A post from a few weeks ago titled, “Calendars and the Number 7,” described the Jewish calendars along with the adjustments to accommodate the difference between lunar and solar (Gregorian) timetables. These adjustments were made to keep the seasons in their designated times of the year. Understanding of the Hebrew calendars is essential for understanding the times established by God detailed in the His 7 Feasts (Leviticus 23) which are often misunderstood to be Feasts of the Jews. However, God emphatically stated in Leviticus 23:2 that these were His feasts that He designed for the Jews to observe and learn about Him.
Leviticus 23:1-2 :
23 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘The feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts. (NKJV)
These feasts are more than just a series of cultural observances and special foods or festive occasions. Some have no foods connected to them and others are very somber in tone. The Hebrew word, moedim (appointments) has more of the meaning of “solemn appointed times.” These feasts are set times for the Jewish people to stop working and meet with the Lord. Some are appointed days and some are appointed weeks. Collectively, the Feasts of God form the divine appointment calendar for the chosen people of God to spend intentional time with Him (Isaiah 33:20). What a beautiful gift from God!
The timing of the feasts are connected to Israel’s spring and fall agricultural seasons, which continues to this day. The civil calendar is based on the Jewish agricultural season and begins with the month of Tishri (September and October). This season starts with the early rains that soften the ground for plowing, followed by the sowing of wheat and barley in November and December. The winter rains in December and January keep the ground moist so that the harvests can occur at their designated times. The spring, or later rains, occur in March and April followed by the dry season which is from April/May to September/October.
God revealed His plan for mankind by the details of the feasts which provide not only historical teachings and spiritual implications but also prophetic applications. In essence, these 7 Feasts of God convey His program laid out for us to know what His Son is doing in the world.
The 7 feasts occur in two different groups: the spring feasts and the fall feasts. This brings us back to the sacred Hebrew calendar, which starts in the month of Nisan (March/April) as compared to the secular (civil) calendar that starts with Tishri, which is the 7th month on the sacred calendar (Exodus 12:1-3). Clear as mud, right? That’s how it was for me initially, but it gets easier to follow over time.
This separate grouping (some Biblical scholars separate Shavuot out as its own group) is significant and the timing between the feasts is important. The spring feasts outline the events surrounding Jesus Christ’s first coming, whereas the fall feasts describe future events surrounding His second coming. Jesus came first as the Lamb of God (spring feasts), but He has yet to come as the Lion of Judah (fall feasts). Each feast will be briefly described in Part II of the Introduction. Later posts will break each feast down in greater detail, starting with the fall feasts, since they are right around the corner.
Worthy and important to note is how these sacred days are to be approached. Having a heart devoted to God is at the very core of these holidays —> holy days. Much like many Christians observance of Christmas and Easter, the ancient Hebrews and Jewish people today have erroneously equated the keeping of the holy days with securing righteousness before God. For others, it is all about traditions. Slipping into a synagogue on an appointed feast day is equivalent to Christians who attend church only on Easter and Christmas (aka, the C & E’ers). We would be wise to remember that God rebuked Israel for keeping the external requirement (the Law) in lieu of a personal relationship with Him.
God does not hate these holidays but does hate the hypocritical way they were (and are) kept (Isaiah 1:13-14; Amos 5:21). Our emphasis on Santa Clause, bunnies and dyed eggs over the birth, death and resurrection of our Messiah mirrors the unhealthy pattern of observance by the Hebrews and modern day Jewish people. We can enjoy the fun and traditions that became affiliated with these holy days as long as they remain in proper perspective. Jesus made plainly known to us by quoting the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 6:4-6) that the greatest commandment of all is a heart relationship with God (Matthew 22:37-38). This should take precedence above all else. God warns that ritualistic keeping of these appointed times will not gain acceptance in His sight. We cannot earn righteousness. Our righteousness comes only from faith in the Lord Jesus (2 Peter 1:1).
More to this point, these feast days are shadows which prophetically point to the person and work of the Messiah (Colossians 2:16-17), from Calvary to the Messianic Kingdom. Jesus is the source in substance; the holy days are merely shadows of His mark on history. Satisfaction comes not from the shadows, but in fully embracing Jesus as the Messiah. He is the fulfillment of the feasts. Yeshua is the very reason for their existence.
God provided a written record in the Hebrew Scriptures of foreshadows of the Messiah to enable the Jewish people to recognize Him when He appeared. Sadly, the powerful and corrupt Jewish leadership in Jerusalem rejected Him for themselves and for the nation of Israel (Matthew 27:1-3). The other day while listening to an interview of Erez Soref, president and CEO of One for Israel, he stated that when Israel became a state in 1948, there were an estimated 23 Jewish believers in Jesus in the entire country, with zero churches or congregations. Over most of the 75 years since, the remnant in Israel has been almost unrecognizable. He said that number in recent years has been rapidly growing exponentially with over 30,000 Jewish believers attending over 300 churches and congregations in Israel.1 As exciting as this awakening is, a statistic on the One for Israel website reports that 99% of Israeli Jews do not have a relationship with Jesus. They contend that Jesus is still the best kept secret among the Jewish people. Prayers for our Jewish brethren and for peace of Jerusalem are greatly needed and coveted.
In closing, the 7 Feasts of the Lord are God’s appointed times during which He will meet with His people for holy purposes. When completed, the seven holidays will bring this current age to a triumphant end and usher in the Golden age to follow. The prophet Micah was shown this by God and informs us that every man will sit under his own fig tree in safety (Micah 4:4). This does not imply boredom or lack of activity, but rather completion and satisfaction. In that time, every good thing we could desire will come to fruition in Christ Jesus.. The return of Jesus and the age to come is our hope, dear friends (1 Thessalonians 2:19). Our struggles of today pale in comparison to the glory of the Lord that will be revealed (Titus 2:13). Hallelujah and Amen!
1Interview with Erez Soref on the Land and the Book; aired on July 29, 2023.
