ADULT STS LESSON 80

DIVINELY APPOINTED FEASTS

MEMORY VERSE: “Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath
of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the
LORD in all your dwellings” (Leviticus 23:3).

TEXT: Leviticus 23:1-44; 24:1-23

In addition to the regular Sabbath, God ordained seven religious feasts or festivals for the
children of Israel. These are the feasts of Passover, Unleavened bread, First-fruits,
Pentecost, Trumpets, day of atonement and Tabernacles. The feasts of Passover, Pentecost
and Tabernacles were the major ones while the other four were associated with them. The
three major feasts are also referred to as pilgrimage feasts, as the children of Israel had to
travel to Jerusalem to observe them in the temple (Deuteronomy l6:16). For Israel, the
feasts were periods appointed by the Lord for His people to gather for spiritual retreat and
to commemorate significant events in their history. But the feasts also had prophetic
significance with respect to God’s plan for the entire human race. Apart from ordaining the
feasts, God also gave commandments concerning the oil and the shewbread. The Lord
created His consciousness in the children of Israel through the commandments on the
ordained feasts and the perpetual light burning in the tabernacle. Then, He warned them
against blasphemy resulting from the reckless use of the tongue. This study, therefore,
focuses on the feasts of the Lord and their significance for present-day believers: the oil and
the shewbread, and caution against blasphemy. Believers must endeavor to reverence God
as they attend various programmes organized by the church and refrain from evil-speaking:
“Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven neither with the leaven of
malice and wickedness: but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (1
Corinthians 5:8).

1. PRESCRIBED FEASTS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE

Leviticus 23:1-36; Exodus 23:14-17; Numbers 28:16. 31; Deuteronomy 16:1-17; Joshua 5:10;
2 Chronicles 8:12,13; 35:1; Nehemiah 8:1,14; Ezra 3:4; Romans 15:4

The feast of Passover is the first among the feasts. It took place on the 14 th day of month
Abib, the first month of the year in the Jewish religious calendar (corresponding with
March/ April). The feast of Unleavened Bread, which is associated with it, began the
following day, 15th day and continued till 21st day (a whole week). The feast of Firstfruits
also took place the next day after the commencement of the feast of Unleavened Bread; that
is, on the 16th day of month Abib. As a result, one pilgrimage would take care of these three
feasts. The feast of Weeks or Pentecost came next, fifty days after the feast of Firstfruits on
the 6th day of the month Sivan, the third month (corresponding with May/ June). This feast
had no minor feast associated with it and so pilgrims attended it and returned to their
homes. This is followed by the feast of Trumpets which came up on the first day of the
seventh month, Tishri (corresponding with part of September/October). Ten days later, that
is, the 10th month, the Day of Atonement took place. After that, the feast of Tabernacles,
which is the last feast, came up on the 15 th day of the month and ended on the 21 st day of
the same seventh month. These three feasts could be covered by one pilgrimage as well-
those who came to Jerusalem for the feasts could spend three weeks there to attend the
three feasts in the month Tishri. Aside these feasts, the Jew added other ones after they
returned from captivity, some of which are mentioned in the New Testament. These include:
One, the feast of Dedication (John 10:22) held on the 25 th of the ninth month, Chisleu
(corresponding with December) to mark the dedication of the temple alter it was cleansed
from defilement caused by Antiochus Epiphanes between l66-164 BC. Two, the feast of
Purim (Esther 3:7-9, 18-24,31,32) which held on the 14h of the twelfth month, Adar
(corresponding with March) to commemorate the deliverance of the Jews from the evil plot
of Haman in the days of Queen Esther. Three, the cheerful feasts marked with the fasts of
4th, 5th and 7th month to mourn the destruction of Jerusalem (Zechariah 7:3; 8:19). Our
Lord Jesus attended the feasts during His earthly ministry to show that believers ought to
submit themselves to the word of God no matter the height they attain in ministry (John
2:13-25; 5:1;7:1-11,39; 10:22-24; 1 Peter 2:21; Luke 22:8). We should faithfully attend
church services and special programmes to hear and learn from the word of God, as well as
be spiritually renewed and refreshed. Though these appointed feasts described in the text
were held at different times, there are some general features common to them. They were
times of joy and thanksgiving, except for the Day of One, Atonement which was
characterized by sobriety and self-humiliation (Psalm 122:1-4). Two, all the males attended
the feasts (Exodus 23:17; Deuteronomy 16:16). Three, they involved presentation of special
offerings (Exodus 34:20; Deuteronomy 16:16,17). Four, each feast had a special Sabbath
associated with it. The Lord appointed these feasts to avail the children of Israel the
opportunity to celebrate His great acts of salvation and mercy in their history.

