath to the Lord.” (Leviticus 23:3)
“‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner residing among you. I am the Lord your God.’” (Leviticus 23:22)
“Live in temporary shelters for seven days: All native-born Israelites are to live in such shelters 43 so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in temporary shelters when I brought them out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.’” (Leviticus 23:42-43)
THE SABBATH (vs. 1-8)
The 7th day is a Sabbath of rest, a day of sacred assembly which no one is allowed tow ork.
THE PASSOVER AND UNLEAVENED BREAD (vs. 4-8)
Passover begins at twilight on the 14th day of the first month. On the 15th day, the Lord’s Feast of Unleavened Bread beings; for 7 days eat bread made without yeast. They are not to work but to hold a sacred assembly and present an offering by fire for the Lord for 7 days.
FIRSTFRUITS (VS. 9-14)
During the first harvest, a sheaf of the first grain must be brought to the priest. The priest will wave the sheaf before the Lord on the day after the Sabbath. Then bring a burnt offering of sacrifice of a year old lamb without defect together with its grain offering of 1/10 of an ephah or fine flour mixed with oil and a drink offering of a quarter of a hin of wine to the Lord. They are not to eat any bread or roasted or new grain until the very day they bring this offering.
FEAST OF WEEKS (vs. 15-22)
Wave offering of first ruits consists of 2 loaves of 2/10 of an ephah of fine flour baked with yeast. Then present the bread with7 a year old male lambs without defects or young bull and 2 rams which is the burnt offering. The burnt offering, grain offering and drink offering made by fire is an aroma pleasing to the Lord. Then for sin offering, sacrifice one male goaat and for fellowship offering, 1 a yea rold lambs.
FEAST OF TRUMPETS (vs. 23-25)
On the first day of the 7th month, they must rest and have a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts.
DAY OF ATONEMENT (vs. 26-32)
The 10th day of the 7th month is the Day of Atonement. No work is allowed. Anyone who works will be cut off.
FEAST OF TABERNACLE (vs. 33-44)
The Feast of Tabernacle beings on the 15th day of the 7th month which lasted for 7 days. The first day is a sacred assembly so no regular works. Present offerings to the Lord by fire for 7 days. The Lord’s appointed feasts are – Burnt offering and Grain offering, Sacrifices and Drink offering, Freewill Offering.
After gathering the crops, you have to celebrate the festival to the Lord for 7 days. The first and 8th days are days of rest. Celebrate for 7 days with fruits from the trees or palm fronds, leafy branches and poplars, and rejoice before the Lord. Live in booths for 7 days to remember that the Lord brought you out of Egypt.
THOUGHTS:
THE 7 FEASTS THAT PICTURE SALVATION HISTORY (by Warren Wiersbe)
- Passover – Christ the lamb who died for us
- Unleavened Bread – The Christian life of fellowship and separation from sin.
- Firstfruit – The resurrection of Christ
- Pentecost – The coming of the Holy Spirit
- Trumpets – The gathering together of God’s people the return of Christ in the air.,
- Day of Atonement – Clearing of God’s people, judgement seat of Christ
- Tabernacle – The future joy of God’s people in His kingdom.
The Festival of the Firstfruit required that the first cops harvested be offered to God. Today, God expects us to set aside his portion fir, not last. Giving leftovers to God is no way to express our thanks.
There are 7 feasts with two solem ones and five group occasion. God does not contend only meditation and introspection. He wants us to celebrate holidays with joy.