Through the Bible: Leviticusনমুনা

Seven Festivals and One Long Summer

The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘These are my appointed festivals, the appointed festivals of the LORD, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies…’”

Leviticus 23:1-2 (NIV)

In Leviticus 23, God instructed the Israelites to observe seven sacred annual feasts. If we pay attention to the meaning behind them, we will be amazed that these feasts are in fact foreshadowing God’s plan and timing for all believers in Christ. First, there are the first four spring feasts – Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits and Pentecost which marks the beginning of harvest. In between the two seasons is a long summer. Then in the fall season, there will be the Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles to celebrate the dwelling with God’s presence. 

About 2,000 years ago, the first feasts coincided with Jesus’ sacrificial death, burial and first-fruit resurrection. Then on the day of Pentecost, the Church was born with the harvest of 3,000 souls saved under the new covenant of grace. The church will continue to harvest until she is asked to stop and worship face-to-face with God at the appointed time when Jesus has returned, judgment has been passed, and all the believers will gather for the Great Wedding Feast which celebrates God’s presence with His people forever in the new heaven and earth. In between the two seasons is a long summer for us to harvest. How are we going to make the most out of this harvest season?

Prayer:

Thank You, Jesus, for not leaving us as orphans. You have shown kindness and made possible provisions for us to come under Your cover to partake of the harvesting and inheritance. Thank You for giving us the gracious time, and for appointing the feasts to be the commemorating pointers for great celebrations! You are an amazing God and Redeemer, amen.