2. PERTINENCE OF THE FEASTS FOR CONTEMPORARY SAINTS

Leviticus 23:1-44; Isaiah 25:6,8; Matthew 26:17-19: Luke 22:7-20; 1 Corinthians 5:6-8

The old testament holy seasons with accompanying elaborate sacrificial systems, rituals
and ceremonies have no place in our present-day gospel dispensation as they have been
done away with through the redemptive work of Christ on the cross. For contemporary
saints, these feasts have deeper meaning and application beyond the historical and
agricultural significance, which they held for the Jews. The feast of Passover
commemorated the deliverance of the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage; but for
believers, it represents salvation from sin. As a replacement for the Passover, the Lord
Jesus Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper, which believers are to observe in remembrance
of His death and in anticipation of His return. “For as often as ye eat this bread, and
drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come” (1 Corinthians 11:26). Just
as no unclean person was allowed to partake of the Passover, so it is with the Lord’s
Supper. The unsaved and backsliders are not to partake in the Lord’s Supper. “For he
that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself,
not discerning the Lord’s body” (1 Corinthians 11:29). The feast of Unleavened Bread is
closely linked to the Passover, implying that everyone who have encountered Christ must
live a life that is free from the leaven of malice, hypocrisy and wickedness (Luke 22:1,7-20;
1 Corinthians 5:8). Leaven signifies the presence of sin. Therefore, eating unleavened bread
in connection with the Passover symbolised a turning from the old life of sin to a new life of
purity. The feast of Firstfruits calls believers to show gratitude to God in view of His mercies
and benefits and to give God first place in the administering of their substances (Proverbs
3:9,10; Matthew 6:33). Believers in Christ are referred to as the firstíruits of Christ’s
redemptive work (James 1:18; Revelation 14:4). Christ rose from the dead “…and [became]
the firstfruits of them that slept” to assure us of hope of our own resurrection. The feast
of Weeks or Pentecost was a celebration of harvest, a holy Sabbath and a time of giving
freely to the Levites the Levites, strangers, orphans, and others. For the resent-day saint,
Pentecost is Synonymous with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. There can be no proper
harvest of souls into God’s kingdom without the baptism n the Holy Ghost. Literally, we see
the connection between these feasts: Pentecost is celebrated fifty days after the feast of
Firstfruits. In the same way, Jesus was crucified as our Passover and rose from the dead as
the Firstfruit, and fifty days after, the Holy Ghost came on the early believers. Thus, there
can be no Pentecost without the Passover. Everyone who seeks to receive the Holy Ghost
Baptism must be born again, sanctified and be passionate to be used of God in bringing
sinners to Christ. There must be earnest prayer and faith to receive this experience. The
feast of Trumpets is celebrated at the beginning of the seventh month (Israel’s civil New
Year). But it reminds believers of the trump of God that sound at rapture. “In a moment, in
the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall
be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For the Lord himself shall descend from
heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the
dead in Christ shall rise first” (1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16). This is the
glorious hope of every believer in Christ. Also, the feast of Trumpets announced the
commencement of the month of atonement. This informs believers to blow the trumpet of
the gospel as an indication that Christ has fulfilled every sacrifice on the cross and has
borne our sins. The day of atonement symbolizes Christ, our perfect High Priest, entering
into heaven to make permanent propitiation for our sins. It reminds believers that their
sins have been remitted and taken away like the scapegoat bore away the sins of the
Israelites (Leviticus l6:21,22; Isaiah 53:4-6,11). The feast of Tabernacles reminds us of the
brevity of our stay on earth and the need to live in humility and Sobriety. During this feast,
the Israelites left the comfort of their homes and dwelt in booths for a whole week to
Commemorate how God protected and guided them in the wilderness. The feast of
Tabernacles, also called the feast of In- gathering, concludes the cycle of annual feasts. At
the end of time, there shall be a final harvest which will lead to separation of the tares from
the wheat (Matthew 13:37-41). All believers shall be gathered unto the Lord and so shall we
be with the Lord forever and ever.

