Ethical

“Food choices matter because they are the most consistent ethical decision we make throughout the day.” (Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz)

The seven feasts of Israel may not seem like something Christians need to be concerned about. These feasts symbolize the coming of the Messiah. Israel’s feasts demonstrate the holiness of God and the sinfulness of humanity by pointing to the victorious sacrifice of Jesus.  These feasts include:

Passover (Pesach) was celebrated on March 27 through March 28, 2021.

On the fourteenth day of the first month at evening is the Lord’s Passover.  (Leviticus 23:5, Modern English Version)

This feast remembers the last plague in Egypt when the angel of death “passed over” the children of Israel who applied the blood of the lamb to their doors. The Israelites took a bundle of hyssop and dipped it into the blood in a basin. They put it up on the lintel and the two sides of the frame. Bottom to top, and side to side: the motion formed a cross.

In the New Testament we see that Jesus was born in a stable, visited by shepherds, and led to the slaughter like a lamb sent for us. His death allows the judgment we deserve to pass over us.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread (Hag ha-Matzot) was celebrated on March 28 through April 4, 2021.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread begins on the fifteenth day of the same month. You will eat bread made without yeast for seven days. (Leviticus 23:6, International Children’s Bible)

This seven-day feast begins on the day following the start of Passover. In the haste of the Israelites to leave Egypt, there was no time to add leaven (yeast) to their bread. During this time, remembering the hardships in Egypt and how God freed them from captivity, the Jews eat nothing leavened.

Leaven often represents sin and decay in the Bible. Once incorporated, yeast becomes an inseparable part of the bread; the same is true for sin’s effect on our lives. The Jews were constantly sacrificing unblemished animals to temporarily atone for sin. Only the Jesus, the perfect sinless sacrifice, could offer a permanent solution. Jesus boldly declares that He is the Bread of Life. Not only does he remove our sins, he nourishes our souls.

The Feast of First Fruits (Reshit Kitzir) was celebrated on April 3 through April 4, 2021.

Tell the people of Israel: ‘You will enter the land I will give you. You will gather its harvest. At that time you must bring the first bundle of grain from your harvest to the priest’. (Leviticus 23:10, International Children’s Bible)

The Feast of First Fruits is one of three Jewish harvest feasts to thank and honor God for all he provided. Although they didn’t know it at the time, the children of Israel were celebrating what would become a very important day. The priests sacrificed Passover lambs on the 14th day of the month of Nisan, and the first day of Passover was the 15th.

The Feast of First Fruits was celebrated the third day, the 16th of Nisan. This “third day” celebration was the same day that Jesus resurrected from the dead. He represents the first of the great harvest of souls (including you) that will resurrect to eternal life because of his death on the cross.

The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost or Shavuot) was celebrated on May 22 through 23, 2021.

From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. (Leviticus 23:15, New International Version)

This feast is the second of the three harvest feasts. It occurs exactly seven weeks after the Feast of First Fruits so it’s also called “Pentecost “which means “50 days.” Traditionally, people were expected to bring the first harvest of grain to the Lord including two leavened loaves of bread.

God’s plan to save souls included more than the Jews. Through Jesus, this plan was revealed. Jesus tells his disciples that “the harvest is great, but the workers are few.” Then he put the plan into place by telling them to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit.

The Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) is celebrated on September 8 through September 9, 2021.

Tell the people of Israel: ‘On the first day of the seventh month you must have a special day of rest. There will be a holy meeting. Blow the trumpet for a special time of remembering. (Leviticus 23:24, International Children’s Bible)

In a beautiful declaration, God commands his people to rest. During this time all regular work is prohibited, and men and women present a food offering to God.

Similarly, the sound of a trumpet is also associated with the rapture, which is will be a wedding feast of celebration. Revelation 19:9 says, “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.”  He’s preparing us to celebrate.

The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) is celebrated on September 17 through September 18, 2021.

The Day of Atonement follows nine days later: All the people are to come together before the Lord, saddened by their sin; and they shall offer sacrifices by fire to the Lord.   (Leviticus 23:26-27, Living Bible)

To make “atonement” is to make payment for wrongs committed. As a day of humility and repentance to God, it was a time for the Jews to get their hearts, consciences, and lives right before him. The observance involved the sacrifice of animals as the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies. What the High Priest did there couldn’t offer more than an annual payment for their sins. There was the promise of Someone to come Who could atone for sins permanently.

Where is Jesus in these sacrificed animals? The bull and one of the goats was an offering of thanks, but the “scapegoat” took on their sins . The scapegoat was to be burdened with all the sins of Israel and sent into the wilderness. The necessity of the Day of Atonement was rendered void by Jesus’ death on the cross (our debt has been paid).

The Feast of Tabernacles/Booths/ Shelter/Harvest (Sukkot) is celebrated on September 22 – September 29, 2021.

Again the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,  “Say to the children of Israel, ‘On the fifteenth day of this seventh month, and for seven days, is the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) to the Lord. (Leviticus 23:33-34, Amplified Bible)

Celebration always follows the Day of Atonement. The Feast of Tabernacles celebrates God’s provision and protection for the people of Israel during their 40 years wandering in the wilderness. For the seven days of the feast, people live in temporary structures like they did in the wilderness. The Lord himself was with the Israelites in the desert in a tented temple called the tabernacle.  The feast also celebrates his presence as God dwells with us.

This feast points to the promise that Jesus will return for his people one day. When this happens, there will be no more death and suffering as Jesus wipes away every tear from our eyes. His return is the hopeful answer we’ve carried our entire lives to see him again.

“Passover affirms the great truth that liberty is the inalienable right of every human being.” (Morris Joseph)[i]

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[i] Adapted from:

·     “Feasts & New Moon Dates” by Messianic Sabbath

·         “7 Feasts that Point to Christ” by Wycliffe Bible Translators

·         “The 7 Feasts of Israel: Overview” by Ken Boa

·        “Jewish Feasts and Festivals Chart Listing” by carm.org

·        “Passover (Pesach) History” by My Jewish Learning

 

 

This post was inspired by the novel, Unshaken, by Francine Rivers.

Jewish celebration of Passover