An Overview of the Appointed Festivals and How They Point to Christ
As the Israelites wandered in the desert, God was pointing them to the coming Messiah.
“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
- THE SABBATH is a day of rest. God said,
“There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, a day of sacred assembly.” Leviticus 23:3
This pointed to Christ, who is our rest.
“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.” Hebrews 4:9-10 Read full chapter
2. THE PASSOVER celebrated their deliverance from slavery in Egypt.
“Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” 1 Corinthians 5:7
“So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child.” Galatians 4:7
3. FESTIVAL OF UNLEAVENED BREAD
Christ is our sustenance, our source of strength.
Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
“Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry…” John 6:32-35
4. OFFERING THE FIRSTFRUITS
Points to Christ’s resurrection from the dead.
“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” 1 Corinthians 15:20
5. FESTIVAL OF WEEKS
Celebrates the harvest. It occurred fifty days after the Passover Sabbath. It was also called Pentecost. At the Pentecost following Christ’s resurrection, the Church was born.
“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.” Acts 2:1-4 [a] Or languages
6. FESTIVAL OF TRUMPETS
Marked the beginning of ten days of consecration and repentance before God. It points to the Rapture of the Church. However, it does not point to a specific date or time because Jesus said,
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Matthew 24:36
“According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17
7. THE DAY OF ATONEMENT
Signifies atonement from sin, a covering. It points to Christ’s atoning death on the cross.
“God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.” Romans 3:24-26
8. FESTIVAL OF TABERNACLES
Celebrated God’s provision in the wilderness.
God said,
“On the first day you are to take branches from luxuriant trees—from palms, willows and other leafy trees—and rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days. Celebrate this as a festival to the Lord for seven days each year. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come; celebrate it in the seventh month. Live in temporary shelters for seven days: All native-born Israelites are to live in such shelters 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 23:40-43
These flimsy booths serve as a reminder to Israel that they once dwelled in makeshift huts during the forty years of wanderings in the Wilderness. It was a harsh environment and they were totally dependent on the Lord. Yet during that time, God was ever faithful to provide water, manna, quail, and every other thing they needed to sustain them in the barren desert.
This pointed to Christ as our provision.
Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” John 6:32-33
In His Love, Cindy
Sources: Jeremiah Study Bible Notes, Gotquestions.org, ICEJ, and the NIV Bible
To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic
The Lord appeared to Abram and said, … “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you…” Genesis 17:7 (emphasis mine)
Photo by Artem Labunsky on Unsplash
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