Hebraic Musings – Why
did God give us “Appointed Times?
The Jewish
calendar has special days often referred to as “Jewish Feast Days.” In Hebrew they are “Moadim” (appointed times,
festivals or feasts). The Lord
communicated them to Moses “Speak to the
Israelites and say to them: 'These are my appointed feasts…” Leviticus
23:1-2 NIV Let’s look at each of these “Moadim”
recognizing them as foreshadowings of God’s appointed times. Maybe they apply to us Christians as the
Lord’s people?
Sabbath Rest. "'There are six days when you may work, but
the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a day of sacred assembly.
You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the Lord.”
Lev 23:3 “Seven”
denotes “Completion” in Hebrew symbolism; so, is the seventh day Sabbath a
foreshadowing of our eternal rest upon completion? There are seven more “Moadim” – 3 in Spring,
1 in late Spring, 3 in Fall -- Menorah pic!!!
1. Passover is the first Spring
feast – “The Lord's Passover begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the
first month.” Lev 23:5-6 For
the Jews, it starts a new year. For
Christians Passover has the dearest connection with the sacrificial death of
Jesus, our Messiah.
2. Feast of Unleavened Bread starts
on the 15th day of the first month; “For seven days you must eat bread made without yeast.” In Exodus, they came out of Egypt, released
from the bondage of Satan, and ate unleavened (sinless) bread. Sinless Jesus died on the cross for us; so does
Matzo represent the sinless bread of life.
3. First Fruits celebration -- “When you enter the land I am going to give
you and you reap its harvest, bring to the priest a sheaf of the first grain
you harvest.” Lev 23:10-11 This
early spring celebration thanks the Lord for the barley harvest, the first crop
of the year. As Christians, we celebrate
the resurrection of Jesus Christ as our firstfruits of life from the dead. “He is risen” and now lives His sinless life
in us Christians!
Shavuot, or Pentecost -- the Middle light “Count
off fifty days (after Passover) … and
then present an offering of new grain to the Lord.” Lev 23:16-17 Moses received the 10 commandments on Shavuot
- foreshadowing of the Holy Spirt being poured out on believing disciples in
Acts as the first harvest of souls into the Kingdom of God.
1. Rosh Hashanah (Trumpets) begins
with a blast – “'On the first day of the
seventh month you are to have a day of rest, a sacred assembly commemorated
with trumpet blasts.” Lev 23:24-25 The
ten days starting with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur are known as Days
of Awe or Days of Repentance. Could the trumpet calls be a foreshadowing of the
end of times. ‘Pre-Trib’ folks consider this the rapture of the Church.
2. Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) – “The tenth day of this seventh month is the
Day of Atonement. … sacred assembly and deny yourselves, …. Do no work on that day, because …Atonement is
made for you before the Lord your God. Anyone who does not deny himself on that day
must be cut off … destroy … anyone who does any work on that day. … do no work at all. … a lasting ordinance for
the generations to come, wherever you live.… and you must deny yourselves.”
Lev 23:27-32 For the Jews, the holiest
day of the year. Should we pay attention
to “…lasting ordinance for the
generations to come….”? While there
are a number of ways to view this most Holy Day, I find myself honoring it as a
day of deep self-reflection supported by a serious fast.
3. Sukkot (Tabernacles or Booths) –
“On the fifteenth day of the seventh
month the Lord's Feast of Tabernacles begins, and it lasts for seven days. …
present offerings … and on the eighth day hold a sacred assembly and present an
…. It is the closing assembly;” Lev 23:34-36 This feast is celebrated by eight days
living outdoors in flimsy shelters remembering God’s miraculous salvation of
His people (from Egypt, or from Sin?). The final day is called Simchat Torah, a
full day devoted to “The Joy of the Torah”. Sounds a lot like heaven to
me! Is this what Micah and Isaiah taught
us when we say the Lord will once again “tabernacle” with His people? The Lord enjoyed the 7 days in the booths
fellowshipping with His people so He added one more day!
Points to ponder
Are these “Jewish Feast Days”? Or
“God’s Appointed times” for all of us?!
Hag Sameach (Happy Holiday)
Yosef a.k.a.
Joe Brusherd July
4, 2017
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