3. PRECEPTS CONCERNING OIL, SHEWBREAD AND BLASPHEMY

Leviticus 24:1-23; Exodus 27:20; Psalm 23:5; Matthew 25:3; Exodus 20:7; Matthew 5:33-37;
Colossians 3:8

Moses was directed by God to command the children of Israel to bring pure olive oil for the
light; and he was to make shewbread and set it on the golden table in the sanctuary. The
oil, to be used to keep light burning perpetually in the tabernacle, was a symbol of divine
presence, revelation, illumination and guidance that believers stand to enjoy as they
remain in fellowship with God. From the passage, we see that the people had a part to play
in order to keep the light burning in the sanctuary. They were to supply the oil while the
priests had to light the lamps and trim them regularly. This teaches us that the presence of
God can only abide in our lives as we obey God’s command and cooperate with His Spirit
He has given to guide and lead us. The shewbread consisted of twelve loaves of unleavened
bread which were set in two rows on the golden table before the Lord in the sanctuary. The
loaves represented the twelve tribes of Israel being set before the Lord continually. This
shows that as God’s people, we are continually in His presence and, as such, are never
forgotten (Isaiah 49:15,16). The oil and the shewbread are actually two sides of a coin. The
oil gave the light and represents God’s presence among His people, whereas the bread
represents the people in the presence of their God. After giving instruction concerning the
symbol of His presence among the children of Israel, the Lord went further to caution them
against blasphemy or reckless use of the tongue against God. The passage also shows that
there are grave consequences for departing from God’s precepts and plan in any area of our
lives. Blasphemy means speaking ingloriously or irreverently about God or His attribute;
speaking contemptuously about Him, His works, providence, perfection and government.
The Lord had earlier warned the children of Israel against blasphemy in the third
commandment “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the
LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7). God
puts blasphemy in the category of crimes that deserve capital punishment. Those who
defaulted in both the Old and New Testaments were not spared (2 Chronicles 32:14- 17,21;
1 Timothy 1:20). God’s name must be hallowed and not used thoughtlessly or insincerely; it
must not be associated with idolatry, magic, swearing, comedy or any evil. Other forms of
blasphemy that must be avoided include charging God foolishly, accusing Him of
wrongdoing and questioning His sovereignty, especially during bereavement or
disappointment. We ‘should watch against careless talk that slander God’s personality or
attributes. While dealing with the case of blasphemy, God also reiterated the laws against
murder and cruelty. Retaliation was also discouraged, which should be enforced by the
judges and not necessarily the individuals offended. The punishment for murder was death.
However, Christ’s explanation of the law shows that murder is more than killing another
person physically; it also includes character assassination that results from angry outburst
and hatred (1 John 3:15). Christ commanded us not to retaliate but rather bless those who
curse us and to repay evil with good (Matthew 5:38-42: Romans 12:19-21). This is the law
of love.

Questions For Review:

1. What do the Israelites term as feasts?
2. Mention three feasts appointed by God for the children of Israel to observe and their
respective dates.
3. What do we learn from Christ’s attendance and participation in the appointed feasts for
the Jews during His earthly ministry?
4. What are the general features common to these feasts?
5. Highlight the application of the divinely appointed Jewish feasts to present-day believers.
6. Explain the connection between the oil and the shewbread.
7. What is blasphemy and what are the ways people blaspheme God’s name today?